The
Dolby Digital is the
Dolby Digital consists of up to “5.1” channels - front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and an additional channel exclusively reserved for additional deep bass sound effects (the Low Frequency Effects – LFE – channel, also called the “.1” channel, containing bass frequencies of up to 120 Hz).
Unlike the analog Dolby Pro Logic format, Dolby Digital’s main channels can all contain full range sound information, from the lowest bass, up to the highest frequencies – 22 kHz. The signals within each channel are distinct from the others, allowing pinpoint sound imaging, and Dolby Digital offers tremendous dynamic range from the most powerful sound effects to the quietest, softest sounds, free from noise and distortion.
2 Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro LogicComparison of home surround systems | Dolby Digital | Dolby Pro Logic | |
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No. recorded channels (elements) | 5.1 ch | 2 ch | |
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No. playback channels | 5.1 ch | 4 ch | |
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Playback channels (max.) | L, R, C, SL, SR, SW | L, R, C, S (SW - recommended) | |
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Audio processing | Digital discrete processing | Analog matrix processing Dolby Surround | |
Dolby Digital encoding/decoding | |||
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High frequency playback limit of surround | 20 kHz | 7 kHz | |
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Marks indicating Dolby Digital compatibility: 
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The following are general examples. Also refer to the player’s operating instructions.
Media | Dolby Digital output jacks |
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LD (VDP) | Coaxial Dolby Digital RF output jack | 1 | Set the input mode to “AUTO”. | ||
(Page 48) | |||||
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DVD | Optical or coaxial digital output |
| Set the input mode to “AUTO”. | ||
(same as for PCM) | 2 |
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Others | Optical or coaxial digital output |
| Set the input mode to “AUTO”. | ||
(satellite broadcasts, CATV, etc.) | (same as for PCM) |
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1 Please use a commercially available adapter when connecting the Dolby Digital RF output jack of the LD player to the digital input jack.
Please refer to the instruction manual of the adapter when making connection.
2 Some DVD digital outputs have the function of switching the Dolby Digital signal output method between “bit stream” and “(convert to) PCM”. When playing in Dolby Digital surround on the
•Dolby Pro Logic II is a new
•Dolby Pro Logic II can be used to decode not only sources recorded in Dolby Surround ( 
) but also regular stereo sources into five channels (front left, front right, center, surround left and surround right) to achieve surround sound.
•Whereas with conventional Dolby Pro Logic the surround channel playback frequency band was limited, Dolby Pro Logic II offers a wider band range (20 Hz to 20 kHz or greater). In addition, the surround channels were monaural (the surround left and right channels were the same) with previous Dolby Pro Logic, but Dolby Pro Logic II they are played as stereo signals.
•Various parameters can be set according to the type of source and the contents, so it is possible to achieve optimum decoding (see page 56).
Sources recorded in Dolby Surround
These are sources in which three or more channels of surround have been recorded as two channels of signals using Dolby Surround encoding technology.
Dolby Surround is used for the sound tracks of movies recorded on DVDs, LDs and Video cassettes to be played on stereo VCRs, as well as for the stereo broadcast signals of FM radio, TV, satellite broadcasts and cable TV.
Decoding these signals with Dolby Pro Logic II makes it possible to achieve
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