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Simple, No Nonsense, Easy
To Understand Advice About ...
Home Cinema Surround
Systems
Q.
What is the
difference between Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital and DTS?
Answer.
Dolby Surround is the original
analogue surround format which gives you left, centre and right
speaker, plus one rear channel split into two back speakers for
the surround effect. Many TV broadcasts and pre-recorded vhs tapes
are encoded with Dolby Surround ... (Pro-Logic & Pro-Logic
2)
Dolby Digital
(AC3) has been adopted as a widely
available format in DVD products. This is true digital, which
sends out 5 discrete audio channels and a dedicated sub bass channel.
Creating the most realistic and dynamic cinematic experience.
DTS is
the alternative digital surround system similar to Dolby Digital
but with slightly more dynamic texture and clarity (due to lower
ratio data compression). However there are not so many titles
available at the moment in DTS format...but most new surround
amps have DTS functions included anyway.
So... for optimal "future
proofing" get a new generation digital surround amp which
decodes DTS as well as Dolby Digital (they will all decode the
older Dolby Surround)
Q.
Do
Surround set-ups sound as good as traditional HI FI stereo separates
systems?
Answer.
Some audiophile anoraks snub home cinema setups, but
they are missing the point. Surround technology is optimized to
give maximum audio enhancement as part of a visual experience.
Therefore surround systems can discolour pure music performance.
That is generally due to the sonic qualities of the surround speakers
themselves, and also the equalization (tone) presets and encoding
on the surround amp. So, if you intend use a dedicated theatre
surround speaker system get a surround amplifier which includes
a separate "front" speaker output (speaker B on the front panel
selector) Add a set of hi-fi speakers to that output. This switches
off the "theater" speakers and by setting the eq (tone)
on the amp to "flat" this gives you true independent hi-fi stereo
music performance ... The best of both worlds!
FOOTNOTE: A lot of surround music CDs are now appearing, so even
more reason to get a surround system.
Systems
If you are viewing DVDs in a small
to medium space (for example, in a room 5 metres X 5 metres )
you can add a cheap but effective digital surround experience
solution to greatly enhance your DVD viewing. 5.1 desktop theatre
systems are sold as add-ons for computers, but some of these systems
work perfectly as small lounge DVD home theatre add-ons. You can
simply plug the digital output of your DVD into the desktop theatre
system.
Simple,
No Nonsense, Easy To Understand Advice About DVD players
(for UK viewers.)
Amazon
UK ~ Sound and Vision
Amazon
USA ~ Audio and Video
CANADA ~ Please use
USA links above as no A/V electronics are available at Amazon
Canada
Home Theatre and Surround Installation
For
a limited period, Looking-Glass is able
to provide you with unique and highly refined home theatre installation.
This service is not carried out by bog-standard electrical store
staff. Instead we offer you a personalized service from experienced
creative media producers and engineers within the sound and film
industry - even responsible for many top selling DVD movies. We
are able to advise and optimize your DVD system to your requirements
and living space. Prices begin from £100 (Looking-Glass donation)
for a basic installation of your DVD / Widescreen / Surround purchase
and includes viewing / listening optimization, plus advice on all
the confusing viewing and listening modes. Our refined service extends
to specially tailored layouts for the absolute ultimate audio/visual
experience that harmonizes with your interior decor and living space.
(Equipment specially ordered for such projects)
This service is generally focussed in southern UK, but distances
can be extended (even globally) - at extra cost.
If you are interested in this unique service Please
contact us with your requirements
and contact details.
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