blu-ray vs DVD audio over stereo

[MacinMan]

Hey guys,
I have a couple questions here concerning an apartment setup.
1. for the sake of space and not disturbing neighbors I don't want to go all out on a whole new audio setup because i'd never enjoy it in full due to having to keep the volume down most of the time.

My current living room setup

Panasonic 42" Plasma
Sony BDP-S570 blu-ray player.
a 7 year old Panasonic home theater in a box.
The panasonic HTIB only supports true 5.1 surround with the built in 5 disc changer only. However, it supports red and white stereo inputs from external devices. In addition to this it will allow dolby pro logic and other virtual surround modes to such inputs. Currently I'm just getting BD audio via the tv speakers with HDMI. Will i get decent sound by connecting the stereo out from the bd player to the htib in? and set pro logic on? or another surround mode? the sony downmixes bd audio to surround by default. I figured 2.1 would be better then tv speakers anyway left right and the sub. anyway the tv has pretty good sound for the speaker size.

Thanks for the feedback!

Clint

[BIslander]

Yes, the stereo output to your surround system will likely sound better. Downmixing using Dolby Surround produces four discrete channels, with the center and a mono surround folded into the stereo feed. ProLogic extracts the two additional channels.

[MacinMan]

Originally Posted by BIslander

Yes, the stereo output to your surround system will likely sound better. Downmixing using Dolby Surround produces four discrete channels, with the center and a mono surround folded into the stereo feed. ProLogic extracts the two additional channels.

Thanks so much for the feedback, I have noticed a nice difference via a 2.1 setup with this unit. The tv speakers are ok, they're just small and close together so the range isn't as wide. I have the sony BDP-S570 for the blu-ray player in this setup. I also use it for netflix and youtube streaming. While i'd be willing to upgrade to a new av receiver I just don't see the point as an apartment limits how loud i can turn the amp so it eliminates true theater sound experience. The other thing is does the sony output surround from netflix movies? or will the streams only be in stereo (even with a surround system available)?

[sinister184]

Originally Posted by MacinMan

Hey guys,
I have a couple questions here concerning an apartment setup.
1. for the sake of space and not disturbing neighbors I don't want to go all out on a whole new audio setup because i'd never enjoy it in full due to having to keep the volume down most of the time.

Clint

Sure everyone loves it when you can really crank your system, but really you don't have to have the volume blaring to enjoy a great set of speakers. I listen at low levels more often than i do "normal" levels. I wouldn't rule out a better setup just because you reside in an apartment. My current setup will be going in my new apartment in two weeks. Plenty of speaker options for lack of space also.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by sinister184

Sure everyone loves it when you can really crank your system, but really you don't have to have the volume blaring to enjoy a great set of speakers. I listen at low levels more often than i do "normal" levels. I wouldn't rule out a better setup just because you reside in an apartment. My current setup will be going in my new apartment in two weeks. Plenty of speaker options for lack of space also.

I agree. so many times i hear folks say they listen to movies at reference level volumes and that's almost deafeningly loud; i don't know how they stand it! i live in a house and rarely do I have that system loud. i like it at a nice comfortable level so there is some impact for effects and whatnot but never blaringly loud. you are correct the OP should not deny himself a nice setup just because he lives in an apartment. the two channel stereo down mix or true stereo is just fine. if your player has dedicated stereo outputs even better as the mix is done with you having to do nothing in the player menu, like my oppo 83, it has a dedicated stereo output and i don't have to tell it to downmix it as the stereo is downmixed and always available no matter what i am playing. remember, with a good setup, you won't have to have it blasting for it to sound good!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by sinister184

Sure everyone loves it when you can really crank your system, but really you don't have to have the volume blaring to enjoy a great set of speakers. I listen at low levels more often than i do "normal" levels. I wouldn't rule out a better setup just because you reside in an apartment. My current setup will be going in my new apartment in two weeks. Plenty of speaker options for lack of space also.

Agreed! +1 for you!

It is a complete misnomer to think that better equals louder (Loudness Wars anyone?). Lower volume from a good system is far superior to louder volume from a weak system. Don't let living in an apartment/condo/townhouse deter you from getting the setup that you want.

John