I knew there was a reason I joined this forum what with all that knowledge floating around out there. a nifty trick, surround. it certainly helps eliminate a mess of connects. After going through my collection of LD's I only have about a dozen that are AC-3 and most of those I own on dvd anyway so I am pondering the hook-up now. But I appreciate the info and know what to do if I decide to go ahead. Another question has arisen though. If you have a 7.1 setup and you are playing source material that is only 6.1, does the signal to the two back speakers get split evenly between them? I know it is a pretty basic question but I am still learning. And by the way, the 950 is one awesome processor. This was my first exposure to DTS and words fail me in describing it. Watching the opening scene of Gladiator was a totally new aural esperience. I am only using the 950 for theater sound and no matter what I played the sound was very rich and dynamic. And I haven't even calibrated by speakers yet (can't find a damn SPL meter anywhere in the Akron area) The Outlaws should be proud of this unit. And thanks again for all the help.