[ENDContra]

So Im in the market for a new receiver, and have a question about Circle Surround, since for the time being it is the digital audio format used by ESPN. On my current receiver it shows up as just Dolby 2.0, so Im wondering if this is the normal case or if there are receivers that actually support CS 5.1? (my receiver is 3 years old). This is by no means a deal breaker, but if I found two equal receivers for an equal price and one supported CS, I would probably go for that one.

 

[sdurani]

Circle Surround as used by ESPN is a matrix encoding scheme that folds multi-channel down to 2 channels for broadcast. During playback, you can use any modern matrix decoding (Pro Logic II, Pro Logic IIx, Circle Surround II, DTS Neo:6, LOGIC7) to recover the original channels since they're all designed to be compatible with each other.


BTW, Circle Surround II decodes to 6.1 channels; so if your set-up has more than 5 speakers, it may be worth having. I think there are only a couple of manufacturers that license Circle Surround decoding: Marantz and Kenwood. If there isn't a significant difference in price and features between the two receivers you're considering, then get the one with Circle Surround. Having extra options never hurts.


Best,

Sanjay

 

[M Code]

Quote:

Originally posted by ENDContra So Im in the market for a new receiver, and have a question about Circle Surround, since for the time being it is the digital audio format used by ESPN. On my current receiver it shows up as just Dolby 2.0, so Im wondering if this is the normal case or if there are receivers that actually support CS 5.1? (my receiver is 3 years old). This is by no means a deal breaker, but if I found two equal receivers for an equal price and one supported CS, I would probably go for that one.

Think about Circle Surround as a matrix encode and decode system, matrixing is a process where the program producer takes a multichannel original source collapses it down by encoding it to 2 channels and then when played back through a Circle Surround decoder it is expanded back out to its original multichannel..


If the original source material is encoded in Circle Surround and then played back through a Circle Surround decoder, the sound stage will have some predictability where the placement of the original sound sources were positioned. However if the original sound source is stereo and run through a Circle Surround processor then will some enhanced affect but it is not predictable how well it may sound..


Many broadcasters will use various audio processors such as Circle Surround or Neural Sound so that when played back through a small TV audio sytem it will sound bigger.. Another reason is that frequently their audio may go to Mono for commercials and the subject processing will add some effects.


Bottom line..

Circle Surround decoding is pretty good but so is Dolby Pro Logic 2x, DTS NEO6 and Logic 7.. So I wouldn't pay extra for Circle Surround.. Make your AVR purchase decision on other features such as power, style, audio quality, # of inputs, video switching capability and remote control type....