R E V I E W E R ’ S G U I D E
Speaker Placement Guide
5.1 Surround Sound | 7.1 Surround Sound |
Q“What’s the difference between 6.1 and 7.1?”
AFor today’s cinema content, it’s first important to note the distinction between the number of audio channels encoded in the content, and the speaker configuration on which that content is to be played.
Perhaps the easiest way to illustrate this with new technologies, such as Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES, is to first look back at the original Dolby Pro Logic format. Though Dolby Pro Logic contains only four decoded channels (Left, Right, Center, and Mono Surround), it is designed to be played back with two surround speakers, each playing the same mono surround information. The newer 7.1 is similar: Content is en- coded/decoded as 6.1 information, but the Rear (or Center) surround channel is intended to be played on a 7.1 speaker configuration, rather than 6.1. Using two rear surround speakers provides better fill, more natural sound, better sound dispersion,
For more information, read the Dolby Digital EX listener’s guide, lo- cated at www.dolby.com/ht/co_br_0110_ListenersGuideEX.html.
The Revolution 7.1 can also output 7.1 discrete channels. This is great for today’s new surround formats, such as Windows Media Audio 9 Professional, that already support discrete 7.1 surround sound. It also makes the Revolution 7.1 ready for future formats that take advantage of 7.1 surround.
16
