By contrast, modern soundtracks use discrete channels of information. That is, each speaker has a distinct signal that is completely independent of every other channel. This approach is clearly more desirable, since it gives the movie-makers more creative control over the quality of your experience. Musicians also prefer discrete formats, since it allows them to place their instruments and voices with greater precision, to create the musical effects they desire.

There are many multi-channel formats available. Table1, below, identifies the most common multi-channel formats to help you sort out some of the possibilities.

Table 1: Common multichannel modes

Name

# Chs

Matrix/Discrete

Comments

analog stereo

2

Discrete

Found on almost all sources, including

 

 

 

tape decks, tuners, and CD players.

analog multi-

6-8

Discrete

A multi-channel analog input used

channel input

 

 

mostly for SACD & DVD-Audio.

Dolby Surround

4

Matrix

The original matrix decoding system

Pro Logic

 

 

designed to squeeze four channels into

 

 

 

two and then retrieve them.

Dolby Pro

Up to 5.1

Matrix

An improvement of Dolby’s original

Logic II

 

 

Pro Logic matrix decoder, Dolby PLII

 

 

 

is designed for 5.1 surround systems.

Dolby Pro

Up to 7.1

Matrix

An improvement of Dolby PLII, this

Logic IIx

 

 

version uses the 2ch or 5.1channel

 

 

 

source audio to create as many as 7.1

 

 

 

channels (depending on speaker setup)

 

 

 

of surround sound.

Dolby Digital

1.0-5.1

Discrete

The most common modern digital

(formerly AC-3)

 

 

source, used in HDTV, DVD, etc.

Dolby

6.1

Discrete

A 7th channel of discrete information

Digital EX

 

 

was recorded during filming and

 

 

 

is encoded into the media. This

 

 

 

information is used to create a single

 

 

 

rear centre, or two mono rear centres

 

 

 

depending on the speaker setup (6.1

 

 

 

or 7.1).

DTS

1.0-5.1

Discrete

Similar to Dolby Digital in practice,

 

 

 

though it uses a different technology.

DTS-ES Matrix

6.1

Mostly Discrete

The centre rear channel is a matrix

 

 

 

channel encoded into the left and

 

 

 

right surround channels. The

 

 

 

processor reads flags and “unfolds”

 

 

 

the centre channel information; all

 

 

 

other channels are discrete.

DTS-ES Discrete

6.1

Discrete

All 6.1 channels are discrete

 

 

 

 

DTS Neo:6

5-6

Matrix

Designed for the playback of film or

 

 

 

music sources and can derive 5 or 6

 

 

 

channels with surround and/or rear

 

 

 

speakers

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