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The Dolby SA10 Surround
Adapter
Dolby Digital–Surround
EXTM
The New Development
in Digital Surround Technology
Dolby Laboratories Inc. and
Lucasfilm THX developed the Dolby Digital–Surround EX format in response
to requests from Gary Rydstrom, Director of Creative Operations at Skywalker
Sound (Lucas Digital Ltd. LLC), who had wanted added flexibility in creating
soundtracks for many years.
What it is
Dolby Digital–Surround EX adds a third
surround channel to digital film sound, a concept first envisioned by sound
designers at Lucasfilm's Skywalker Sound post-production facility. Jointly
developed by Dolby Laboratories and Lucasfilm THX, Dolby Digital–Surround
EX gives mixers a new level of creative freedom.
Dolby Digital–Surround EX is fully
compatible with all current 5.1 digital formats and theatre systems. Prints
that use it play normally with current systems, and provide the extra surround
channel when played over systems equipped with a new Dolby SA10 adapter.
What it does
It has long
been known that a center screen channel is necessary to ensure the precise
localization of front sounds for all viewers, including those seated off to the
sides. Dolby Digital–Surround EX brings similar benefits to the surround
sound field. With Dolby Digital–Surround EX, a center surround channel is
reproduced by the speaker array at the back of the theatre, while left and
right surround is reproduced by the side arrays (see illustration). This means
that sounds can now be positioned behind the audience, opening the door to
exciting new effects such as true 360° pans.
The center surround channel also makes
front-to-back and back-to-front transitions more realistic. Flyovers really
seem to pass overhead, rather than down the sides of the theatre. Even ambient
sound reproduction is improved, being less affected by the width of the
theatre. Equally important, the new center surround channel assures that even
viewers seated close to the left or right of the theatre experience the total
surround ambience intended by the filmmaker.
What it
requires
In most cases, equipping an
existing 5.1 digital installation for Dolby Digital–Surround EX is simple
and economical. All it usually requires is adding the new Dolby SA10 adapter;
wiring the surround speakers into left, center, and right groups; and providing
an additional channel of surround amplification.
On the production side, Dolby sound consultants
will provide filmmakers with the assistance and equipment necessary to prepare
compatible Dolby Digital–Surround EX surround sound-tracks.
How it came about
As they began to
envision the sound design for the new-generation Star Wars: Episode
I-The Phantom Menace, mixers at Skywalker Sound took a critical look at the
5.1-channel configuration that has been the state of the art since 1992. While
two surround channels constituted a major step forward from the single channel
of earlier formats, they nevertheless limit creativity, and viewers seated far
to the left and right of the screen are at a disadvantage. Experiments showed
that a center rear channel provides exciting new creative opportunities and
better delineates the sound field for off-axis viewers. Skywalker staff then
turned to Dolby Laboratories and Lucasfilm THX to make the new surround
configuration a reality.
THX certified theatres
THX certified theatres provide the ideal
environment for getting the most out of Dolby Digital–Surround EX. THX
certified theatres are ideally suited to take advantage of this new format as
they meet acoustical requirements specifically developed for movie soundtracks.
In addition, they have most of the necessary equipment already in place for
proper playback, including speakers on the rear wall of the theatre.
More films to follow
In addition to
Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace, a number of other upcoming
titles have been announced using Dolby Digital–Surround EX. |
Dolby Digital–Surround EX at a
glance:
- Debuts in May 1999 with Star Wars: Episode I-The
Phantom Menace.
- Adds center surround channel to 5.1 digital.
- Compatible prints play normally on current systems, and
provide center surround on systems with new Dolby SA10 adapter.
- Enables rear localization, true 360° pans, convincing
flyovers, new effects.
- Viewers seated close to the left and right of the screen
experience better-balanced surround sound.
- Simple, economical theatre installation.
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specifications page.
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