Say You Will 5.1

[deribish]

Oh my gosh!!!
At first I thought it was a rather lame 5.1 version of the album (WTTCT barely utilizes the center or rear speakers) but Murrow just explodes. You can actaully hear CLEARLY every word spoken during the chorus - comming at you from all directions. An amazing surrond experience!!
-Derek

[strandinthewind]

I am a bit of a computer/audio illiterate. I have a Sony DVD/Home Theatre system that has many speakers and many more settings such as normal surround; cysytex A, B, and C; L and S Hall; L and S House - to name a few. What setting does the new Fleetwood Mac DVD-A work "best" on.

HELP!!!!

[worldturning75]

Unfortunately, Sony doesn't currently support DVD-A. You may have heard about SACD which is Sony's "alternative" multichannel audio only format (whereas DVD-A also supports video in addition to multichannel audio). To simplify, both have higher resolution than standard audio cd's, which means they are supposed to sound better. SACD is also available in stereo. The new Rolling Stones reissues are "hybrid" cd's. They contain both the SACD stereo and the cd standard tracks.

If your home theater is a true 5.1 system (2 front - left and right speakers, 1 center channel speaker, 2 rear - left and right speakers and a subwoofer) and a receiver which decodes Dolby Digital, you'll be able to listen to the Dolby Digital version on the DVD-A disc. Dolby digital is the standard audio format for DVD video. Note that Dolby Digital is a compressed multichannel audio format while DVD-A and SACD are not compressed. It's analogous to mp3 vs. CD. To confuse you even more, there is also DTS which is an alternative compressed audio format to Dolby Digital.

DVD-A and SACD currently only play through the 6 analog outs on a dvd player which supports those formats (there are some exceptions which cost a lot more money). Your receiver would also require 6 analog inputs. The 6 analog inputs and outputs would be 2 front, 1 center, 2 rear and a subwoofer. You would use regular rca type cables to connect them to each other. For regular DVD's, you're using either a coax or optical cable to deliver the signal digitally to the receiver.

There's also a higher resolution stereo version on the disc. I'm not sure if your system would support it though. The settings which you refer to are digital sound enhancements to simulate the audio characteristics of certain types of halls, theaters, rooms etc. and really have nothing to do with whether you can play DVD-A or SACD discs. Hope I didn't confuse you too much.

[DownOnRodeo]

It would be great to have the surround sound and be able to play the DVD-As.

worldturning75 - any ideas on how I would go about setting up for DVD-A from my current PC-based setup. I've got a DVD drive in the PC, then I have an M-Audio Audiophile2496 soundcard, with it's various I/Os. I don't even have the proper speakers at this stage. Would I need to get an amp? I just have a mixer coming out of it at the moment.

[strandinthewind]

Well, now that I am numb with confusion - Here are the "Product Specs Specification" listed with my Sony (HT5500D) Home Theater System with 5-Disc DVD Changer:

Front Power 200 Watts
Center Power 100 Watts
Surround Power 200 Watts
Subwoofer Power 100 Watts
Bandwidth @ Rated Power 20Hz - 20kHz
THD @ Rated Power 0.09%
Dolby® Pro Logic Yes
Dolby® Pro Logic II Yes
DTS Yes
Dolby® Digital Yes
# Digital Inputs 2
# S-Video Inputs 0
# Component Video Inputs 0
Disc Player Formats DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3
Disc Capacity 5-Disc Changer
Front Speaker Type One-Way
Center Speaker Type One-Way
Rear Speaker Type One-Way
Subwoofer Type Bass Reflex

I have the five speakers and the bass speaker. Can you tell from this if I can decode 5.1 and play it in the intended way? I was able to play the Rumors DVD with this system.

Thank you so much worldturning75!!!!!!!!!!!

[worldturning75]

Originally posted by DownOnRodeo
It would be great to have the surround sound and be able to play the DVD-As.

worldturning75 - any ideas on how I would go about setting up for DVD-A from my current PC-based setup. I've got a DVD drive in the PC, then I have an M-Audio Audiophile2496 soundcard, with it's various I/Os. I don't even have the proper speakers at this stage. Would I need to get an amp? I just have a mixer coming out of it at the moment.

I've read that the M-Audio 2496 is a top quality pc based soundcard. I'm pretty sure that the only consumer pc soundcard that currently supports DVD-A is the Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 series of cards (external and internal pc versions). DVD-A player software is included in the accompanying software package. I've got one in my pc and I think it outputs decent sound. I only have a 4.1 speaker setup with my pc though (no center channel) - Klipsch Promedia 4.1. I've heard good things about the Klipsch Promedia 5.1's and the Logitech Z-680's which are also 5.1 setups.

[worldturning75]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
... I have the five speakers and the bass speaker. Can you tell from this if I can decode 5.1 and play it in the intended way? I was able to play the Rumors DVD with this system.

You've been playing the Dolby Digital (5.1) version of the Rumours DVD-A disc, not the DVD-A tracks. You're either using a coax or optical cable (digital connection) to connect to your receiver in order to decode Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic (II) and DTS.

I believe both the Rumours and the SYW DVD-A's contain not only the DVD-A tracks, but also the Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround 2.0 tracks. DVD-A discs are compatible with regular DVD players because of the inclusion of Dolby Digital (standard audio for DVD-Video) and/or Dolby Surround tracks. Remember that Dolby audio encoding is a compressed (a.k.a. lossy) format.

You need a DVD-A capable DVD player and a receiver which has the six analog inputs (2 front, 1 center, 2 surround or rear and a subwoofer). You would see the corresponding 6 analog outputs on the back of the DVD-A capable player too.

You can check to see if your DVD player is SACD compatible. There would be a "DSD" logo (or more likely a Super Audio CD logo) on the front panel of the player as well as the 6 analog outs on the back. DSD stands for Direct Stream Digital (even though you are actually using the analog connections). Hope this helps.

[strandinthewind]

That is a big help. I cannot thank you enough worldturning75!!!!!

[worldturning75]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
That is a big help. I cannot thank you enough worldturning75!!!!!

You're very welcome.

Also, I can't add, it's actually 6 analog in and out connections when you count the subwoofer.

[sara1998]

I think the DVD-A is like listening to a whole different album... I bought all 3 versions yesterday, and couldn't wait to get the
DVD-A in the player... I'm still in shock that this is our Fleetwood Mac... they are just wonderful!

A light for me in one of my darkest hours....
I am so greatful for this album.

Maria

[strandinthewind]

The 5.1 is the coolest in sound. On Everybody Finds Out, the hectic strings sound at the end absolutely echos around my entire den, utilizing all the speakers. Wow!!!!!!!!!

[jwys_soapbox]

Also, there are extra backing vox during the chorus os Thrown Down.

John

[wondergirl9847]

HOLY CRAPOLA!! Murrow!!! There is an extra guitar part that I didn't hear on the album and don't get me started on the AWESOME sound of the freaky chorus...you can hear the words "Murrow had a child...damn thing went wild"!!! WICKED!!

[SpyNote]

I am just loving all this extra stuff on the DVD Audio release! In addition to "new" backups on Thrown Down (btw, is that Sharon/Mindy or Sheryl?), Destiny Rules has an extra chorus!

Daniel

[estranged4life]

to purchase the DVD-A of "Say You Will"...So don't shoot me y'all...LOL...Brian "Murrow" J.