When shows are recorded in surround sound, cable TV signals incorporate multi-channel audio. You’ll need to connect your cable box to a surround sound receiver using HDMI, digital optical, or coaxial cables to get the most out of this listening experience. Because most high-definition cable boxes support all three connection types, finding the proper cable may come down to matching the ports on your surround sound receiver. The actual connections are made in a matter of seconds.
Is surround sound broadcast on cable TV?
Producing surround audio for broadcast is a process that we’ve all had to go through or will soon have to go through. Surround sound will be available on all HDTV broadcasts, and most satellite and digital cable providers currently have the equipment in place to deliver 5.1 surround sound on a regular basis. Furthermore, Dolby Digital is used by all digital cable providers to deliver stereo and surround audio. The table-top channel box will either transmit this out as an AC-3 data stream through its S/PDIF connector, or it will downmix the 5.1 channels into a stereo mix and send it out through the analog stereo outputs.
Even though most broadcasts are migrating to 5.1 surround, the majority of viewers will continue to hear your surround mix in stereo for many years to come. It’s also impossible to keep the stereo listeners’ vow of “do no damage.” Creating a surround mix that sounds excellent on the majority of surround playback systems is a very simple process; however, getting multichannel mixes play back in stereo or even mono is more difficult. It’s not as simple as adding three extra speakers and some ambient crowd noise to the rear channels to create an effective surround mix. A good monitoring system and a mechanism to check for downmix cancellations are the most crucial things you’ll need.
What are the surround sound channels?
If you’ve ever gone to a movie theater, you’re familiar with the concept of surround sound. Sounds coming behind you, to your left or right, appear to be helicopters circling the room. Home theater systems can begin with as few as 3.1 channels (left and right speakers plus a center channel and subwoofer), but the great majority begin with 5.1 and work their way up.
For the great bulk of movie or TV audio, a typical 5.1-channel speaker arrangement depends on the left and right stereo speakers, with conversation coming through the center channel speaker to make it simpler to comprehend. Two surround speakers, placed to your side or behind you, contribute to the sense of immersion.
Construction
HDMI cables are primarily made of copper. It’s a low-cost material with the potential for interference. Fiber optics is the major component of optical cables. A little bundle of glass strands. They are costly and only transmit light signals rather than power. They’re also less prone to interference. Other light sources are kept out of the cable by the dark sheath that surrounds it.
Length
For some people, the length limit may not be an issue. A distinct group of owners may require it, such as those with custom-designed media rooms that necessitate long cable runs. Longer cables, however, invariably result in a loss of signal quality. So, if you have a choice between fiber optic cable and HDMI, go with the shorter option. The optical wires should be at least 10 meters long. Even though some individuals still use it with a 30 meter length. There are no similar suggestions for HDMI. However, for the best sound quality, we recommend HDMI for distances of 5 meters or fewer. Optical connections are a suitable alternative for extended distances.
Audio
Surround sound with up to 5.1 channels is supported through fiber optical links. HDMI supports Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, and DTS HD formats. Although almost all television programming is transmitted in surround sound, several Blu-ray discs provide improved sound quality. So, if you enjoy watching Blu-ray movies, HDMI is the way to go.
Video
HDMI cables are capable of transporting both audio and video. It eliminates the requirement for a second cable. Opting for an optical cable, on the other hand, will necessitate the use of a second type of cable to transport your video signal. It’s possible that the total cost of the two cables will be higher than one HDMI cable. As a result, do your homework on cost before making a decision.
Bottom Line
HDMI can help you achieve your goals. They are cost-effective and make setup easier. However, if your equipment lacks HDMI, you won’t be able to enjoy Blu-high-resolution ray’s audio formats. On the other hand, Dolby Digital is a good format for which you’ll require strong equipment. Even with Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA, it won’t be able to produce good sound.
In the end, it comes down to personal preferences. Even optical cables produce acceptable audio. However, we live in a convenient environment. And HDMI has become the standard cable for everything. And if your system supports it, it may be difficult to argue against.
You won’t have to worry about the wire jungle with HDMI’s feature set, upgradeability, and ability to support both formats. Plus, you’ll get fantastic results.
Is there surround sound on a Smart TV?
Your Smart TV may be transformed into a home theater with the right surround sound system. Nakamichi and Samsung feature some of the most expensive, yet pro-grade, options if you’re a great fan of premium sound quality and are willing to invest.
What is the best way to receive 5.1 surround sound on my smart TV?
If your TV won’t output in 5.1, you’ll need an HDMI audio extractor or input selector to provide the soundbar a surround sound output.
What’s the best way to get my TV to play through my surround sound system?
If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick guide to setting up a surround sound system:
- Purchase a sound system that allows for surround sound. An AV receiver is the most versatile option, but you can also go with an all-in-one home theater system or a soundbar with surround sound speakers.
- Install the sound system and surround speakers throughout the space. Although some speaker systems include wireless speakers, the majority of them will require the use of speaker cable.
- Connect the sound system to the content source. Connect the audio outputs from your TV or content source to the sound system using HDMI, optical, or coaxial connectors.
- Play material with surround sound audio on your device, and make sure your audio system is set to the correct input.
Is there still a market for surround sound?
Multichannel home theater sound is on the decline in 2014, with an increasing percentage of buyers opting for single-speaker sound bars. Multichannel sound in the home is quickly diminishing, and multichannel over headphones never caught on. Home surround sound for music and movies appears to have a grim future.
One of the issues with multichannel music is that no one has worked out what to do with the extra channels. The first four-channel Quadraphonic surround recordings came in the early 1970s, but engineers have yet to figure out what to do with all of those channels for music after 40 years. Only one musician, Steven Wilson, has regularly produced good work, but no other prominent artists have embraced 5.1 channel, music-only (no video) formats.
Even if artists and consumers fell in love with surround music overnight, I’m not confident that engineers could create recordings that sound better than stereo. When I go to acoustic performances without PA speakers, I’ve noticed that practically all of the sound comes from the performers on stage. The sound of instruments fills the concert hall; the music is right in front of me. When I sit close to the players, say 20 feet away, I hear a “stereo” image. I could point to each instrument with my eyes closed; I hear the drums are further back, behind the guitars and vocals. I can hear depth from the back and sides of the hall, but almost nothing from the front. Although stereo recordings are imprecise, adding a center and/or rear-channel speaker does not improve the sound quality.
Some of the finest stereo recordings put me inside a sound “bubble” with amazing headphones like the Shure SE846 and Audeze LCD-X; I feel like I’m in the room with the band. It’s not quite surround sound, but I get a better sense of the location where the song was recorded.
Every attempt at surround sound has failed, including quadraphonic, DTS 5.1 surround CDs, SACD, and DVD-A. The evidence is clear: if people liked 5.1 music, there would be a lot more surround releases. Please share your thoughts in the comments if you know of any outstanding new 5.1-channel rock, jazz, or world music releases that haven’t been remixed.
Surround has been around for a long time, but there isn’t much to show for it. When you factor in the reality that fewer and fewer music listeners own surround systems, the market for surround music is even smaller than it was previously.
Surround Sound System
A 7.1 surround system combines all of the features of a 5.1 channel system with the addition of two more rear speakers. It’s an eight-channel setup that you’ll find in most home theaters. The addition of two rear speakers to a 7.1 home cinema surround system delivers an even more rich, rounded sound experience. This is due to the fact that the two side surround speakers will not be in charge of both rear and surround sound.
The original six channels of a 5.1 surround system should be placed at a 135 to 150-degree angle from the center channel/TV for the best surround sound experience, but the two rear speakers should ideally be placed at a 135 to 150-degree angle from the center channel/TV for the best surround sound experience.
Surround Sound System
This design may appear complicated when looking at the numbers, but the 7.1.2 surround system is merely a 7.1 surround sound setup with the addition of two ceiling or upward-firing speakers. This setup is primarily made up of Dolby Atmos in-ceiling speakers, and you can learn more about the Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 speaker layout and settings here.
This surround system works best with a flat ceiling comprised of drywall or plaster that isn’t more than 14 feet in height. This is a top-of-the-line home theater setup.
Although this technology is becoming increasingly widely employed in home theaters, it offers a top-of-the-line, realistic, and immersive home theater experience by producing a sound dome in your home. This setup is possible as long as your receiver is Dolby Atmos compliant.
Is it worthwhile to invest in surround sound speakers?
We’re not going to lie to you and tell you that surround sound systems are cheapthey aren’t. However, for the most part, they are well worth it.
You might be wondering why you should invest in a surround sound system for your home in the Boston area. After all, don’t many current TVs already come with amazing speakers? Shouldn’t it be enough?
No, we don’t believe so. Continue reading to learn more about surround sound and why we believe you should hire us to install it.
HDMI or HDMI ARC: which is better?
The acronym ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. Practically every HDMI cable and almost all HDMI inputs employ this technology. While a standard HDMI connector can only carry video images, ARC adds the ability to send audio from a TV back to the source, such as a receiver or soundbar. This implies that you only need one wire to send both video and audio signals.