New surround format announced (1 Viewer)

[Alex F.]

A new 12.1 surround-sound format, expected to become the industry standard by early 2004, was announced in a press conference this morning. The new system will utilize five loudspeakers across the front of a room, two on each side, and three in the rear, plus one LFE channel. While it will make all current home-theater receivers, preamp/processors, and DVD players obsolete, a spokesman stated that the new format provides the most realistic surround performance ever heard in a home environment. According to the press release, leading manufacturers of home-theater components intend to introduce the new surround system during their next product cycle, and not later than April 1, 2004, when another format change might be announced.

 

[JimmyK]

 

[chung_sotheby]

I thought that the new sound format would be 15.4 + A(x), with 5 fronts, 3 rear, 4 sides, 3 ceiling, 4 subwoofers, and x numbers of Aura bass shakers, x being equal to the number of seats in said configuration. Too bad we might have to wait a couple of weeks before this new sound format is integrated into the newest receivers and processors, as well as maybe even a 72 grace period after that before we get the new, THX Super Ludicrous Ultra XXX certification on the newest components from Altec Lansing and Bose.

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Good one...

 

[jason willder]

Another sucker.

 

[JustinCleveland]

Damn it, just when I finally upgraded from mono...

 

[Thomas_Berg]

April fools aside, there is a 10.2 format being pushed by Tom Holman (the TH in THX) and other groups that i believe are based in Australia. Bjorn's Audio/Video in San Antonio was the first store to have a certified 10.2 room open to the public. the system actually has 12.2 speakers, and a computer decides on which of the rear speakers to use to create a 10.2 soundfield.

it's VERY cool

 

[Craig Robertson]

midnight can't come soon enough for me...

 

[JustinCleveland]

No, Thomas is being serious... it's kindof interesting... on the level of complete immersion, but I don't know that it could become a reality anytime soon in America, since it would cost a FORTUNE to do.

 

[Alex F.]

I had Holman's proposed surround format in mind when I wrote the original post. Recalling his idea of 10 channels, I decided to go with even more, hence 12 channels. Hmm, maybe I should've gone with a 12.3 system.

It would be funny if a loudspeaker manufacturer read the post with initial glee, thinking about future sales possibilities. "Oh boy, are we gonna sell a ton of speakers next year, the year after, and...!"

 

[JustinCleveland]

LOL!

I can see the press releases now...

Buy 9, get one FREE!

 

[Yogi]

The more the number of channels introduced in new surround formats the more I am drawn to plain 2 ch stereo.

 

[Ron_L]

Well DTS unveiled their XD10 commerical theaterical processor and it has 10 channel capability.

I think this is the future.

 

[Craig_Kg]

but I don't know that it could become a reality anytime soon in America

Well, I don't know if it EVER become reality down here - our rooms and budgets just aren't big enough.

 

[MarkO]

6.1, 7.1, 16.1,,,, Im sticking to 5.1. Hell I might just go back to 2.1.

 

[George_W_K]

220...221....whatever it takes.

 

[Rich Wenzel]

the 10.2 definitely exists...i read about it...says its great...

but its so impractical...

plus could imagine trying to explain to the wife why you need speakes on the ceiling????

V

 

[George_W_K]

I like the idea of having speakers in the ceiling for a fly by effect. They can be like in-walls, totally recessed. Or they can have motors on them and flip down when needed. I already have upgraditis, doesn't matter if I add to it.

 

[NicholasL]

Tomlinson Holman is a sound professor over at USC where I go to school, and I quote his sales pitch "10.2. It's twice as good."