When you buy a deck w/ 5.1 capabilities, or a dvd player HU, do you need a center channel? And are there specific center channels sold or are they just normal speakers mounted somewhere? Do you need a receiver type thing or does the HU do the processing for you? How do you factor in the amplifier(s)? Where do you put teh centre channel? What is the most common place?

 

Center channel is usually integrated into the radio head unit it self.

 

most importantly, is the fact that both the HU and AMP have digital I/O's!!!!!!!!! as you won't get 5.1 with analog connections.

Some decks do have a center channel built in (Panasonic comes to mind) My Panasonic (DF800U) actually has an internal center channel amp that can be hooked up to any speaker.

The speaker set up with 5.1 will be from the AMP. Hook up the speakers like normal, except for the fact, you'll now have a center channel and a digital cable from HU to AMP.