PCM 2.0 Down-conversion: "Surround Encoded"

[AllOuttaBubbleGum]

I encountered a problem with the DTS core from a MA track the other day, and had to resort to down-converting to two channel PCM over Toslink in an attempt to pump up the dialog a little bit. It worked, and very well. I was getting clear, loud voices and some terrific virtual surround activity via my Sound bar and wondered what role, if any, having the "surround encoded" option selected for the PCM 2.0 was playing in my surprisingly good Pro Logic II expansion of the down-mix.

For the record, I'm using a Panasonic DMP BDT-230 with with DTS/DTSMA bit-streaming turned off, PCM down-conversion turned on (w/a 48kHz sampling frequency)...with "surround encoded" selected.

Does this process utilize any of the multi-channel surround information in creating a mono surround track akin to one heard, for example, with dolby surround encoding?

As a down-mix solution, it sounded pretty great.

Thanks in advance for any input on this...

[stsanborn]

In terms of 2.0 LPCM output via S/PDIF, the "surround" player setting always refers to Pro Logic or Neo:6 compatible encoding. Your player's "surround encoded" setting will output 2.0 Lt/Rt (surround). Disabling that feature will output 2.0 L/R (stereo).

In my experience, decoding a 2.0 L/R signal using Pro Logic or Neo:6 yields less than desirable results, often with dialogue audible in the surround speakers.

Originally Posted by AllOuttaBubbleGum

Does this process utilize any of the multi-channel surround information in creating a mono surround track akin to one heard, for example, with dolby surround encoding?

That's a good question. My understanding is yes.

[AllOuttaBubbleGum]

Originally Posted by stsanborn

In terms of 2.0 LPCM output via S/PDIF, the "surround" player setting always refers to Pro Logic or Neo:6 compatible encoding. Your player's "surround encoded" setting will output 2.0 Lt/Rt (surround). Disabling that feature will output 2.0 L/R (stereo).

In my experience, decoding a 2.0 L/R signal using Pro Logic or Neo:6 yields less than desirable results, often with dialogue audible in the surround speakers.


That's a good question. My understanding is yes.

I appreciate the reply. Sometimes getting a problematic track is fun; I enjoy the in-player re-mixing.

I'm curious whether I might be able to surround encode a center-channel-only mono track I have on one title, but I'm inclined to doubt it what with there being no additional channel audio to draw from. At best, I think I'll be stuck with a straight port of 2.0 stereo--the mono doubled to L/R--I could then expand, somewhat lifelessly, with Pro Logic II. Alas, it's better than being limited to that center channel...