Different Home Theater standards
The Dolby Pro Logic surround mode has
been around in many homes for over 4 years now, the technology it self has
been available since the early 90's. The Pro Logic mode is achieved thorough
an analog signal using your stereo VCR, TV set, DVD or any other audio equipment
featuring the stereo technology. The Pro Logic Mode uses four encoded channels
to reproduce the special effects as real as possible. The front left and front
right channels provide a normal stereo output. The center channel is the most
used in the operation as it’s the one keeping the dialogue and other effects
firmly placed at the center of the screen and the fourth channel is the surround
speakers. The surround channel is mono, this means both surround speaker produce
the same effects.
A newer and improved Home Theater standard has
appeared to the big public around the end of 1998, the format it self has
been introduced in early 1996. This newer standard is called Dolby Digital
(AC-3). This is currently the latest development in surround sound. Dolby
Digital is achieved through digital technology to provide full frequency range
channels for the effects. Because of this, every surround speaker will be
operating on its own and outputting different effects to create an even more
real theater experience. Dolby Digital enables precise location of spatial
audio effects, while an extra Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel provides
spectacular explosions effects. Dolby Digital features six encoded channels.
As this mode requires a digital connection, DVD players, digital TV sets and
PC’s featuring digital outputs are the ones who can fully enjoy it.
Another popular home theater standard is DTS
(Digital Theater Systems). The DTS Standard is better known for its superior
audio encoding when compared with Dolby Digital. Like Dolby Digital, DTS uses
six channels to reproduce the sound. What differs DTS from Dolby Digital is
the way DTS stores audio on a disc (DVD). This standard uses less audio compression,
resulting in richer and wider effects that is comparable to the original cinema
soundtrack.
Summation
We
already reviewed two videologic audio setup’s earlier this year. Working with
their products has always been a pleasure; unlike with other speaker sets
that were reviewed at Target PC offering inferior quality for higher price
tags. Priced around 600$ USD, the DigiTheatre DTS system easily enters in
one of the most affordable high-end DTS/AC3 All in one home theater systems
line on the market. The DigiTheatre DTS kit is really that something that
adds another dimension to your movies. We already said it, and will repeat
it again, Videologic makes one of the best speaker systems in the industry,
and their DTS set is without doubts another quality product that surpasses
its competition.
Oleg Mitskaniouk
00.08.15
