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13.1 Surround Sound Coming to a Home near you?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i'll-believe-it-when-i-hear-it dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Need to see the anatomy of a codec? Dolby Digital plus is starting to make inroads in the audio world and this article gives you the technical insight into the Enhanced AC-3 codec. Will consumers soon be getting the full 13.1 audio system that we hear in movie theaters?"

2 of 387 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why? by the_unknown_soldier · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Because ears gain perception based on direction. The more directions a sound can come from, the more immersive the experience for the end user. Thats why when The latest action is at the cinema you **feel** it, yet when playing it on your PSP you watch it.

    that said, anything over 7.1 Is a bit of overkill

  2. yes, but can you do an Omnitheater sound check? by SuperBanana · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sound tech 1:"Okay everyone, sound check!"

    Sound tech 2:"Cue Leonard Nimoy"

    Sound tech 3(quietly):"Leonard Nimoy!? Why?"

    (LN):"Because he grew up a few blocks from here!"

    It's small part of the Boston Museum of Science's Omnitheater sound check, and they even put lights on each channel's speakers behind the screen so you can see them as each channel is "checked". Then they do a driver through Boston traffic with an omnimax camera on the bumper of a car. And speed it up at least 2x. Even the most die-hard Boston taxi driver will grip his seat :-) Oh, and yes, Nimoy narrates the whole intro.

    Then you do a helicopter trip over parts of New England, coming into a harbor in Maine...then on the docks. Ahhh, peaceful, quiet, much better you think.

    "Hey CHaaaalie. They folks whanaaah seeah lobstah!" And then you get presented with a live lobster...full screen width, up close and personal, an inch or two from the lens, complete with squishy/squeeky noises :-)

    --
    Please help metamoderate.