nateo200
9th June 2012, 22:28
So we all know about 2ch Matrixing decoders, encoders and encoding and some other cool stuff and I've got some questions and some ideas I'd like to discuss. Ive been thinking allot lately about tech like Dolby Digital EX, and DTS-ES Matrix...discrete 5.1 systems with a rear channel matrixed in...now the obvious way for this to work is for the encoder to encode that matrixed channel onto the left and right surrounds at equal decibels and pan so the decoder simply reads the flag and knows to create the rear center channel "image" by extracting the audio signal out of the Ls and Rs channels when say both the signals are a -8dB... but I have but a few theories/questions that if anyone knows the answers to I would love, but if you don't I love a good discussion.
-Lets say I re-encode the matrixed DTS-ES into another 5.1 format such as AC-3 with no flag. If I use ProLogic IIx matrixing or force Dolby Digital EX on the receiver that center channel "image" is still there right? I mean all it really is the left and right surrounds equal much like the original Dolby Pro Logic where it would extract dialog from the left and right channels. I have "We Were Soldiers" which was coveted as one of the best 6.1 surround mix's and even re-encoded from DTS-ES the Dolby mix that I re-encoded to from handbrake even without the EX flag and just using Pro Logic IIx sounds good (though I never got a chance to listen to the DTS-ES or Dolby EX track).
-Lets say I'm making a short film/video (something I do often), I don't have Pro Tools but I know how to use Final Cut Pro X surround panning, FCP X surround panning only supports 5.1 discrete channels but I'm a huge fan of 6.1 surround....I feel like 5.1 is just missing a channel...sounds awkward to me even in the best mixes, which is why I have my AVR set up for 6.1 for a more closed 360degree surround experience.
-What do you guys think of 5.1, 5.1ES, 6.1 and 7.1 surround?
-Does anyone think that there is a limit to matrixing stereo sources? I mean Ive heard some Pro Logic II encoded sources played back on my AVR as 7.1 and they sound amazing, notably Band of Brothers...but B.O.B. is an amazing 5.1 surround mix so go figure it'll sound amazing down mixed. But sometimes I hear a stereo mix down of a good surround mix and when played back with Pro Logic IIx it sounds like crap with horrible or no steering of the surround channels and no directionality what so ever..the latter was the case with Tron Legacy's DTS-HD 7.1 mix...I was shocked that it could sound that bad! Of course when I played it as DTS-HD 7.1 it sound God like but interesting to note...
If I pan a sound effect right in between the left and right surrounds on the FCP X panner and later encode my file as DTS-ES Matrix with ES pre-mix is that a good way to get my rear center image? I've been doing that and it seams to work well but I can never get answers about how pro's do things other than "Use Pro Tools 9/HD".
It would seam as though I am answering my own questions and I probably am...at least according to my own logic proven by my AV Receivers results but I like discussion.
-Lets say I re-encode the matrixed DTS-ES into another 5.1 format such as AC-3 with no flag. If I use ProLogic IIx matrixing or force Dolby Digital EX on the receiver that center channel "image" is still there right? I mean all it really is the left and right surrounds equal much like the original Dolby Pro Logic where it would extract dialog from the left and right channels. I have "We Were Soldiers" which was coveted as one of the best 6.1 surround mix's and even re-encoded from DTS-ES the Dolby mix that I re-encoded to from handbrake even without the EX flag and just using Pro Logic IIx sounds good (though I never got a chance to listen to the DTS-ES or Dolby EX track).
-Lets say I'm making a short film/video (something I do often), I don't have Pro Tools but I know how to use Final Cut Pro X surround panning, FCP X surround panning only supports 5.1 discrete channels but I'm a huge fan of 6.1 surround....I feel like 5.1 is just missing a channel...sounds awkward to me even in the best mixes, which is why I have my AVR set up for 6.1 for a more closed 360degree surround experience.
-What do you guys think of 5.1, 5.1ES, 6.1 and 7.1 surround?
-Does anyone think that there is a limit to matrixing stereo sources? I mean Ive heard some Pro Logic II encoded sources played back on my AVR as 7.1 and they sound amazing, notably Band of Brothers...but B.O.B. is an amazing 5.1 surround mix so go figure it'll sound amazing down mixed. But sometimes I hear a stereo mix down of a good surround mix and when played back with Pro Logic IIx it sounds like crap with horrible or no steering of the surround channels and no directionality what so ever..the latter was the case with Tron Legacy's DTS-HD 7.1 mix...I was shocked that it could sound that bad! Of course when I played it as DTS-HD 7.1 it sound God like but interesting to note...
If I pan a sound effect right in between the left and right surrounds on the FCP X panner and later encode my file as DTS-ES Matrix with ES pre-mix is that a good way to get my rear center image? I've been doing that and it seams to work well but I can never get answers about how pro's do things other than "Use Pro Tools 9/HD".
It would seam as though I am answering my own questions and I probably am...at least according to my own logic proven by my AV Receivers results but I like discussion.