14
2-5. Audio Signals
Dolby Digital Sound with 5.1 Channels
sub-woofer
right
speaker
left
speaker
center channel
speaker
surround
sound
speaker
surround
sound
speaker
Digital Audio Signals
The DIRECTV
®
High-Definition Receiver will be the focal center of your home entertainment system
comprising a variety of components, such as TV, DVD, VCR, etc. and external audio systems. Since
digital programs being broadcast contain digital-quality audio, you can create a home theater by send-
ing audio signals from the DIRECTV HD Receiver to your audio system externally. HD digital signals
use the Dolby Digital audio encoding system - the same digital sound used in many movie theaters, on
DVDs, and in many home theater systems.
When you tune to a channel, the DIRECTV HD Receiver can send signals either to a Dolby Digital
decoder/receiver or to a PCM (normal digital) decoder. (* Refer to Section 3.7 Connection for Audio
for making the required external connections to your system.)
Dolby Digital, formally known as AC-3 for Audio Coding 3rd Generation or
“5.1” channel audio, is a coding technique that can provide up to five inde-
pendent, full frequency response audio channels (three in left, center, and
right, two in rear left and right, and one low frequency effect for a sound
you can feel).
GLOSSARY