Surround sound systems became more complex because peoples began to want more than two speakers. A person who was used to making choices regarding only left and right speakers had to begin to make more complex choices about different surround sound formats. Each of these formats had difference in the way that they moved sound, used data, and the type of cable that were required to utilize that format.
The chart that this article provides is one that explains these different formats and there differences. Understanding the differences between these formats is important for people to understand there limit. The earliest forms of surround sound system used four channels.
How to Choose the Right Surround Sound System
Most creators made these four channel systems for use in movie theaters. These systems worked for the time in which they were created, but they did not provide for the concept of treating sound as a flexible object. With the arrival of digital formats, five full range speakers and a subwoofer became the new standard for surround sound systems.
This format is referred to as 5.1 surround sound systems, and it is the most common surround sound system that surround sound systems support. The reason for the 5.1 surround sound system being the most common is that 5.1 surround sound systems exist within the bandwidth of the older connections. Additionally, 5.1 surround sound systems allow for sound to move in different directions around the room.
The chart displays information regarding the two most common lossy codec that are distributed through an optical cable, indicating the reasons that each of these codecs is common among consumer devices. Lossless sound formats became possible with the introduction of HDMI connection to audio systems receivers. Lossless sound formats allow surround sound systems to retain every bit of the original recording, while lossy codecs discard data to allow for the storage of media in smaller spaces.
The main difference between lossless and lossy audio codecs is heard during music or during quiet period within the film that is being watched. These lossless formats are marked on the chart, and the connection column for each of these audio codecs indicate the types of connection that is required to recieve each of these audio formats. Without an HDMI connection between the media player and the audio system receiver, lossless audio cannot be transmitted to the audio system.
Object-based audio is a different audio format different than the others discussed. Audio designers can place sound elements anywhere within three-dimensional space with object-based audio systems. With older surround sound systems, audio was locked to specific speakers, whereas object-based audio is not locked to those speakers.
The chart separates object-based audio formats from the channel-based audio formats because the rules for each of these systems is different. Channel-based audio systems use a specific number of speakers to play the audio, while object-based audio systems ask the user for the number of available speakers for the audio system. Object-based audio systems are helpful in situations in which speakers cannot be placed in the best spots to play their audio elements, but object-based audio systems require the receiver to perform more work in real time to play the audio.
The bitrate for audio formats is another factor that affects audio systems. Lossless audio formats can require more than twenty megabits per second (mbps) to play the audio data. Optical connections, however, have limits to the data rates at which they can transfer audio data.
Many individuals have experience in which Atmos audio is played back on their audio systems as 5.1 surround sound systems, even though the audio system was capable of supporting Atmos. This is due to the fact that the audio cable cannot transmit Atmos data to the audio system. Many common setup errors occur as a result of the technical limitation of audio systems.
For example, many individuals may attempt to use optical connections for audio data for moddern audio formats. Additionally, people may set their audio players to PCM audio out instead of audio out for audio systems. The main reason for using PCM audio out is that the system decodes the audio prior to the audio being sent to the audio system.
These common errors become visible to potential audio system users through the use of the chart provided in this article. A person must match three components to their audio system: the source of the audio that they own, the audio cable that they use for their audio system, and the layout of speakers in their room. For example, if a person streams audio media to their audio system, they can use lossy Atmos audio formats to provide height channel speakers, even if they dont use lossless audio formats for their audio system.
If, however, a person uses DVDs and other physical disc for their audio media, and if those audio components have HDMI connections throughout the audio system, higher resolution audio formats are beneficial to the individuals that use the audio system. By understanding the differences between these audio systems, audio users can make an informed choice about which audio system to purchase.