- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,422
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
When The Who's "rock opera" Tommy was released as a double LP in 1969 I found it mildly interesting. Without my help it grew into a musical phenomenon.
Six years later, under the directorial hand of the usually brilliant Ken Russell, it became a motion picture with an all-star cast. While I found it interesting and generally enjoyable, to me it was also one of the longest 111 minute films that I'd ever seen.
Again, to me, the most important and interesting element of the production was its use of "quintaphonic sound."
Quintaphonic audio was unique to the release prints of Tommy. Using standard four-track magnetic only 35mm prints, ie. Fox sprocket, The prints were not meant to be run optically.
With a speaker layout, which is reasonably standard to today's home theater, there were three speakers behind the screen in Left, Center, and Right positions. In addition there were Rear Left and Rear Right. Tracks were encoded (and decoded) using a Sansui unit.
Chace Audio has posted an explanation here:
http://triggertone.com/term/Quintaphonic_Stereo
Sony's new Blu-ray of Mr. Russell's film is perfect. While I still find it a long 111 minutes, the image quality is superb, and the newly created 5.1, as well as the original 5.0 are nothing short of breath-taking.
My perception is that this is a Blu-ray release worth the investment for the audio alone.
Recommended.
RAH
Six years later, under the directorial hand of the usually brilliant Ken Russell, it became a motion picture with an all-star cast. While I found it interesting and generally enjoyable, to me it was also one of the longest 111 minute films that I'd ever seen.
Again, to me, the most important and interesting element of the production was its use of "quintaphonic sound."
Quintaphonic audio was unique to the release prints of Tommy. Using standard four-track magnetic only 35mm prints, ie. Fox sprocket, The prints were not meant to be run optically.
With a speaker layout, which is reasonably standard to today's home theater, there were three speakers behind the screen in Left, Center, and Right positions. In addition there were Rear Left and Rear Right. Tracks were encoded (and decoded) using a Sansui unit.
Chace Audio has posted an explanation here:
http://triggertone.com/term/Quintaphonic_Stereo
Sony's new Blu-ray of Mr. Russell's film is perfect. While I still find it a long 111 minutes, the image quality is superb, and the newly created 5.1, as well as the original 5.0 are nothing short of breath-taking.
My perception is that this is a Blu-ray release worth the investment for the audio alone.
Recommended.
RAH
