Isn't this called Dolby Pro Logic? I realize it may be digital at this point, but really, what's the point of processing a 2-channel track into multiple channels when they weren't encoded from a surround track?
Like when listening to old (read: bad) 2-channel recordings, the Pro Logic processing puts ALL the audio in the rear because it "thinks" it's supposed to be back there. Obviously I defeat this by forcing "stereo" mode, but the point is that unless these 2-channel tracks are designed for such processing, you're not gonna get anything useful.
Yes, I agree with you that tracks that are natively stereo are better off being listened to as stereo....
BUT, you're not getting the point.
This is NOT a stereo-to-surround decoder, this is a SURROUND-TO-STEREO processor, that means you can play digital surround files (AC-3?) and, despite having only two speakers, you will listen to them as if there were 5.... no, it ain't magic, it's called PSYCHOACOUSTICS
Oh, and this have been arroud for decades (see: Ambisonic... the sound processing method, not the software), exept no one wants to implement it (and it makes me angry, I love this technology)
Actually, I'm getting it. It says "stereo or surround encoded 2-channel audio." So I'll give you the surround encoded 2-channel audio (like 2-channel PCM meant for Pro Logic decoding), but if the source material is 2-channel, it should be left as such. You might get some interesting (perhaps even preferable) effects if processed, but they're unintended, and possibly unfavorable.
My real confusion with synthetic surround sound is it's implementation. Even if these actually do a good job at simulating surround sound, does that, combined with watching a movie on a 2 (or even 13) inch screen, make you "feel like you're there"?
You're right on that, I have never liked the idea of watching video on such a small screen (unless it's a quick video message from your girlfriend ;-) , my LifeDrive's screen is about as small as I can tolerate to view serious video files on the go...
However, I (esp. as an artist) see ALOT of potential on this for music.... after listening to surround music you will never want stereo again :-)
And this is a step further into that surround paradise: we no longer have to mess arround with pre-rendered surround simulation that works on some setups/devices and not on others...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
looseinthedeuce @ Feb 11th 2008 2:09PM
Isn't this called Dolby Pro Logic? I realize it may be digital at this point, but really, what's the point of processing a 2-channel track into multiple channels when they weren't encoded from a surround track?
Like when listening to old (read: bad) 2-channel recordings, the Pro Logic processing puts ALL the audio in the rear because it "thinks" it's supposed to be back there. Obviously I defeat this by forcing "stereo" mode, but the point is that unless these 2-channel tracks are designed for such processing, you're not gonna get anything useful.
DarkLightConnection @ Feb 11th 2008 2:55PM
Yes, I agree with you that tracks that are natively stereo are better off being listened to as stereo....
BUT, you're not getting the point.
This is NOT a stereo-to-surround decoder, this is a SURROUND-TO-STEREO processor, that means you can play digital surround files (AC-3?) and, despite having only two speakers, you will listen to them as if there were 5.... no, it ain't magic, it's called PSYCHOACOUSTICS
Oh, and this have been arroud for decades (see: Ambisonic... the sound processing method, not the software), exept no one wants to implement it (and it makes me angry, I love this technology)
looseinthedeuce @ Feb 11th 2008 3:51PM
@DarkLightConnection
Actually, I'm getting it. It says "stereo or surround encoded 2-channel audio." So I'll give you the surround encoded 2-channel audio (like 2-channel PCM meant for Pro Logic decoding), but if the source material is 2-channel, it should be left as such. You might get some interesting (perhaps even preferable) effects if processed, but they're unintended, and possibly unfavorable.
My real confusion with synthetic surround sound is it's implementation. Even if these actually do a good job at simulating surround sound, does that, combined with watching a movie on a 2 (or even 13) inch screen, make you "feel like you're there"?
DarkLightConnection @ Feb 11th 2008 5:47PM
You're right on that, I have never liked the idea of watching video on such a small screen (unless it's a quick video message from your girlfriend ;-) , my LifeDrive's screen is about as small as I can tolerate to view serious video files on the go...
However, I (esp. as an artist) see ALOT of potential on this for music.... after listening to surround music you will never want stereo again :-)
And this is a step further into that surround paradise: we no longer have to mess arround with pre-rendered surround simulation that works on some setups/devices and not on others...