Circle Surround ?

alan halvorson · 02-10-2004, 11:25 AM

I watched a TV program a couple days ago (I must be getting old - I can't remember which one it was) which displayed a "Circle Surround 5.1" message on the screen at the beginning of the program. I am aware of Circle Surround - Theta once offered this surround mode on its Casablanca processor (maybe it still does), and Circle Surround itself once offered a standalone decoder. Widescreen Review gave Circle Surround a very positive review several years ago. I was not aware, however, that this system had gotten anywhere beyond that. It is rarely mentioned here, on the AVS Forum, or anywhere that I visit.

Are there any other processors that include a Circle Surround surround mode? Is it worth pursuing?

ChadLB · 02-10-2004, 11:28 AM

Kenwood and Marantz were the only ones I knew that offered it.

BrianAe · 02-10-2004, 11:32 AM

Doesn't outlaw?

ChadLB · 02-10-2004, 12:24 PM

No, they do not.

The kenwoods now have the CSII and I think Marantz does also.

Rajeev_s · 02-11-2004, 10:03 AM

But CSII in Kenwood is only for 2 channel processing like DPLII. I dont think its a format like DD or DTS 5.1. Or is it ? How do you get it thru your STB at home, because STB has setting for DD or other, other being DD 2.0 or PCM.

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John S · 02-11-2004, 11:51 AM

It is my understanding that for 2 channel stuff, both Circle Surround and DPL/DPLII have software available for recording engineers to actually mix with. Somebody correct me if I am wrong about that????

ChadLB · 02-11-2004, 11:57 AM

CS II is designed to enable up to 6.1 multichannel surround sound playback from mono, stereo, Dolby Surround and Circle Surround encoded sources.

http://www.srslabs.com/ConsumerTechMultichannel.asp#CS2

DerekJohnson · 02-11-2004, 12:59 PM

The NHL All-Star Game pre show was broadcast in Circle 5.1 Surround.

Shane Martin · 02-11-2004, 06:21 PM

I'm 99% certain that Theta digital still offers Circle surround as one of its options. The Casablanca II had it for sure and that's a fairly up to date high end pre/pro. According to their site, The Casablanca III has it as well.
http://www.thetadigital.com/product/cb2/prod-info-3.htm

Daryl L · 02-13-2004, 03:16 PM

ESPN & ESPNHD uses CS5.1 encoding now instead of DPL/II encoding on it's sporting events.