I have an old Sony STR-DE515 "AC-3 Ready" Pro Logic Receiver. I have it hooked up to my DVD player via the audio cables, the DVD drives the TV display with a S vidoe cable.
My question is, can the receiver process "Surround Sound" without a "AC-3 Ready" Processor? If I turn on the Surround Sound and select PRO LOGIC, is my configuration going to give me the proper sound?
It will only give you the matixed Dolby Prologic wich is a synthetised surround. It will not give the more accurate, detailed and dynamic surround sound of Dolby Digital 5.1.
DTS Surround is another decoder that is available in later receivers.
Having said that, if you purchase a DVD player with on-board AC-3 (DD5.1) and DTS decoders you are good to go.