Need advice on a new HDTV!

[SNO N YET]

You do not understand, still:
 
Even if you have a DVD player or HD cable box  with optical or coaxial connections to your receiver for surround decoding, some DVDs do not have 5.1 audio and the same goes for cable (or sat) programmes that are broadcast in PCM stereo or DD2.0:
The 997 takes the digital output of your DVD player's audio or cable HD/SD audio output when it is NOT 5.1 (happens quite frequently with cable) and makes it sound like 7.1 using Dolby's PLllx system.

Your 697 may have 7.1 outputs, but aside from from Neo:6 (used in 6.1 systems) or PLll (used in 5.1 systems), you don't have the most current 7.1 sound field processing, sorry. When your DVD or cable box outputs a digital audio signal and its not (more often with cable) 5.1, it will be exactly that with the back surrounds trying to mimic a back channel in mono.  
IF that suits you, fine, but considering your fine selection of HDTV and speakers, I find it difficult to compromise keeping the 697 when for a little more money, the 997 gives you the most current 7.1 processing and more power per channel.  

Well we are going to see how the 697 performs, once hooked up.  I talked to the guys at Flanners and we can return it for the 997 or whatever model if we are not 100% satisfied, long as we don't wait for a month.

My dad is making all the final decisions so we'll see what happens.  I am just his "tech kid"  :wave: We have dropped alot of money in the basement so we'll see what happens.  PICS TO FOLLOW SOON!!!

Thanks for the input! :bow:

[StarvingForHDTV]

What is all this fuss about 7.1?  Have any DVDs or other products been made which support 7.1 distinct channels of audio?  Frankly, all of that "upconversion" stuff sounds like marketing fluff to me.  How does one realistically create 7.1 channels from 2?

[gparris]

What is all this fuss about 7.1?  Have any DVDs or other products been made which support 7.1 distinct channels of audio?  Frankly, all of that "upconversion" stuff sounds like marketing fluff to me.  How does one realistically create 7.1 channels from 2?

Maybe until you actually EXPERIENCE  :rolleyes:  2 channels being processed by Dolby Pro Logic llx will you be able to make comments...I have and continue to on my Denon and Sony...thankyou very much!

[Mark Strube]

I just recently switched from a receiver with Pro Logic II to an older receiver which is the old Pro Logic (the PLII receiver died on me)... and it really hasn't made that big of a difference to me. It decodes Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1, and that's what you really want. Only once in awhile will you be watching a 2.0 program that the PLII converts to 5/6/7.1 and say wow, that sounds almost like real 5.1. I'd say it's the equivalent of having a DVD player that upconverts to 720p or 1080i... it makes a small difference, but nothing notable, and it wouldn't make or break a receiver purchase for me (although all the new ones have PLII these days).

Some DVD's are made for 6.1, which adds a center rear channel. (Dobly Digital EX or DTS ES) It helps the directional sound be a bit more specific & enveloping, but it doesn't make as big of a difference as having a center front channel, for example. And unless you are able to set the speakers up exactly the way they're recommended, you might hear mostly the center rear and it could collapse the whole soundfield effect. My room isn't ideal for a 6.1 system, and actually sounds MUCH better when using 5.1. Nothing (in home entertainment) uses any more channels than 6.1 yet (unless it's upconverted by the receiver), as far as I know.

[gparris]

Correction: Dolby PLll uses only the 5.1 and does only a 5.1 surround field for the five speakers and sub...nothing else.  :rolleyes:
Neo: 6 does the back center channel for 6.1, creating an enveloping surround experience to the listener, as with action movies and so on, nothing else.
Dolby PLllx causes a separation with the two back channels, as if it was created that way in the studio. :rock:
Since you cannot experience as much in that room of yours to begin with. you still cannot grasp the quality of a good surround like the PLllx.
Many shows, like Sci-Fi channel has, several non-5.1 network shows, among others, do not broadcast in 5.1, so the Dolby surround features can be a real treat for the listener/owner.  Give it a chance!  

[Mark Strube]

Since you cannot experience as much in that room of yours to begin with. you still cannot grasp the quality of a good surround like the PLllx.
Many shows, like Sci-Fi channel has, several non-5.1 network shows, among others, do not broadcast in 5.1, so the Dolby surround features can be a real treat for the listener/owner.  Give it a chance!  

Eh? Is this toward me? I have a perfect setup for 5.1, where the rear channels are at the side, not the rear, facing the listener. However there's no way I could add a center rear without having it sound like it's collapsing to that, just because of the size & shape of my room.

This allowed me to experience PLII very well, I watched many a show with it, and a couple games on my GameCube take advantage of it. My personal opinion is that it doesn't make a huge difference... the old Pro Logic still sounds good.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Thanks for the explanations.

[SNO N YET]

Started new thread with pics...

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?p=24135#post24135