HDTV and surround sound

[rbs83197]

i want to get clear in my thinking.

just because a program or sporting event is broadcast in hd dosen't mean it also is automatically in dolby digital surround sound. Is the audio seperate from the video?

For example when watching nfl games this season, fox says they are broadcasting in hd and dd 5.1 surround. i hear that on my home theatre system distintly. cbs however just says they are broadcasting in hd but says nothing about surround sound and i dont hear the surround sound on my home theatre audio system like I do on fox.

The reason I ask this is that it will be a shame that cbs will broadcast the super bowl in hd but not in dd surround sound unless they do it speciffically for that event

[akirby]

It can be 2.1 Dolby Digital or even 2.0. They don't have to use all 6 speakers. Some of the networks didn't use 5.1 early on - not sure about now.

[belcherwm]

It also depends on your local station. Many aren't able or don't chose to pass on
the national DD5.1 feed when it is available.

You can get more information on your local situation at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=45

[dshaffer3juno]

Speaking of sound, I've noticed on certain broadcasts of these NFL games, they are pumping so much crowd noise on the surround channels, that it's actually hard to hear the commentators. I'm from Indy (Go Colts!), and this was the case in the Kansas City (from our dome) and at the Baltimore game (their open stadium), but it was fine on this last game here against the Patriots. On one of the previous games, I actually had to change to one of the alternate sound programs on my Denon receiver to comfortably hear them. Has anyone else noticed this on NFL games? Just curious.

[joed32]

I'm just the opposite, I prefer the crowd noise to the commentators. When they are really bad I turn my center speaker down.