How to determine if a receiver can matrix a 5.1 audio track into 7.1?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by robinandtami

I'd always read that you couldn't.... so I never even tried it. I did try it last night and you can. However.. it significantly alters the entire sound field. I know when I use Dolby EX to matrix 5.1 Dolby.... the sound itself doesn't really change..... you just get sound out of your rears as well. Using PLIIX to matrix out the PCM the entire sound field was significantly changed. I'm not sure I'd use it..... because to me the whole point of using PCM is to hear the soundtrack as it was originally mixed.

Matrixing the entire PCM sound to Dolby Pro Logic IIx is not a good idea. Dolby PLIIx was originally designed to matrix two channel music into full band-width multi-channels. Some receivers like my Denon 4308ci allow to only matrix the side surround channels into the rear channels. It doesn't touch the front speakers.