Its my impression that the 950 senses the type of signals it gets from the dvd. For example, I had DVD's that were also DTS 6.1 but that choice was not available to me but I realized that my DVD player, which is four years old, does not do DTS and could not send that signal.

In the next day or so I will sit down and see if I can set a non DD-EX DVD as DD-EX on the 950 and get sound from the rear speakers. I will post the results. There is a stereo 7 mode that ensures sound out of all speakers but it is 2 channel sound with, I assume, one channel in the right 3 speakers and the other in the left three speakers.

I should mention that when I play a true DD-EX DVD such as Lord of the RIngs TGwin Towers the surround and rear speakers are extraordinarily active at reference levels while at the same time dialog coming out of the center is still easily understandable and clear. This is as much of a function of the 770 as the 950.

For those contemplating going to a 950/770 combo, unless you have a truly great and powerful receiver, will notice a real improvement. I should state that the quality of your surround and rear speaker becomes even more important.

John