What is 7.1Ch?

I have a speaker system that supports 5.1 CH. If I purchase a new receiver with 7.1 Ch capability, can I still use the existing speaker system?

Yes, most 7.1 surround systems will support 5.1 surround (or even 6.1 surround).

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_ 7.1 is the same thing as 5.1 with the addition of 2 extra speakers. Your existing speaker system will work fine with a 7.1 receiver. In a 7.1 system, there are not only left/right rear speakers but also left/right side speakers. These speakers are optional and you don't even have to use them right away if you don't want to buy more speakers just yet.

It is worthy to not that, to the best of my knowledge, there is no actual 7.1 content being distributed; the additional speakers are utilized by the receiver by simply adding a delay to the rear channel content so that it hits the side speakers first, then the rears a fraction of a second later. While it does enhance the listening experience a bit, it is not actually 'adding' anything to the original content, only manipulating it for effect. I would not, because the speakers & receivers in these systems are made for certain other things, and unmatched speakers & receivers are asking for a blow out. There's NOT that big a difference between "5.1" and "7.1"...All the DVDs recorded in "7.1" are BACKWARDS compatible with a "5.1" set up...All you're doing is putting 2 more REAR speakers behind you and between your existing REAR.