Question regarding codecs on Marantz NR-1501

[JoeDeeze]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if somebody with expertise in codecs might help me understand how my speakers would handle specific source material. Right now I'm running a 5.1 setup, but I want to upgrade to 7.1. I use my setup for 70% videogames (can't wait for PS4, boycott XBOX ONE!) and 30% blus. Basically I'm wondering what to expect when I play 5.1 material given the supported codecs.

My receiver, Marantz NR1501, supports:
DTS: HD Master & High Res. Audio/ES/96/24/ Discrete & Matrix6.1/ Neo:6
Dolby: True HD/Digital Plus&EX/ Pro Logic IIx

So, what would happen with the back two channels when playing a 5.1 videogame or blu-ray if my system was a 7.1 setup? Would the same sounds come out of the back two channels given the matrix 6.1? I am basically hoping that my receiver will push sounds from the SL to BL and SR to BR. What should I expect?

Thanks guys!

[JoeDeeze]

Well, I guess I wouldn't have to use the matrix 6.1. Dolby Pro logic IIx would just keep the 5.1 in tact, and push the the surround sound to the back, no?

[Canada]

So, what would happen with the back two channels when playing a 5.1 videogame or blu-ray if my system was a 7.1 setup? Would the same sounds come out of the back two channels given the matrix 6.1? I am basically hoping that my receiver will push sounds from the SL to BL and SR to BR. What should I expect?

If you use a the basic default 5.1 mode on your receiver, your back surround speakers would output more sound. If you use a matrix neo 6, the receiver will direct sound from either the left or right surround speakers to the left or right back speaker, or so I would think, it would be an educated guess though.

[BIslander]

PLIIx intelligently steers some of the surround content in a 5.1 source to the rear channels, essentially taking sound that would phantom image behind the listener and anchoring it actual speakers.

DTS Neo:6 works much the same as PLIIx, except that Neo:6 produces a mono rear channel that is fed to both speakers while PLIIx produces stereo rears.

Bottom line: you can effectively expand 5.1 sources to 7.1 pretty much all of the time.

[JoeDeeze]

Originally Posted by BIslander

PLIIx intelligently steers some of the surround content in a 5.1 source to the rear channels, essentially taking sound that would phantom image behind the listener and anchoring it actual speakers.

DTS Neo:6 works much the same as PLIIx, except that Neo:6 produces a mono rear channel that is fed to both speakers while PLIIx produces stereo rears.

Bottom line: you can effectively expand 5.1 sources to 7.1 pretty much all of the time.

Great! Thanks man... exactly what I was looking for.

-Joe