Surround Sound-The New Phase

The objective as well as the terminological specification for -enveloping sound field-covering, wrapping and packing,- still involves the technical implementation of enveloping sound, often called surround sound. The previous stages of development of spatial signal transmission and stereo definition, which brought much progress, are discussed. For the time being, the 4-2-4 coding matrix format is broadly in use in film and in the home, but more and more discrete-channel technologies, up to 8 delivery/recording channels, are coming up. In the near future, a new quality of multichannel sound will also be available for the home, based on ITU/SMPTE reproduction reference standard and modern coding methods. Capabilities and limits of this new 5 (5.1) discrete channel standard are shown; they can still be exhausted, independent on the coding for delivery because we have, more or less, transparent channels. Interactive services and surround home processors may produce more convenience and movie theater illusion. But most of all, new ideas are needed by the experienced sound designers for handling multichannel surround sound for the different applications.