VegasVec,
Just to clarify things a bit: 7.1 channels is not a "standard" mixing format for movie soundtracks. 99% of movies are mixed for 5.1 channels, in studios and mixing theaters with the surrounds on the side walls. That is how the director and the sound mixer hear the playback as they adjust levels in the final mix, and that's ideally the goal of home theater soundtrack reproduction--to mimic what you'd hear in a Dolby Digital theater. Dolby Digital 5.1 is also the standard format for High Definition TV.
Logic7, the music and movie format exclusive to H/K and Lexicon does decode 7.1 channels if you connect the additional surrounds, as does Dolby ProLogic IIx, the newest version of Dolby Pro LogicII, even if you feed it a 2-channel source.
A few movies are mixed in 6.1 channels and depending on the room size and installation, you may hear marginal improvements with a 7.1-channel install. In large rooms, the additional surround channels deliver better overall coverage for viewers throughout the room.
Regards,
