When do 7.1 speakers come out?

[eLiu]

We know Herc Game Theatre XP supports 7.1...so when does 7.1 come out?

 

[NWRMidnight]

Where did you get that info at about the Hercules Game Theater XP? I have one, and from what all documentation says, and from looking at all the input/output plugs, it only suports up to 5.1.

Regards,

Daniel

 

[Metropolis2000]

I don't know much about the gaming arena but as for DVD's there are only a handful of titles that are 6.1 nevermind 7.1 (you do realize you'd need 8 speakers for the full 7.1 effect). There are a few home theater receivers that handle 7.1 surround (Denon AVR-5800, Onkyo TX-DS989) but they cost about $2,500 - $3,000 each.

 

[MichaelD]

MHO, but 7.1 speakers for a PC is a waste of money. Notice I didn't say "overkill". Some folks would say having a 400watt set of PC speakers (Klipsch PM 4.1s) is overkill, but some like it loud and clear.

The reason I think it's a waste is because the whole idea behind the 7.1 HOME THEATER surround sound system is to have complete and utter positional immersion in the movie you are watching. Being that we sit right on top of the viewing point, the only real way to even have decent 5.1 would be to mount the speakers equidistant from your ears...that would take some creative mounting.

In Home Theater, the extra set of surrounds goes immediately to your left and right, supposedly enabling better "surround" sound or positional audio. I.E. a gunshot coming from your immediate right sound like it's from your immediate right rather than to the right and behind you like in Dolby 5.1.

7.1 is just making it to the mainstream HT market. 7.1 receivers with any decent amount of power are hideously expensive (for my wallet anyway!) and you have to make sure they are voice-matched if you're adding them to an already existing system. Not worth it at this time.

I'm sure the technology will trickle down to the PC.

I've watched a DVD in Dolby 5.1 on my bud's PC. It sounded OK...no way can it compare even the slightest to my modest (3K, including the TV) home theater. For someone who either lives in a dorm, or a studio apartment and doesn't have a living room for a home theater, I guess PC HT is better than nothing. But 7.1? Not recommended at this time. Just my opinion. Thanks for listening. 🙂

 

[eLiu]

HGTXP doesnt support 7.1?? Hmm...I thought it did...doh

I'm wondering b/c when it does come out for PC...my dad will want it...in which case I'll get the 5.1's. So...i'm tryin to figure out whether to wait with this set of 5 year old 2.1's...or to go ahead and get some 4.1's...like FPS2000 or BA4800 (must...have...complete...gaming...experience...😀).

-eric

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

i really don't understand why people want to use their pc's as ht entertainment centers. It simply doesn't work. In order to get the full experience you need a good fptv or rptv. A decent receiver with dolby digital and dts decoding. You then need plenty of power coming from the receiver or a good amp. Then you need some good front speakers and some nice surrounds. You'll also want a good center channel for clear dialogue. To top it all off you want a nice sub that can go pretty low and stay a little tight, but not too tight (some prefer the boomy subs for movies). You wuold also need a good dvd and vcr setup.

 

[nortexoid]

it's fine to use a computer as a home theatre system...

u dont' have to use computer speakers or a monitor for audio and video output however...

i believe the gtxp uses two 2 channel out, but i'm not sure if u could actually use it due to lack of driver support...i beleive there's rumor of potential driver support later, but as of now, u'd have to use an external decoder capable of handling 7.1 via digital out of the gtxp (or any card sporting digital out).

7.1 computer speakers are pointless...u could get a 7.1 theatre setup, or combine speakers to create 7.1...