This is especially true for people who are not planning to install a sixth speaker (which eliminates the work around posted in that thread

Bruin, (you may need to correct me?!...I have never owned a 1050).
The workaround for problem encoded discs was just to [tell] the 1050 you had the 6th speaker, via speaker setup menu (did not need to have one physically).
However you still want to apply the 5.1 S Modes in the encoder ...not the 6.1 which will steer things diffrently.

Lena:

I don't want to repeat the HP thread here, but the creation of a phantom rear surround doesn't work (at least on my 1050) as it goes into 6.1 mode automatically and feeds most of the surround data to a speaker that doesn't exist. I am not the only person with the problem as the thread indicates. While I haven't watched Die another Day on DVD, based on others comments, it may also have a problem.

If someone is watching their pennies, relatively speaking, I would not recommend that they buy the 1050 given what I know today. Six months ago, I would have.

Note: If Outlaw started shipping 1050's with an upgraded processor subsystem such that this problem went away and included PL-II, then I would return to giving the 1050 an endorsement. If they made this availabe to existing 1050 owners (even at some cost) like they did for 950 owners, I would really be enthusiastic.



[This message has been edited by 73Bruin (edited June 13, 2003).]

Bruin's speaking specifically of the Chamber of Secrets disc, which forces Surround 6.1 mode on. Previous problem discs did not enable Surround 6.1.

------------------
gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Just use 6.1 ....

Seriously, the back surround channel REALLY adds a lot to the experience, unless one absolutely cannot make it work I'd highly recommend giving it a whirl. Problem solved.

As for DPL2, it's (IMO) a bandaid that extends the useful life of 2.0 matrixed surround sources, not really the definition of the cutting edge.

The 1050 has a few warts, but the above are (to me) non issues. DPL2 in particular just seems (mostly) to fill a marketing checkbox.

YMMV.

Charlie: You really need to do your homework and read the other thread before posting a reply. Saying just use 6.1 when it doesn't work with 5 speakers for this particular DVD and possibly others is a non answer. - Problem not solved.

This thread is about whether the 1050 is outdated and since most people with a 1050 have purchased it for its HT capabilties and not, at least entirely, its 2 channel sound qualities, I believe the currency of its HT capabilites for various input sources is more than a check list item. IMO, DPL-II is a definite nice to have if you watch a lot of cable where most things are not broadcast in dolby digital. It also works to enhance VHS tapes. Frankly based upon some of the other threads I have seen about the quality of DTS sound vs Dolby Digital, I would gladly trade the 1050's limited DTS capability for DPL-II.

In summary, the 1050 while sounding great for its price point, has problems playing at least one and possibly more popular DVDs in 5.1. There are no valid workarounds with 5 speakers. None of us know how many more DVDs will be released like this. At least, as far as I can find, these problems appear unique to the 1050 which also lacks the ability to use DPL-II to enhance regular cable. Given this, how can you recommend it, without putting in a ton of caveats?

And we are using 5 speakers ... why are we stuck with 5 speakers?

I was just pointing out that (1) DPL2 is mostly irrelevant to DVD/Movie watching, unless one thinks watching TBS is movie watching and (2) a sixth (or seventh) speaker works out fine for a lot of folks and provides added benefit beyond fixing the 6.1 encoding problem.

I don't watch much TV - maybe I'm atypical, but any TV I happen to watch I just don't get too worked up over 'maximum fidelity'.

Two things:

First, you can use the 1050 just fine with only 5 speakers and a sub. There is a previously stated workaround that works for these problematic DVDs. You just need a DVD player that internally decodes DD or DTS, 6 interconnects, and the direct inputs on the 1050. Yes, it's a little extra, but it works.

Second, comparing DTS and DPLII is kinda like comparing apples and oranges. One encodes disrete channels of information while the other interprets surround channels from existing two channel information. Not having DTS on the 1050 would be a huge, at least from the marketing standpoint, flaw while not having DPLII is not as bad. In other words, you can work around the omission of DPLII without giving up too much.

I just have to point out also that the DVDs the 1050 has trouble with, although maybe popular titles, account for probably less than 1% of all released DVDs.

Just one more thing, I, as a perfectly happy 1050 user, would love to see the 1050 updated. Give me all the surround modes you want to plus twin direct inputs with analog bass management and I think Outlaw would have another winner on their hands. Best of all, it would put an end to this thread.

Charlie and Jason:

I remain in disagreement with both of you.

1) While I would love to go to 7 speakers, I have location/size problems adding additional speakers and a WAF that is limiting this as an option.

2) Charlie, I think there is more to HT movie viewing than just DVD. Specifically, I would find DPL-II useful for many of the digital movie broadcasts on the HBO and Showtime families (19 channels not including HDTV) that are not cablecast in Dolby Digital. Ditto with the 6 other digital movie channels I get on TWC.

3) Jason: Your solution has merit but getting a new DVD player such as a Denon 1600 plus the cables would cost more than a new 1050 and only marginally improve the picture quality that I get with my Panasonic RP-56. I would rather use those funds to go back to separates such as the 950/7100 combination.

Well, if everyone agreed all the time life would be pretty boring. In a nutshell, the 1050 works for me and a lot of others. It's not perfect, could stand an upgrade, but IMO is far from completely obsolete. If a person cares about sonic quality and is more interested in movies than TV it is still a budget contender.

It has real design flaws that (IMO) are more pressing than lacking a few surround modes.

For TV / casual movie (VHS/HBO) use other choices might be better. Personally if MSNBC, Bloomberg, Fox News The History Channel, The Weather Channel etc. are not in full DPL2 surround I don't feel I'm missing a lot....