History - Surround Sound
In 1988, Dolby Pro Logic preamplifiers hit the market place, truly launching
the new revolution of home theater. Dolby Surround had been available for
several years, offering rear channel steering, but it wasn't until the introduction
of Dolby Pro Logic, a center channel matrix of the front right and left
stereo signal, that home theater truly took off. The differences between
Dolby Surround and Dolby Pro Logic are dramatic. Dialogue in particular,
which use to emanate from both front and left speakers, now was more focused,
coming from a new center channel speaker.
In 1995,
Dolby Digital, at the time called AC-3, was introduced to the home theater
market. It was delivered on laser discs that offered a special 5.1 audio
channel. For those home theater enthusiast who had previously incorporated
a Dolby Pro Logic preamplifier or receiver in their home theater, Dolby
Digital 5.1 home theater proved to deliver an exciting, significantly more
real surround sound experience than Pro Logic. Naturally, since not all
software or broadcasts, even to this day, are 5.1 encoded, these systems
provided both Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoding.
In the first half of 1996, DTS introduced their first 5.1 encoded music
CDs and films on laser disc. While the decoding technology required for
DTS is different than that required for Dolby Digital, the speakers and
power amplifiers in the home theater play both formats without the need
to change or alter equipment. Assuming that the preamplifier or receiver
can decode both DTS and Dolby Digital, both 5.1 formats coexist in a sngle
home theater.
Towards the end of 1996, DVDs began shipping, offering 5.1 sound for
most new films encoded in that format. The rest is history as the success
of DVD software makes 5.1 easily accessible.
So what is the next new audio technology coming to the home theater market
and how does it affect you? Does it make your current equipment obsolete?
How much will it cost?
Please select TAKE THE ADA TOUR to continue with ADA 6.1 Surround.
Audio Design Associates, Inc - www.ada-usa.com - 1-800-43-AUDIO
or (914) 946-9595