Advice Needed Is 7.1 audio compatible with 5.1 equipment

[Journey]

Hi guys, I looked up and down the sections and wasn't totally sure which section was best to post my question in and decided "AV" probably matched best, apologies if I am wrong

My question as per the title really, I have a home cinema 5.1 setup consisting of an Onkyo AV Amp and Monitor Audio speakers and Sub

I will be receiving some mkv movie files which contain DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack's and I was wondering if anybody know's if these will work or not work ?

I did some googling and many of the information is back from 2010/2011 where they suggest that most movies are 5.1 to begin with (perhaps outdated) and the extra 2 speakers are not necessary

So any advice from those in the know would be great, thanks kindly in advance

 

[Terryl]

11.1 and 7.1 are backward compatible to a 5.1 system, it just will not be able to decode the middle/side speakers, just front (L/R) back (L/R) center and woofer.

 

[Journey]

thanks @Terryl the info is appreciated

 

[digi247]

DTS-HD MA 7.1 Tracks get Downmixed into 5.1 for your system so your AV Amp mixes the height surround channels into the rear/side channels

 

[Journey]

Great stuff, thanks @digi247

I tried a couple of the files this morning and there didn't seem to be anything missing