Home Surround Sound systems

[poshservices]

I have a PANASONIC home theater sound system.
If I play a DVD, the sound from the system eminates from the 5 speakers but when a TV program is broadcast only 2 of the speakers are active. Is this normal?

[Ethel]

Check the settings on your tv sound. You will have to go into the onscreen menu.

But my guess is that this is normal - the tv programmes are broadcast in stereo, whereas the dvds have surround sound capability,

[licklechap]

I have a 5.1 system too, sound from Sky etc is only in stereo, the new HD boxes will broadcast in 5.1 but for now all is stereo.
When using your system you could also try switching to 'surround' as opposed to 'stereo' - you might get the odd atmospheric sound in the rear speakers but not much when it's just stereo.

[indie_chic]

I have noticed (why am I admitting to this?) that when you watch Star Trek you can hear the ship humming in the rear speakers. Fascinating eh?