I copied a few quotes from posters on other forums
"5.1 or lack of....
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Hi, I have a very accurate 5.1 system, indeed upgraded it in time for the Olympics, and am watching in 3d where poss, and hd always. I was also at one of the stadiums (basketball).
I can confirm that the sound of being there is just not coming across, and can explain why.
for several years now major events (best example I know being Wimbledon) have been broadcast with a good 5.1 sound mix, using the rear channels to "put you there" with atmosphere/spectator sounds and the commentary obviously on the front speakers. But despite the promise of 5.1 sound from the Olympics, it is not being delivered... yes there is a 5.1 dolby digital output from my sky hd box, which I am decoding, but nothing much is ever coming out the rears. A friend I know in the bbc who is a sound supervisor and working at the olympics confirms that the OBS (Olympic Broadcasting Service) are not providing 5.1 channels. They (the bbc) can steer artificially some sound to the rears which they try to do, but this can never be very effective as an approach. "
"bBC HD sounds stereo to me."
"Olympics opening ceremony dd?
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According to my amp it's in dd but there is nothing coming through the rear channels. Not sure if my setup is working properly do was wondering is it working for anyone else?"
"On the subject of 5.1 sound, I'd like to add that on BBC one HD Freeview, although 5.1 seems to be being transmitted (my AV decoder is seeing it as 5.1 as opposed to the normal 2.0) the sound is an odd mix, with the main L+R being at the correct volume, and very low (almost non-existent) sound from centre & rears. In fact, it's almost like a 2.0 mix (i.e. stereo fronts) with a low-level L+R sent to the centre.
Very different from the recent Wimbledon mix, and very disappointing"
"i've noticed the exact same thing. BBC ONE HD is broadcasting with dolby 5.1 but only in a stereo mix, so the commentary is coming out of the L+R channels and nothing from the other speakers at all. it actually sounds better in stereo 2.0 with pro-logic - at least that put the commentary in the right place in the centre channel.. it's frustrating that the 'better' sound comes from the SD broadcast.
i've now reconfigured my amp to use only the HDMI input from my sky box (as it doesn't carry 5.1 anyway) and abandoned the SPDIF connection for the time being.. so i no longer know what's in 5.1 and what isn't.. it's going to be a pro-logic games it seems. real shame."
Most startling is the first post saying that OBS are not giving the BBC the 5.1 feed, and that they are trying to manufacture some rear channel sound to put in their 5.1 transmissions. From what it sounds like, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that were true. Perhaps one of the WHF newshounds could follow this one up ???