same as you gonk,lot's of stereo over the years.
now i enjoy both,with really half-ass video(27" jvc), i just got to upgrade to s-vid!much better than regular(composite),really couldn't believe the difference and i'm told all the stories about dvi and component,but once again AUDIO, maybe one day i'll grow up and do the big screen but until then,i'm jammin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(i do own mostly music dvd's,some do some don't,sound good in dolby digital but that is cured with a push of the button)

BTW i have 2 dvds that come up on my 1050 as dolby digital and pro-logic(both) on the display.
even in 2-channel the icons come up,my ALICE.....UNPLUGGED allows setup on the dvd menu although my GNR does not. i can set the alice to pcm and still have the 1050 come up as digital. strange.i have tried little things such as turn on the rear center even though it's not there yet.also tried(GNR) to run the optical to my CAL SIGMA II through my monarchy DIP but it will not decode it(nasty sound,not even music)but i figure this to be the age of the CAL.that GNR is a bit harsh even with surrounds off.anybody with a clue or easy(low $$$$$) fix?