tech industry

01/03/2006, 7:35pm, EST

Tuesday, January 3rd

Surround sound added to MP3 file format

iPod users everywhere may soon enjoy theater-like surround sound from simple stereo headphones, following today's announcement of the new MP3 file format. Utilizing MP3 SX (MP3 Stereo eXtended) technology that allows enhancing MP3 stereo files for multi-channel playback, "MP3 Surround" presents the feeling of envelopment by using the ambience sounds already present in the stereo source. The new format enables high-quality surround sound at bit rates comparable to those currently used to encode stereo MP3 material, and is backwards compatible to stereo MP3; a legacy MP3 device plays back MP3 Surround as high quality stereo.

Traditionally, surround sound has been primarily limited to loudspeaker setups in living rooms or theaters. With the Ensonido technology, the individual listening experience through portable MP3 Surround players and stereo headphones is enhanced. The company said that it uses an acoustic model to simulate the natural transmission of multi-channel sound from the loudspeakers to the human ear.


Filed under: industry

, , 14comments, del.icio.us, slashdot, digg, buzz


14 comments
Reader Reactions (Please use <i></i> for italic text)

subscribe to comments
for this article




Expand All   Global Settings
Heh
0
01/03, 10:18pm, EST
SRS anyone?
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Dec 2005
User is offline
wow
0
01/03, 11:17pm, EST
wow just in time for everyone to have already abandoned mp3 for aac... yippee
Professional Poster
Joined Jan 2000
User is offline
Couple of things
0
01/03, 11:43pm, EST
First, will it work with surround-sound headphones out there (not just faking it as if it were just stereo headphones).

Second, this won't make it in the iPod for like 5 years, if ever. Apple has put their balls in the AAC camp, they're not going to switch back.

It also won't take off in general, as most people could care less about such things, esp. with regards to music. And who wants to re-rip all their songs, anyway.

Oh, and really, if the source isn't in surround-sound format, all this does is (a) fake a surround sound and (b) destroy the sound of the music the way it was intended...
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Nov 2000
User is offline
funny
0
01/03, 11:44pm, EST
MP3 has always been surround sound capable, because Dolby Pro Logic is encoded in stereo.

Next!
Baninated
Joined Mar 2001
User is offline
furthermore...
0
01/03, 11:46pm, EST
The only way to do 'surround sound' with headphones and not have it be a joke is through Binaural recording..
Baninated
Joined Mar 2001
User is offline
Sorry
0
01/04, 1:48am, EST
I don't really get the utility of surround sound in headphones unless it is as porieux describes above, but i would like it when I airport my laptop library to my stereo.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Apr 2004
User is offline
aac multichannel
0
01/04, 2:52am, EST
hasn't aac been multichannel from the start?
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jun 2005
User is offline
aac multichannel
0
01/04, 2:57am, EST
From http://www.apple.com/quicktime/technologies/aac/

"Support for multichannel audio, providing up to 48 full frequency channels"

So if an AAC player (like iPod) could do the fake surround thing with headphones you'd be sorted.

Don't think anyone need worry that ye olde mp3 is now better than aac.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jun 2005
User is offline
Why bother...
0
01/04, 3:48am, EST
As I understand it:

MP3 Surround v2 - Bolt-on multichannel support for the MP3 format. Backwards compatible with non-surround players.

Ensonido - allows the new multi-channel MP3s to be played on non-multichannel players.

MP3 Stereo eXtended - fake surround sound (stereo imaging enhancer) for two channel outputs.

In no way is this going to magically add surround sound to the iPod. The iPod only has two channel output, adding support for this codec would be a waste of time that could be better spent adding the iTunes Sound Enhancer to the iPod, which would have an effect on any format played back.
Mac Elite
Joined Aug 2004
User is offline
And another thing...
0
01/04, 3:52am, EST
I'm getting tired of MacNN's sensationalist headlines:

"iPod users everywhere may soon enjoy theater-like surround sound from simple stereo headphones!!!"

Yeah. OK.

Combined with the constant spelling and grammar mistakes I'm starting to wonder who's running this show...
Mac Elite
Joined Aug 2004
User is offline
additional comments:..1..2..Next
Your Comments

In order to post comments: If you are a registered member, please login with your MacNN Forums username and password otherwise please uncheck the checkbox below.


Registered Member?
macnn forums login:

macnn forums password:

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

RSS Feeds

Have the latest content delivered to your desktop via RSS. Use the links below to get access to a specific blog, news, or reviews feed.



  MacNN -all

  MacNN Reviews

  MacNN Podcasts

  iPodNN

  Electronista

  Left Lane News

Convert PDF to Word: Easily Convert PDF to Word Doc, Excel, and More. Fast and Accurate. No Registration Trial

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

NewsGator Enterprise RSS: Improve Corporate Communication via Web 2.0, RSS, and Social Computing.

Get an IT Degree Online: Get solid credentials. Take your hobby to the next level. Adult Programs. Affordable.

Buy from The Apple Store, iTunes.com, Amazon.com, TechDepot, OfficeDepot, Computers4Sure, or donate.