Would most movies play in 7.1 surround sound?

Question

I was wondering if movies that play in 5.1 would be able to sound just as good if not better in 7.1 surround sound. Would the extra 2 channels bring more audio or do nothing while only 5 are sending out audio?

Answer 1

Only Blu-Ray can

Answer 2

Only if the movie specifically says it supports 7.1 will it actually use all 7 of your speakers.

No DVD will support 7.1, and right now, only a very small number of blu-ray movies support it.  It's assumed that more blu-rays will come out that support it, but that remains to be seen.

If you play a 5.1 movie on a 7.1 system, you'll only get sound from your front and rear speakers.  I'm not sure if your side speakers will simply mimic the rear speakers or not (I don't think it does...)  Likewise, if you play a DVD that's only in stereo or mono (such as an old TV series) you'll only get stereo or mono out of your system.  Some receivers have a 'fakey surround' mode where they just output the front speakers' sounds from your rear speakers.  You still have a right and left channel, just not a right rear/left rear.

As for 5.1 vs. 7.1 in general, it's going to depend on your ears and your room.  If you have a larger room dedicated to home theater, then you might hear a difference between 5.1 and 7.1.  Personally, I think most peoples' family rooms and theaters are too small to really give them much of a difference.  That said, I went with a 7.1 receiver, but only connected a 5.1 speaker set to it.  I can always upgrade later on if I decide to.

Answer 3

   Now only some Blu-ray movies decoded DTS - HD MA sound format can play 7.1 surround sound. It gives you more sound effect than 5.1 standar.  

Answer 4

Adding to what the previous poster said, if you have a 7.1 system and you play a 5.1 dvd, you can use your systems logic to fill in the 2 extra speakers with sound. This is not just pumping the same signal into the extra speakers. This is actually figuring out on its own to fill those speakers with a bullit wiz or whatever might be flying buy. Its cool stuff.

7.1 mixes are where its at though.