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Theater Systems
Whether you are sinking with the Titanic, or dodging blasts with the Terminator, you will
certainly notice the difference with a Valley-installed home theater system.
Our installers are professionals who have been in the business
for more than 20 years and know
what great entertainment is about. They can help you tailor a system to match your
entertainment needs.
By using the best equipment built, Valley can guarantee you'll
be thrilled with your investment
in a system that will make you the envy of the neighborhood.
Ever wonder what the difference is in audio formats? Wonder no longer!
SURROUND FORMATS ANALOG
Dolby Surround Sound
This is a four speaker based system available on CATV, VHS, Digital Broadcast Satellite (DBS)
and Laserdisc (LD). It consists of a left and right main or front channel and a left and
right surround or rear channel. The surrounds are a mono signal derived from the left and right
main channels.
Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound
Pro-logic is an enhancement of Dolby Surround Sound. The one change is the addition of a
center channel that locks the dialog and main action to the video display. The center and
surrounds are a mono signal derived from the left and right main channels. This format is
available on CATV, VHS, DBS, LD and versatile disc (DVD).
Dolby Pro Logic II
Pro Logic II is a dramatically improved, updated matrix surround system, based on the
principles used to develop the original Dolby Pro Logic decoding back in the 1980’s. The
original Pro Logic features four channels – front, left, center, and front right, plus a
mono surround channel that is usually split between two rear speakers. The surround channel is
also “band-limited,” reducing the treble frequencies. Pro Logic II further enhances the sound
with a full-range stereo surround output and a greatly improved steering logic, resulting in
high channel separation and an exceptionally stable sound field.
DISCREET BASED SURROUND SOUND FORMATS (Digital)
Dolby Digital-Surround EX
Dolby Digital-Surround EX is a new format just newly announced. It was initially only for
commercial applications starting with the release of the StarWars Prequel, Episode 1 – The
Phantom Menace.
Recently, several models of receivers have started to feature this format.
So, what is Dolby Digital-Surround EX? It is a 6.1 channel discrete system with a front left
and right and center, subwoofer and two side/rear left and right with rear center, 7.1 is
the addition of another channel and using them as rears for a total of seven channels (take
in accordance channels four and five should be used now as sides instead of rears). So what are
the benefits? You can expect much-improved 360 degree and front-to-back transitions. Ambient
sound placement should also be much improved.
Dolby Digital (DD) (AC-3)
Dolby Digital (DD) (AC-3) was the first encoding to offer up to 5.1 (6 total) discrete channels
of surround sound. The six channels consist of five full range discrete channels and a discrete
narrow bandwidth bass channel. Dolby Digital is available on laser discs, DVD and DSS. Dolby
Digital is the accepted audio encoding for DVD (NTSC version) and the standard for HDTV.
Note: The terms Dolby Digital, DD and AC-3 are interchangeable. AC-3 is the most popular
reference to this format, but recent marketing changes have reserved this acronym for
commercial encoding using Audio coding, revision 3. Dolby Digital (DD) is the accepted
consumer decoding designation.
Digital Theater Systems (DTS)
DTS consists of five discrete full range channels and one discrete narrow bandwidth bass
channel. DTS is available on laser discs and on DVD. DTS uses a much less radical
compression scheme. approximately 3:1 vs. AC-3’s 12:1. Many people have said this
reduced compression results in a noticeable improvement in the quality and realism of DTS
soundtracks.
It is important to note that DTS requires a specific decoder and requires a digital out
from your compact disc or laser disc player. DTS will utilize the PCM track on these media.
DTS is positioning itself as a niche product catering to the high end of home theater but
lately, hardware pricing has been reduced to the point that the “average” home theater
enthusiast is able to experience DTS and Dolby Digital in one affordable system.
Comparisons of Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS
Audio magazine as well as HomeTheater Magazine have both conducted comparisons between these
two formats with some surprising results. In summary they found no format to have a clear
advantage over the other.
Home THX Certification
Contrary to popular belief, THX is not a surround format. THX is a set of minimum standards
and methods that ensure accurate home reproduction of a theatrical release’s soundtrack.
This is done by fulfilling two fundamental requirements, the need to correct the audible tonal
and spatial errors caused by the playback of soundtracks designed for large commercial theaters
in the smaller spaces of the typical home theater and a need to more accurately reproduce
the complex and competing sound fields found in multi-channel sound playback.
THX Ultra (formerly THX)
THX Ultra addresses the challenges required to accurately playback movies at home with all
the depth, accuracy and impact as found in commercial THX theaters. The specifications are
centered around a 3000 cu. Ft. room.
THX includes minimum performance specifications for speakers, acoustically transparent
video screens, equalizers, interconnect cables, laserdisc and DVD-video players. In order
to properly reproduce the soundtrack originally intended for large commercial theaters, Home
THX Controllers include multi-channel circuitry and the necessary electronic enhancements
including Re-equalization, Timbre Matching, and Decorrelation.
Components currently meeting the THX standard will be rebadged as THX Ultra products and
will continue to represent the ultimate in surround sound performance. Development is underway
on new technologies and features to raise the performance bar for future THX Ultra products.
THX Select
THX Select was developed to address the explosive growth of home theater and its real
world implementations. Specifically, smaller listening roomers housing today’s home theaters
and the wide acceptance and implementation of 5.1 discrete audio systems. The new standard
was developed for a 2000 cubic foot room (instead of THX Ultra’s 3000+ cu.ft.) and revised
multichannel amplifier and speaker specifications to ensure their ability to reproduce the
dynamic 5.1 soundtracks. Lucas arts assures us that THX Select receivers will include all the
same proprietary features and technical integrity that allow the THX Home Theater System
to accurately reproduce a film soundtrack in the home.
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