What's the point in using Surround Stereo or Surround2 Stereo?

[JohnMK]

I know what they are. I'm curious as to when we're actually getting benefit it, vs. simple stereo. I like many people have a 5.1 PC speaker system. Is it actually doing anything special with the secret extra channel info in Surround and Surround2 stereo encoded movies? How do I make it do that if I want it to?

[ux-3]

Well it does actually depends on your PC and the Progs you run.
If you use a standalone player with a prologic receiver, then yes.

[Tri]

So there is no advantage for simple playback with mediaplayer?

[ux-3]

Well, if you feed the stereo output to a prologic receiver, then yes. If you have a 5.1 Channel Card, then it all depends on the software of the card. The receiver will only amplify those 5.1 channels, but how the stereo is mapped into 5.1 is the realm of the card. Perhaps it has DPL or dpl2. Or tries something similar?

[JohnMK]

Feed, you mean, using one single standard, stereo analog outlet going from the sound card to the single old-fashioned stereo input of the receiver, or do we have to use some special whiz-bang digital means that 95% of us never have access to?

[ux-3]

Dolby Prologic and Dolby Prologic2 are both stereo decoders. They need a stereo signal in order to operate. I have a 5.1 soundcard, hooked to the analog 5.1 input of a prologic2 receiver. I cannot even enable prologic2 (or any other decoding sceme), when using the 5.1 analog input. However, the EAX setting of the soundcard in "movie mode" will deliver sound to all 5.1 channels. So it does some decoding too. If this decoded sound will improve when using dpl1 or dpl2 encoding settings whould require experiment. I don't really watch movies at the PC, but in a standalone. I could however disconnect the center speaker and subwoofer wire and use the card in 4 Speaker mode (Games etc.). The free plug also carries a digital out. If I wire this into my amp, it will either play dolby digital or stereo. And if it receives digital stereo from a svcd, I can enable dpl2 to get good sound. Only that I won't do it that way cause I rather play my games in 5.1 and play movies in the standalone.

[JohnMK]

Basically, for most users, I would now recommend simple stereo mode. I have a 5.1 soundcard, 5.1 speakers w/ decoder, and so do my friends, and none of us can ever get them (surround or surround2)decoded the proper way. It's just taking it as a simple stereo signal. This isn't our problem, it's a problem with the interfaces.

IMO, all guides should be revised to advise stereo, and not surround or surround2. Surround and Surround2 decoded improperly (as they invariably will be) may indeed introduce artifacts.

[ux-3]

Wouldn't this depend heavily on the playback system? If you are going to play back on the PC, then I would rather use DivX and keep the 5.1 Channel audio as it is. However, if I have a standalone with DPL2 Receiver, Surround2 makes much more sense. I wouldn't take a dogmatic approach but supply my specific needs.