Do all HD channels have Surround Sound?

[dlt4]

Just wondering if all channels broadcast in HD also broadcast w/Surround Sound. I currently don't have surround speakers, but knowing how many channels are broadcast with 5.1 might influence whether or not I install them.

[Indiana627]

Most are 5.1, but some are just 2.0.

[LameLefty]

I can't say that all of them do, but most primetime network programs and premium channel movies are broadcast in DD 5.1.

[smiddy]

I think as said previously, some are 5.1 and others are 2.0. I wonder if Sixto has added that to his list?

[PoitNarf]

Whether something is broadcast in 5.1 depends more on the show than the channel. I'm pretty sure all HD channels on DirecTV output 5.1 surround for at least one of the programs they broadcast.

[tcusta00]

Good point, PoitNarf - My Name is Earl was not broadcast in 5.1 last night, I noticed... I believe the other NBC shows last night were though - and I know NBC does broadcast in 5.1 for other shows.

[cartrivision]

Whether something is broadcast in 5.1 depends more on the show than the channel. I'm pretty sure all HD channels on DirecTV output 5.1 surround for at least one of the programs they broadcast.

And in fact, on some of the prime time network shows, I can see my home theater receiver drop out of 5.1 mode during the commercials and the non-program network promos. Similar thing for the premiums like HBO. It won't kick into 5.1 mode until after the "The following program is rated....." bumper ends and the actual movie starts.

[bruinfever]

A lot of the broadcast HD channels have some programs in 5.1 but many that are not. I don't think CNN HD is in 5.1 nor should it be!

[dlt4]

I guess technically I used two different terms in my original post. Surround Sound, I think normally means Dolby Surround, which is four channels, as opposed to DD 5.1. From the replies it looks like it's either 5.1 or 2 channels. Correct?

[mcbeevee]

For HD programming on local channels, you are at the mercy of your local station's equipment. Only 2 of my 4 local networks have DD5.1 capability. :(

[tonyd79]

Good point, PoitNarf - My Name is Earl was not broadcast in 5.1 last night, I noticed... I believe the other NBC shows last night were though - and I know NBC does broadcast in 5.1 for other shows.

If you were watching WBAL, they do not do 5.1.

Even if a network broadcasts in 5.1 it doesn't mean the local affiliate passes it through.

[EricRobins]

I do not know the definition of HD, but don't the HD specs "require" DD5.1?

[PoitNarf]

I do not know the definition of HD, but don't the HD specs "require" DD5.1?

Nope, Dolby 5.1 is not a requirement of HD broadcasts. It is listed as one of the supported audio formats though.

[machavez00]

spike runs CSI 2.0

[CCarncross]

DD IS one of the requirements for HD, 5.1 channels is not. If you buy any modern surround sound setup, DD2.0 can be set automatically be decoded as DPLii or even iix depending on nice a setup you buy.

For instance in my area, 2 of the big 4 networks are DD5.1, the other 2 are only DD2.0.

You'll find the same mix among some of the many HD channels offered by Directv as well.

[bonscott]

My AVR says Dolby Digital on some channels when really they are only 2 channel digital depending on the show. The tonight show is in HD says Dolby Digital but really is only broadcasting in 2 channel nothing to my surrounds. Also I have seen baseball games in hd say dolby digital with the same result.

[tcusta00]

If you were watching WBAL, they do not do 5.1.

Even if a network broadcasts in 5.1 it doesn't mean the local affiliate passes it through.

Hmmm, I must have remembered incorrectly then. Where do you find out what the local affiliates are broadcasting?

[tonyd79]

Hmmm, I must have remembered incorrectly then. Where do you find out what the local affiliates are broadcasting?

Been talked about many times in local forum on avsforum.com.

[joed32]

Just wondering if all channels broadcast in HD also broadcast w/Surround Sound. I currently don't have surround speakers, but knowing how many channels are broadcast with 5.1 might influence whether or not I install them.

Get the speakers, you won't regret it!

[tcusta00]

Been talked about many times in local forum on avsforum.com.

Thanks

[mva5580]

There are 2 very easy ways to determine whether or not a program is being broadcast in TRUE DD 5.1:

1) Your receiver will specifically state DD 5.1 as the output. Obviously the easiest way to tell.

2) The voice is coming out of the center speaker and center speaker ONLY. If voice is coming out of all speakers, it's not true 5.1 surround sound.

[Jables]

My AVR says Dolby Digital on some channels when really they are only 2 channel digital depending on the show. The tonight show is in HD says Dolby Digital but really is only broadcasting in 2 channel nothing to my surrounds. Also I have seen baseball games in hd say dolby digital with the same result.

As noted above, Dolby Digital != 5.1 surround. Dolby Digital is an encoding method - it can be mono, stereo, etc.

[gfrang]

I guess technically I used two different terms in my original post. Surround Sound, I think normally means Dolby Surround, which is four channels, as opposed to DD 5.1. From the replies it looks like it's either 5.1 or 2 channels. Correct?
DD5.1 is 6 discreet channels 5 speakers plus the .1 which is the sub wolfer
DD2.0 is two channels i use Dolby pro logic ll x to get 6.1 sound.

[JerryElbow]

Hey, even if not all of the shows you like are in 5.1 surround, you still won't regret moving up to a better sound system that includes surround sound. Most regular movie DVDs and Blu-Ray movie discs have 5.1 or 7.1 surround on them and 2.0 channel sources (whether from the TV, DVD, radio or CD) can be mixed up to surround sound by most modern A/V receivers. Plus, even if you only listen to 2.0 channel, any halfway decent-sounding external speakers are going to sound better than virtually any speakers built in to any TVs. Just being external allows you better place them for optimal stereo separation too. I've had HD tvs for several years now and I've basically always turned the internal speakers entirely off and never regretted it.

[fineware]

DD2.0 is two channels i use Dolby pro logic ll x to get 6.1 sound.

SNY HD actually comes over as DD2.0 / PLII, as do some others.

[GregLee]

I guess technically I used two different terms in my original post. Surround Sound, I think normally means Dolby Surround, which is four channels, as opposed to DD 5.1. From the replies it looks like it's either 5.1 or 2 channels. Correct?
3 channels is also possible --- MGMHD often uses that. The channels are left, right, and surround.

As others have noted, many receivers will upconvert to 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, or whatever number of speakers you have available, but you will hear little if any surround effect unless the extra surround channels were encoded in the original signal. If they were, the decoded surround can sound very good, whether it's DD or not. OTOH, a DD multichannel signal will sometimes have no surround at all.

[harsh]

I'm pretty sure all HD channels on DirecTV output 5.1 surround for at least one of the programs they broadcast.I'm pretty sure that you would be wrong. There are a few HD channels that have no HD content and while 5.1 is not limited to HD, SD content offers a far smaller percentage of 5.1 programming.

Many have noted that even when programming is indicated to have 5.1 audio, there may be no sound on some channels (assuming a properly configured receiver).

[gfrang]

Channels like A&E,Bio and History are DD2 most other are DD5.1.Sd usually are pcm48 unless they are movie channels.MHD is DD2 or DD5.1. These are just examples i can't think of all the channels.

[dlt4]

Hey, even if not all of the shows you like are in 5.1 surround, you still won't regret moving up to a better sound system that includes surround sound. Most regular movie DVDs and Blu-Ray movie discs have 5.1 or 7.1 surround on them and 2.0 channel sources (whether from the TV, DVD, radio or CD) can be mixed up to surround sound by most modern A/V receivers. Plus, even if you only listen to 2.0 channel, any halfway decent-sounding external speakers are going to sound better than virtually any speakers built in to any TVs. Just being external allows you better place them for optimal stereo separation too. I've had HD tvs for several years now and I've basically always turned the internal speakers entirely off and never regretted it.

I've got a nice audio system, and I've had surround before, but not with D*. My quandry is that I'm only going to be in this house for about four years, so I don't know if I want to spend the money to have the speakers installed, which won't be an easy task due to the structure of the attic.

Thanks to everybody for the input.