[Rachael Bellomy]

The only other unit out is the ADA unit.That should change soon. A Pioner rep told me they are readying one for the market.I'd expect to see units with built-in amps on down the road.I'm using the Smart Jr. with a Marantz AV 9000 and I very pleased! The EX channel has been very active in every 5.1 recording I've played except GALAXY QUEST which seems to have been short changed on the audio side.LD or DVD, AC-3 or DTS it makes no difference. All 5.1 recordings are "EX" to a certain extent.I had a thread about adding EX in the last thirty days,AvDoc kindly instructed me how to set up EX using an old Pro-Logic preamp to matrix the rear center.EX is a nice litle tweek,try it!


------------------


Ms. Bitchlist

 

[al chaney]

I am considering purchasing a surround-ex 6.1 processor. I

have received some literature on the Smart CS-3X,Jr.

which has the SP1 out for future or overhead surround(7.1)


Can someone advise me on this units performance or other

6.1 or 7.1 Surround-EX processors.


Al chaney

 

[raoul]

I thought EX was 6.1 because the rear channel is matrixed. Is that wrong?

Have I misunderstood what you're saying? At any rate, ONKYO now make a MONSTER reciever that does EX has a THX cert and costs close to 2K+.


R

 

[stephenC]

I'm expecting the Denon AVR-5800 (5700 replacement) to have the EX feature. The 4800 (out now) has the ability with an extra 2 channel amp. According to the Denon web site the 5800 is due in July/August.

 

[Oscar Neundorfer]

Yes, the ex format is a matrixed format. The Left Surround, Right Surround, and the Rear Surround (ex channel) are matrixed like the front channels on a optical stereo print. This was hyped greatly as some new technology when Phantom Menace came out, but it is nothing more than tried and true matrix technology.


Now, there are basically 2 different matrices on the market today, one being the Pro Logic matrix, and the other being the Circle Surround matrix. The SMART CS-3X, Jr. uses the Circle Surround matrix which has received great reviews from many people, and is widely thought to be superior in many ways to the Pro Logic matrix.


Both will work to give you the ex format, but the general concensus is that the Circle Surround unit from SMART works better, especially in regard to decoding 5.1 soundtracks which are not ex encoded. You can look at many topics here on this forum where this point is made and commented upon.


*** SHAMELESS SELF-SERVING PLUG ***

Don't take my word for it since I am the Chief Engineer of SMART Devices, and I am likely to be prejudiced in favor of my own products. Instead, go to the bottom of this page
http://www.smartdev.com/home.htm


and click on the reviews to see for yourself.


Best regards,





------------------

Oscar Neundorfer

Chief Engineer

SMART Devices, Inc.


[email protected]

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Thanks again Oscar,I love my unit and it's quiet! The unit is so easy to set up in a simple (sorta!) system like mine.No problemo,mi amigo!


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[Sung]

Yeah, I'm generally pleased with my Smart unit also, although I do get that annoying "hiss" sound whenever the rear channels are not active. I have my rear centers mounted on my ceiling because of no back wall. Other features I would have like to have seen on it: delay feature, adjustable (and easier) pink noise generator, remote, and AC trigger to toggle the device whenever the amp is on.

 

[Oscar Neundorfer]

Thanks, Rachael for the kind words!!


Sung, we need to talk regarding the hiss noise. Sounds like something may not be set up quite correctly. E-mail me with your processor make and model and amplifier makes and models for the surround channels. Let's see if we can quiet it down.


Best regards,




------------------

Oscar Neundorfer

Chief Engineer

SMART Devices, Inc.


[email protected]

 

[eaadams]

Please keep us updated on the hiss problem.