Term of the Moment
integrated circuit
Redirected from: object-based audio
Definition: surround sound
A recording and playback system that provides a more realistic audio environment for a home or movie theater compared to the classic stereo configuration. Action movies as well as concerts are greatly enhanced with surround sound techniques. See Immersive Sound.
Virtualized Sound
Surround sound can also be "virtualized" in a soundbar, which is a speaker configuration in the front of the listener. Psychoacoustic technology is used to trick the brain to believe that the sound is also coming from the rear. However, such technology has audible artifacts, such as phasing and a less natural timbre or positioning of sounds, and does not deliver the same surround experience as rear speakers that move air from behind.
Channel Based
The first audio reproduction used one microphone and one speaker. Subsequently, more microphones were used all mixed into the same monophonic channel. In the late 1950s, stereo players and phonograph records emerged using left and right channels for a more pleasing sound experience. In the 1970s, four-channel sound appeared but was never popular (see quadraphonic sound). Today, the widely used 5.1 speaker setup is typically a channel-based format.
Outputs Up to Eight Channels
Object Based
Object-based audio started in the gaming industry and later migrated to movies with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and AuroMax, all of which create a more immersive 3D experience. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X use two layers of speakers, while AuroMax's three-layered system can reproduce the reflections generated around the original sources for a more natural sound experience. See Immersive Sound, Dolby Atmos, DTS and Auro-3D.
Hybrid
A hybrid format combines different technologies. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are widely known as object formats; however, they use mainly channel-based sound and are thus "hybrid" formats along with MPEG-H and Auro-3D. See Dolby Atmos, DTS, 3D Audio and Auro-3D.
Virtualized Sound
Surround sound can also be "virtualized" in a soundbar, which is a speaker configuration in the front of the listener. Psychoacoustic technology is used to trick the brain to believe that the sound is also coming from the rear. However, such technology has audible artifacts, such as phasing and a less natural timbre or positioning of sounds, and does not deliver the same surround experience as rear speakers that move air from behind.
Channel Based
The first audio reproduction used one microphone and one speaker. Subsequently, more microphones were used all mixed into the same monophonic channel. In the late 1950s, stereo players and phonograph records emerged using left and right channels for a more pleasing sound experience. In the 1970s, four-channel sound appeared but was never popular (see quadraphonic sound). Today, the widely used 5.1 speaker setup is typically a channel-based format.
CHANNEL-BASED CONFIGURATIONS Type Dimensions Channels mono 1 stereo 1D 2 surround 2D 6 (5.1) 8 (7.1) Immersive 3D 10 (5.1 + 4 height) Immersive 3D 12 (7.1 + 4 height) ISO 3D 24 (22.2)
The outputs on this Oppo Blu-ray player are wired to their respective amplifier inputs. FL/FR = front left/right. C = center. SL/SR = surround left/right. SBL/SBR = surround back left/right. SW = subwoofer.
Object Based
Object-based audio started in the gaming industry and later migrated to movies with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and AuroMax, all of which create a more immersive 3D experience. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X use two layers of speakers, while AuroMax's three-layered system can reproduce the reflections generated around the original sources for a more natural sound experience. See Immersive Sound, Dolby Atmos, DTS and Auro-3D.
Hybrid
A hybrid format combines different technologies. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are widely known as object formats; however, they use mainly channel-based sound and are thus "hybrid" formats along with MPEG-H and Auro-3D. See Dolby Atmos, DTS, 3D Audio and Auro-3D.