These days a lot of movie viewing takes place from digital files sitting on a computer and downloaded from BitTorrent. In this environment, is it worth having a 5.1 type surround sound audio decoder? Do most of the movie files on BitTorrent come encoded as multi-channel surround sound these days? And to output 5.1 digital surround from a computer what does one need? A special sound card? Some kind of surround sound decoder separate attached to the computer via its optical out?
posted by skylar on May 4, 2009 - 11 answers

More and more DVDs are coming encoded with Dolby surround sound and many don't have an alternate Dolby stereo option. The resulting sound has way too much background noise mixed in, making it hard to hear the dialogue. Usually, we turn down the volume and turn on the closed captions. Is there another way or am I forced to spend hundreds on a surround-sound system? [more inside]
posted by parilous on Apr 30, 2009 - 14 answers

How can I use the speakers in my TV as the "center" speaker on my receiver? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Apr 7, 2008 - 11 answers

Old-skool AmpFilter: Who can provide links and/or guidance for us to find manuals / technical info for an older Technics amp and 5-CD changer? [more inside]
posted by lonefrontranger on Jan 6, 2008 - 8 answers

Wireless speakers for a Philips HTS3555 surround sound system? [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Jun 26, 2007 - 2 answers

Help me get a surround sound system! Specific questions and products inside. [more inside]
posted by kingjoeshmoe on May 22, 2006 - 17 answers

Is the DVM audio format actually the same thing as Dolby Digital/AC-3, or does it just use the same WAVE Format ID?
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Awesome on Feb 1, 2006 - 3 answers

I have an audio surround decoder that supports Dolby Pro Logic I and II. (In separate modes.) If it's in Pro Logic II mode, will a Pro Logic I encoded signal still be "correctly" decoded?
posted by Mwongozi on Nov 29, 2004 - 2 answers

I'm getting the new iMac in the mail on Tuesday, and I want to watch DVDs on it. I'd like to buy a set of 5.1 Surround Sound speakers for it, but as far as I can tell, you can't really just buy a set of speakers and plug them into the headphone jack on your computer. Or can you? My main interest in 5.1 Surround Sound is mostly for using the enhanced "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" DVD, so this isn't really that big a deal, but I haven't found a simple setup for 5.1 speakers online.

If this is indeed not possible, what's a good set of Macintosh-usable speakers that cost around two hundred dollars?
posted by interrobang on Nov 21, 2004 - 6 answers

Audionazi-filter: I have just bought a Dolby 5.1 sound system. Please tell me why I should or shouldn't listen to my CDs, recorded in stereo, using all six speakers. [And slightly related: What movies should I rent for their brilliant 5.1 sound?]
posted by meech on Jul 14, 2004 - 18 answers