i must say, i am suprised to find that Episode III does NOT have 6.1 on it. wtf is that all about? only 5.1 ??? i know lucas owns THX, but don't they have a 6.1 out yet?

It has Dolby Digital EX, which is 5.1 discrete channels and a 6th surround channel matrixed in with the other data. At least that is how I understand it. This is essentially considered 6.1. It's just not called 6.1 on the packaging because it is not truley a discrete channel, like DTS ES 6.1 is.

This is the same as all the current Star Wars films, or Pixar's Nemo or Incredibles. And this is about as good as there is anywhere for now, except for DTS ES.

You got it. The 6th channel is derived from the two surround channels. While there might be some issues with sound "bleeding" into the rear speaker from the other two surround channels, totally discrete separation is less of a concern in the back of the room, where sometimes it is better for the sound to "blend." That said, matrixing technology is no hard task these days, and the decoders are fairly sophisticated, especially when they only have to derive a rear surround channel from the two surround channels (whcih they do using phase-shifting). The thing that is really complex is de-matrixing a 2 channel, stereo signal into 7.1 discrete channels. going 2 to 8 channels makes going from 2 to 3 channels look like child's play.

Anyway - I also find it interesting that Lucas' loyalty to THX has limited him to Dolby technology, which is considerably more "lossy" than DTS, which his good pal Speilberg is a big supporter of. I guess it goes to show that profits and integrity are not always the best bed-mates.

you guys need these ...
I have 3,4,5,7,8,9 myself.

http://www.die-nussbaums.de/demodvds.php

the minority report version in these DTS demo is better than what's on the DVD movie itself (because this one is DTS-ES, while the movie is just DTS) you owe it to yourself to try this on a good sub.

link police

http://www.die-nussbaums.de/demodvds.php