Just wondering if matrix encoded stereo sources can be decoded by the 950 in a way so that the 6.1 or 7.1 (rear surrounds) are active?

I watch DirecTV as much as DVD and they seldom transmit in anything except Dolby Digital 2.0 or PCM, most stuff being matrix surround encoded.

The closest you can come is activating Cirrus Surround with ProLogic II engaged.

It does cause a funky rear soundfield though because the dialog starts leaking into the back surround channels (why CS is pulling stuff from the front channels when used with PL II is beyond me), where in straight PL II mode there is almost zero dialog leakage (at least much better than classic PL).

You aren't really getting any kind of 7.1 processing since the best the Model 950 can do is split mono back channels (6.1). It does not have features like Lexicon's Logic7 or THX Ultra 2 to create a 7.1-like experience from stereo and 5.1 sources.

Dan

I saw the DTS articles on Neo:6 and they infer that there is 6.1 decoding in that, or 5.1, and so it isn't clear if 6.1 decoding is a requisite part of Neo:6......

Yup, Neo:6 can give you up to 6.1 matrix decoded channels from a 2-channel source: the usual 3 channels across the front plus left surround, right surround and back surround channels.

Sanjay

[This message has been edited by sdurani (edited September 07, 2002).]

Ahh yes - I should read the manual more carefully - page 12 has the answer.

Has anyone tried it? How did it work?

Also, if I read correctly DTS discrete still cannot use any matrixing to extract center rear from 5.1 material? There is no CES listed in conjunction with the DTS modes....

Charlie, I've tried Neo:6, though not on the Outlaw 950. I can't say I'm a fan. I much prefer PL II. You're right: Dolby digital allow you to extract the centre rear channel using either EX processing or CES processing; the 950 doesn't offer that sort of flexibility with DTS soundtracks. Still, you should be able to switch to the DTS-ES mode when listening to non-ES-encoded DTS soundtracks. This way, any common info in the two surround channels will be extracted, sent to the centre rear channel and output through your surround back speakers. Give it a try.

Sanjay

On my Outlaw 950, Cirrus Surround Mode DOES work with DTS 5.1 tracks. Both music and cinema modes.

And, unless a DirecTV track is transmitted in Dolby 2.0, you can use the DTS Neo:6 modes to create 6.1 surround. With Dolby tracks, you have to use DPL2 for surround decoding.

I use both DPL2 and Neo:6 all the time with DirecTV and continue to be surprised at how good the results are.

Not having the 950, I was going by the instruction manual. The manual specifically mentions using CES with DD 5.1 sources and with PL II, but makes no mention of using it with DTS sources. If it can in fact be used with DTS 5.1 soundtracks, all the better.

Sanjay

Well, as a former journalist, let me remind you not to believe everything you read. Er, unless I wrote it, of course.

Seriously, this is one of the areas in which the manual is either vague, mistaken or misleading. Fortunately for us. CES works fine with DTS sources.