Home Media Setup 7.1 playing through VLC, questions

[vumpler]

Just setup a media room at home with 7.1 surround sound.

Have ran a HDMI cord from my PC to receiver.

1. when I play my DTS mkv file I use VLC player as many have suggested my option under audio are Stereo or 5.1 surround.

Then my receiver I can pick 7.1 surround sound. So is DTS not 7.1 surround? Is it just doing 5.1 surround and making the rear and back rear speakers both the same thing? What's really happening here?

Any advice from others rocking a similar setup? I heard someone say use XBMC and a remote. I'm really not sure about how to do this or if its a viable option. Some backup's I've played using VLC hitch from time to time, so considered the other recommendations you guys have above.

Any input from someone with a similar setup?

[jman98]

Standard DTS is 5.1. You can get 7.1 using DTS Neo:6 but this is fairly rare. If I remember correctly either Rush Hour 2 or Rush Hour 3 used this on the region 1 DVD.