Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

[Court_vision]

I just this evening...finally...got my 360 hooked up to a true Dolby Digital 5.1 surrond sound system and the result is INSANELY GOOD

I mean, all my games have sprung to life...I can hear dudes yelling in the back seats in NBA games behind me...hecklers in Fight Night screaming from the cheap sheats while I take a loud punch in the front speaker...sound from EVERYWHERE coming at me in Gears of War.

Everyone talks about standard TV to HDTV as being the big thing...

When I went up to HDTV...yeah, I was blown away...

But man, going up to true 5.1. sound is even better...these games come alive like modern day action movies...there's sound everywhere and it's pivotal to the game / the gaming experience.

Anyone still using basic stereo / tv etc like I was...upgrade ASAP if you can. The difference is night and day

[mudtiger]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

For me personally, because you could do 5.1 with the 1st xbox. So 5.1 on the 360 isn't new to me

[Court_vision]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

I know the xbox had some 5.1 games...Halo was 5.1, right?

I didn't think the majority were?

If they were...man did I miss out

I know a lot of guys running 360's through their TV sound...mainly because you need Optical for surround on a 360 and a lot of the cheap / basic surround sound sets up's don't have optical in / out.

HDTV's have nice sound, but 5.1 is a whole world apart.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

I know a lot of guys running 360's through their TV sound...mainly because you need Optical for surround on a 360 and a lot of the cheap / basic surround sound sets up's don't have optical in / out.

HDTV's have nice sound, but 5.1 is a whole world apart.

The 360 has an optical out? I'll have to let my brother know. I've got two optical's in use from my satellite receiver and DVD player and its a nice improvement over the standard white and red composite cables. My Yamaha surround sound seems even better.

[born_bad]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

All the Xbox games I played, I played in 5.1, so it wasn't anything new.

[Blzer]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

Isn't there such thing as 7.1 now? Or did I imagine it?

Perhaps it's the equivalent of 720p/1080i to 1080p (when upgrading from 5.1 to 7.1). Of course, I could just be imagining it.

[mudtiger]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

Isn't there such thing as 7.1 now? Or did I imagine it?

Perhaps it's the equivalent of 720p/1080i to 1080p (when upgrading from 5.1 to 7.1). Of course, I could just be imagining it.

5.1 is left, center, right, 2 rear speakers, and the .1 is the sub.

7.1 is left, center, right, right surround, left surround, 2 rears, and the .1 sub

The 2 new surrounds go to the right and left of your sitting position. It does make for a more enveloping sound, but it's not a huge jump up.

[mjb2124]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

7.1 is just 2 more speakers. Unless the room is very large, it really isn't necessary. There is also 6.1 (one more speaker). It's not really the equivalent of 720P/1080I to 1080P IMO.

5.1



7.1




I agree with court_vision that a good surround sound setup is a must have with an HDTV.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

Congrats on making the Surround Sound jump. If you really want to enjoy your gaming experience I recommend picking up Condemned if you haven't already. This game makes excellent use of Surround Sound, combined with playing @ night IMO still gives you the best 360 experience to date.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

5.1 is old and was on last gen. That is why no one talks about it.

[Artman22]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

Can all the speakers be set up on the walls on the top corners except the sub or do they have to be mid level the ground?

[tanis38]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

I know the xbox had some 5.1 games...Halo was 5.1, right?

I didn't think the majority were?

If they were...man did I miss out

I know a lot of guys running 360's through their TV sound...mainly because you need Optical for surround on a 360 and a lot of the cheap / basic surround sound sets up's don't have optical in / out.

HDTV's have nice sound, but 5.1 is a whole world apart.

You did miss out man, because all Xbox games supported 5.1 At least all the ones I played and I played quite a few.

Yes, adding a surround set-up can add just as much to a game as HD visuals can. Combine the two and you are in gaming bliss.

I'm currently shopping for a new home theater set-up, because I've had my 5.1 set-up and receiver for about 10 years now and it is not sounding as impressive as it once did.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

Can all the speakers be set up on the walls on the top corners except the sub or do they have to be mid level the ground?

The need to be "ear level" for best resutls. The sub can be put anywhere in the room. Now, you can put them up on the corners but the need to be aimed toward your ears.

[tanis38]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

The need to be "ear level" for best resutls. The sub can be put anywhere in the room. Now, you can put them up on the corners but the need to be aimed toward your ears.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend having them on the corners up on top either. Having the left and right speakers all the way in the corners also seem to have them way too far apart (as well as too high)

[Court_vision]

Re: Next gen : why do we all talk about HD and not 5.1?!

The 360 has an optical out? I'll have to let my brother know. I've got two optical's in use from my satellite receiver and DVD player and its a nice improvement over the standard white and red composite cables. My Yamaha surround sound seems even better.

Yeah, it's right there on your HD cord. I.e the one that you need for the 360 to have HD...it's got an optical out on it also.

Seems like I'm late to the party...when I had my xbox, I just had it connected to two old speakers. And to think, i thought it sounded great

True surround is soooooooooo much better.