Dave, you wouldn't want to even consider using the parameter menu to change any factory-set parameters of the sound fields until later when you have the basics straightened out. The "straight" setting gives straight 2-channel reproduction from 2-channel sources such as regular CDs or FM(e.g. no use of DPLII to give a surround effect)and 5-channel surround from DVDs without extra processing to the 5 channels. "Effect" would be set if some of the extra processing to either 2 or 5 channel material was wanted.
