Monday, October 23, 2006

Surround Sound Spec

Surround Sound is the concept of expanding the spatial imaging of audio playback from one dimension (mono/Left-Right) to two or three dimensions.

This is often performed for a more realistic audio environment, actively implemented in cinema sound systems, technical theatre, home entertainment, video arcades, computer gaming, and a growing number of other applications.

Many popular surround sound formats have evolved over the years. They include discrete 5.1 Surround sound on DVD-Audio (DVD-A) or SACD (Super Audio CD), ambisonics, quadraphonic, Dolby 5.1 Surround sound, DTS, DVD-Video (DVD-V), and MP3 Surround.



3.0 Surround (matrixed)

Extracts 3 audio channels from a stereo source:

* Two for speakers at the front - left (L) and right (R).
* One for surround speaker at the rear - surround (S).
* Describes the early matrixed Dolby Surround system.
* Surround Sound speaker placement: Three identical speakers placed equidistant around a central listening position.