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.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

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.

It's hard to describe exactly WHAT was different...... but it was a very noticable difference. The entire sound field got a good bit louder.... and it seemed very heavy in the rear of the room..... much more so than just having added sound coming from the rear surrounds.

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

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.

How do you do that? I am looking at the Onkyo 706, Pioneer 1018, and Denon 2309ci, and can't determine which would be best for Matrixing the 5.1 to 7.1 output without destroying the source material.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by krizzz

How do you do that? I am looking at the Onkyo 706, Pioneer 1018, and Denon 2309ci, and can't determine which would be best for Matrixing the 5.1 to 7.1 output without destroying the source material.

I don't know about other receivers. However, on my Denon 4308CI, this is the procedure.

• Go to the main menu of the receiver.
  
• Select PARAMETERS
• Select AUDIO
• Select SURR. PARAMETERS
• Select SB (Surround Back) OUTPUT.
• The otions are:
  • PL IIx Cinema
  • PL IIx Music
  • Off

The above is different than going to the main menu and picking the SURROUND MODE, where you select Standard, Direct, Widescreen, Jazz Club, etc.

[callas01]

Based on what Robin is describing, it sounds like it is adding the speakers to the soundfield, but they are actually virtual speakers and not a true matrixing.