Dolby Digital Explained
Jan 23 '00 (Updated Jul 07 '00)
Dolby Digital is more than just six channels of sound. It is the new format of home theatre sound and blows away Dolby Pro-logic.
Basically, Dolby Digital (also known as 5.1, AC-3, Audio Code number three, and Dolby Digital 5.1) sound consists of six separate channels or locations of sound. The 5, in 5.1 represents the front left, the front center, the front right, the rear/surround right, and the rear/surround left. The .1 in 5.1 represents the sub, which plays the low or bass sounds. It is not called Dolby Digital 6.0 because the location of the .1 bass module does not matter—as long as it is nearby. Thus, you have five speakers pumping out sound waves individual to them and a sub making the bass.
The normal human ear can hear frequencies between 20Hz and 20,000Hz. (lower Hz numbers mean lower sounds and more umph, lower sounds are found on the left side of the piano, and higher Hz are found to the right of the piano) Based upon this, Dolby labs designed Dolby Digital to play exactly those sounds. Generally though, the output of the five speakers will range from 3Hz to 20,300Hz. The sub with its LFE, Low Frequency Effect, will output at about 5-100Hz. Conversely, the “older” Dolby Pro-Logic, with its single rear channel, outputs the surround speaker at about 100Hz to 7,000Hz. (the fronts are full ranged)
Until recently, the luxury of Dolby Digital at home was just that, a luxury. Now with DVDs and high-end laserdiscs, an average person can set up a good Dolby Digital system for less than $1000. (not including a TV)
This leads us to the next question, How do I get Dolby Digital sound at home? After purchasing five speakers and a sub, you need a receiver that is at least Dolby Digital ready, and a DVD or Laserdisc player with Dolby Digital capabilities. I recommend a receiver with a Dolby Digital Decoder in it. Almost always it will have the Dolby Digital logo on the front and to feed the signal you need a DVD player with also a Dolby Digital logo on it. If you have any questions ask the salesman if what you plan to do will produce Dolby Digital sound, if he (or she) says yes and they are not compatible take the stuff back. After you get home and set it up place a DVD with a Dolby Digital logo in the DVD player, set the receiver up correctly and you should be ready to rock.
If you happen to be one of the few elite who have a High Definition Television (HDTV) or the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) and also subscribe to the service you will be able to get the signal’s sound in Dolby Digital. After you get this set-up, please give me an email so I can come to your house and watch.
--SirMontego, look for me on battle.net
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
SirMontego
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Location: America!
Reviews written: 87
Trusted by: 230 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.