I'm confused and potentially ticked off...

[pstj]

Hey everyone!

Ok, I recently bought a dvd drive for the computer (yay!), but I still have to get a 5.1 speaker system - and this won't happen before a loooong time ;). So I'm stuck with my 2.1 speaker system.

Now, of course I want to get a few dvds. And, I'm quite happy, because most of the dvds I want to get have a stereo soundtrack.

But on the next August 6, the Fellowship of the Ring DVD is coming out. According to several websites, this edition is said to have a 5.1 dolby digital soundtrack, but no 2.0 dolby digital in English ! Only in French :(... I'm French speaking, but this is an English movie, so I'm quite disappointed. But Amazon.com says the DVD set will include a 2.0 soundtrack in English. Who's telling the truth?

How can this be? Most DVDs have a 5.1 AND a stereo soundtrack in English! Why would a dvd have only a 5.1 track?

Also, do you think it might be possible to play a 5.1 track through 2.1 speakers? I don't think so, but hey, I have hope...

Well, in any case, the special 4 disc edition coming this november will have a stereo track...

Needless to say, I find it quite frustrating to have only the option of buying the more expensive set!

This being said, I have to go to bed...

pstj :)

[RJ]

This is new to me that DVDs also include a stereo soundtrack. My DVD only have the 5.1 one. 5.1 english and 5.1 german. And the german movie I have has 5.1 german dolby and 5.1 german dts.

If the DVD contains 5.1 sound then I highly doubt it'll contain a stereo sound. There is no problem playing it back on stereo speakers (I don't have a 5.1 surround system either), so don't worry about it :)

RJ

[doctorgonzo]

I think it is a software issue. WinDVD let's you choose between 5.1, four speakers, and stereo sound, regardless of the actual DVD. I am assuming it just routes the channels to the speakers depending on what you select. So if your software DVD player supports this, I don't think you will have a problem.

[alexmacdonald]

you could play the DVD thru a mono setup if you wanted, just wouldnt get the surround effects, same with stereo. It'll work fine. Although why you would watch that movie is beyond me :)

[pstj]

Oh, really? eheheheh... well, thanks for the replies guys! I always though you needed a 5.1 system to play a 5.1 soundtrack. Seems I was wrong (and for once, that's a good thing ;) ).

RJ, most DVDs I saw have a stereo soundtrack, but if you say a 5.1 soundtrack can be played on a 2.0 system, well, as you said, it's pointless...

alexmacdonald... don't get me started on trying to convince you that LOTR is THE best movie ever. I would probably fail anyway ;)

pstj:)

[RJ]

I took a look at my DVDs and only Jurassic Park 1 and 2 had an extra 2.0 soundtrack. The others had all 5.1 (except one that had english 5.1 but german 2.0).
No problem, you can playback 5.1 on a 2.0 system :)

RJ