Dolby Digital

[dirtyjeffer]

if the optical cable works fine on your DVD player, it will be fine for your 5900...there must be a setting that is not correct in your 5900, or it isn't working properly...i have two 5900's and get DD just fine (obviously only on shows that are broadcast in DD, like most movies on TMN).

[57]

Originally Posted by dirtyjeffer

The .1 in 5.1 is simply an electronic "filter" that sends all lower frequencies to that output on the receiver to allow a subwoofer to handle the low bass frequencies.

hmm, I thought this was actually a 6th discrete signal. I could be wrong in my thinking...

[ken0042]

Sorry, didn't read everything, but JDG- you did set the Bell receiver to output to Dolby Digital, right?

On my 5900 it's Menu- 6 - 8

[sthuynh]

I get sound with all channels with the optical cable connected to my Denon 3805, PVR 5800. Sound channels will lit up DD and some will not, simply PCM.

[dirtyjeffer]

Originally Posted by 57

hmm, I thought this was actually a 6th discrete signal. I could be wrong in my thinking...

that is why it isn't DD 6.0, because there isn't 6 tracks of audio...however, it would basically give you the same effect...low frequencies are not subject to directional detection, so filtering them off to a dedicated subwoofer is fine...since you can't determine where the low frequency sound is coming from, it doesn't matter if it comes from one of your main 5 speakers, or directed to a subwoofer, hence the 5.1.

[Falcon]

Originally Posted by martynook

I currently have Digital Cable and I was thinking about switching to satellite but I was wondering if Bell ExpressVu has Dolby Digital.

To answer your question in short (after all this disagreement), Yes.

[KSPSlice]

Originally Posted by 57

hmm, I thought this was actually a 6th discrete signal. I could be wrong in my thinking...

this is correct. directly from the dolby labs web site:

"The sound information contained in each of the six available channels is distinct and independent. These six channels are described as a "5.1-channel" system, because there are five full-bandwidth channels with 3 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range for Front Left and Right, Center, and Surround, plus one "Low Frequency Effects" (LFE) subwoofer channel devoted to frequencies from 3 to 120 Hz."

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/techno...y_digital.html

and for more info on the original question:
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/techno..._overview.html
this link describes all of the different types of dolby technologies available. in particular it describes dolby digital as follows:

"Dolby® Digital - Delivers mono, stereo, or up to 5.1 discrete channels of surround sound: Left, Center, Right, Left Surround, Right Surround, and low-frequency effects (LFE). Global standard for DVD-Audio and DVD-Video. Digital audio standard for North American HDTV, digital cable, and DBS systems. Optional audio format for most digital video broadcast (DVB) applications worldwide."

[57]

Thanks KSPSlice for confirming my suspicions.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by dirtyjeffer

the .1 in 5.1 is simply an electronic "filter" that sends all lower frequencies to that output on the receiver to allow a subwoofer to handle the low bass frequencies.

I have to share the suprise that 57 had on this one. When I was in the electronics business in the late 90's, I had it explained that 5.1 was actually 6 channel, and the ".1" had information hard coded for the subwoofer. The only reason it was called 5.1 rather than 6 channel was so people wouldn't confuse a subwoofer as a speaker; because as you correctly pointed out, low sounds that come from the subwoofer are non-directional. (Or at least not significantly by the human ear.)

I also notice that when I am making a backup copy of a DVD, it refers to the 5.1 track as "AC-3 6 Channel"

Edit: I see my post came through after everybody else's. Sorry if it looks like we're ganging up on you; I think we were just all suprised.

[Q]

Would also explain why there is 6 output jacks including a subwoofer on some audio equipment,

[dirtyjeffer]

i stand corrected...being out of the audio/video business for 8 years has taken its toll.

[MarcP]

Originally Posted by joedoe

Would also explain why there is 6 output jacks including a subwoofer on some audio equipment,

That'd be for DTS-ES/Dolby-EX or whatever DSP processing the receiver can do to feed that extra 6th jack on non 6.1 content.

[MarcP]

Originally Posted by Falcon

To answer your question in short (after all this disagreement), Yes.

Let's be clear... Not on the 3100 receiver. You have to get the higher priced PVR or HD receiver.