Glossary

English

5.1-channel

Refers to a six-channel surround sound format. The 5 refers to the ﬁve full-range audio channels (left, right, center, sur- round left, and surround right), and the .1 refers to the fre- quency-limited LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel, which is used for sub-bass effects between 20 Hz and 120 Hz.

AAC

AAC, which stands for Advanced Audio Coding, is a new audio encoding format that uses more efﬁcient compres- sion than the MP3 format, yet offers audio quality on par with that of CD. AAC was developed by the MPEG group and is used in the new MPEG-4 video format.

Dolby Digital

This is the designated digital surround sound format for DVD-Video, HDTV, and select digital broadcasts (cable, satellite, over the air). A Dolby Digital bitstream may con- tain mono, stereo, Dolby Surround, or 5.1-channel audio information. Dolby Digital uses lossy compression to squeeze six channels of information into a single digital bitstream. Unlike Dolby Surround and Dolby Pro Logic that use matrix encoding, Dolby Digital uses discrete chan- nels.

Dolby Pro Logic

The matrix decoder used in home theater equipment to decode Dolby Surround material.

Dolby Pro Logic II

The second generation Dolby Pro Logic matrix decoder can create quasi 5.1-channel surround (left, right, center, surround left, and surround right) from legacy Dolby Sur- round sources and normal stereo sources. It offers Movie and Music listening modes.

Dolby Surround

The home version of the original Dolby Stereo surround system used in movie theaters. It uses matrix encoding to deliver four channels (left, right, center, and surround) of information via two audio channels. It’s commonly used for video, laser disc, analog TV, and other stereo analog systems.

DTS

Developed by Digital Theater Systems, DTS is a 5.1-chan- nel digital surround format similar to Dolby Digital, except it uses less compression for a more faithful sound. It’s com- monly used with DVD-Video and DTS CDs.

PCM

PCM signals are linear, noncompressed digital audio sig- nals. Normal CDs contain 16-bit/44.1 kHz PCM. A DVD may contain 16-bit/48 kHz through 24-bit/96 kHz PCM.

Silent Cinema

Yamaha’s Silent Cinema technology allows you to enjoy multichannel surround sound even when using head- phones.

Yamaha Cinema DSP

Since Dolby Surround and DTS were originally developed for use in movie theaters, it’s inevitable that sounds will not be heard exactly how the original sound designer intended when listened to in a typical home environment, with the smaller room size, wall construction, and number of speak- ers. Using a wealth of measured data, Yamaha’s Cinema DSP technology uses Yamaha’s own sound-ﬁeld technol- ogy to combine Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS to supplement the scale, depth and volume of sounds, thereby recreating the audio experience of a movie theater in the home theater environment.

Yamaha Virtual Surround

Yamaha’s Virtual Surround technology allows you to enjoy 5.1-channel surround sound even when not using the sur- round left and right speakers. The surround speakers can then be used with the front speakers to provide extra power.