Discs with "5.1" Sound That Really Isn't - Blu-ray Forum

UFAlien · 12-19-2017, 03:56 AM

Anyone else encountered a Blu-ray with audio labeled 5.1 on the menus/packaging that really isn't? I took a look at the "5.1" audio mix on The Towering Inferno in Audacity, and it turns out the surround channels are both identical - i.e., it's really a 4.1 mix (presumably the original four-track stereo with LFE). Is this something I should try to edit the page for to indicate somehow?

BozQ · 12-19-2017, 05:53 AM

It's most likely the original 4.0 track in a 5.1 container. Since most home theaters has a 5.1/7.1 set up than a 4.0 one, this would offer the closest to theatrical soundtrack without any upmixing.

I don't think it's necessary to update the site. But it's worth taking note, maybe create a thread and make a list.

Buscemi · 12-19-2017, 06:02 AM

Woody Allen's titles since To Rome with Love have had 5.1 mixes (a number before then had 3.0 mixes, based on theatrical digital mixes that were contained in a 5.1 format). I wouldn't be surprised if these did not use all the channels as Woody has never cared much for dynamic range audio (though he was mixing in Dolby SR as early as 1990).

12-19-2017, 03:56 AM	#1
UFAlien Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:475 Blu-ray reviews: 14 Trading Score:29	Discs with "5.1" Sound That Really Isn't Anyone else encountered a Blu-ray with audio labeled 5.1 on the menus/packaging that really isn't? I took a look at the "5.1" audio mix on The Towering Inferno in Audacity, and it turns out the surround channels are both identical - i.e., it's really a 4.1 mix (presumably the original four-track stereo with LFE). Is this something I should try to edit the page for to indicate somehow?

12-19-2017, 05:53 AM	#2
BozQ Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Singapore 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:-	It's most likely the original 4.0 track in a 5.1 container. Since most home theaters has a 5.1/7.1 set up than a 4.0 one, this would offer the closest to theatrical soundtrack without any upmixing. I don't think it's necessary to update the site. But it's worth taking note, maybe create a thread and make a list.

12-19-2017, 06:02 AM	#3
Buscemi Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Aug 2013 4K collection:10 Blu-ray collection:3841	Woody Allen's titles since To Rome with Love have had 5.1 mixes (a number before then had 3.0 mixes, based on theatrical digital mixes that were contained in a 5.1 format). I wouldn't be surprised if these did not use all the channels as Woody has never cared much for dynamic range audio (though he was mixing in Dolby SR as early as 1990).

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