High definition programming not just about a better picture

Q: Will my new high definition television play 5.1 surround sound or do I need to buy something else to hear the surround sound?

A: Let me start by bringing everyone up to speed on 5.1 surround sound. With the advent of high definition television, networks will be able to include 5.1 surround sound in their transmission along with the already gorgeous high definition picture.

The “5″ of “5.1″ refers to the number of speakers in your surround sound setup. The five speakers in this case are the front center, often referred to as the center channel, a front left and front right and finally, a surround left and surround right (the speakers that are behind you). The “.1″ of “5.1″ refers to a subwoofer, which is that big boxy looking speaker that delivers the room-filling bass sounds.

As you can see you will need a lot of speakers if you want to experience the full 5.1 surround sound.

Back to your question. Your television, by itself, will never deliver the true 5.1 surround sound transmitted over the high definition signal. It simply doesn’t have enough internal speakers and there is no way for your television to be physically located in front of you and behind you at the same time.

That being said, many new high definition televisions include hookups for all of the speakers necessary to deliver 5.1 surround sound. But you will have to buy the speakers separately.

If surround sound is really important to you, you are better off purchasing a separate audio or audio/video receiver and using that to drive the surround sound to all of your speakers. Of course this is the priciest option but these types of receivers are designed for this task which I cannot say is true with your television.

Finally, if a new receiver and new speakers are not in your budget you can always look for a television that offers virtual surround sound. Virtual surround sound is a technology that simulates surround sound using only the internal speakers of your television.

This post was originally broadcast Friday, July 13, 2007 on Tech Talk with Noobie, a weekly radio show on WCBK 102.3 FM in Martinsville, Indiana. Tech Talk with Noobie airs every Friday between 11:30 a.m. and noon. If you have a question you would like Noobie to answer on the air, simply e-mail your question to .