Dolby Surround on Sky+ Box

[Glade]

Right... got a sky+ box today and it has left and right channels, and an optical output for a 5.1 surround system. But from what I gather the only 5.1 broadcasts are on the movie channels (which we don't have). We may use Box Office occasionally and this seems to have 5.1.

Will i get some level of surround during topgear/eastenders simulated by dolby pro logic?
I know there are some programs broadcast in "Dolby Surround" - is this better than pro logic, but fewer channels than 5.1.

sorry if that's a vauge question, i'm trying to figure out how it all works!

[_dobbo_]

Loads more Dolby stuff other than the movie channels.

Read thee this list;

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/c...

enjoy!

Edited by _dobbo_ on Sunday 9th March 14:20

[horacethefrog]

Hmmm, not exactly loads, Dobbo, I count 9 and, if you don't subscribe to HD I count none. Pretty pathetic really when you consider ProLogic and it's successors have been around for what, 15 years?

[_dobbo_]

I take your point, it's a limited selection for sure, just not quite as limited as you first thought!

In practice some sort of pseudo effect happens on other channels that I've noticed when I turn on the amp. Often even if it just brings the sub into play it's enough, but the rears will work too - at least they do in my experience, connected with an optical cable.

[Glade]

I'm going to just get a cheap 5.1 system that uses prologic, rather than an expensive system that can do proper 5.1.

Then hopefully a few programs will have surround and the sound will be better than our telly's speakers by default.

Would be nice to get a proper 5.1 system that uses the optical link, but too much ££ for me at the moment.

I can't find any prologic branded systems though...

[rmmackfc]

Separates is the way to go, you can always add new componentry when parts become outdated etc.

In saying that, Denon do an all in one system that comes with speakers etc for peanuts.

[DavidY]

Buy secondhand - there are loads of decent AV receivers on eBay going for peanuts, eg Denon AV3803 around £250-£300, this was £1K 3 years ago!

davidy