SRS releases iWOW 2 plug-in for iTunes
updated 10:50 am EDT, Thu September 27, 2007
SRS iWOW 2 iTunes plug-in
Surround specialist SRS Labs has released the second edition of its iWOW plug-in for iTunes. The software is meant to provide 3D sound to listeners, regardless of whether they are using built-in speakers or external ones. The emphasis in iWOW 2 though is on presets, allowing users to create and save settings for individual songs, videos and podcasts, instead of constantly tweaking iTunes' general options. Included presets address podcasts, techno and acoustic music, as well as three settings for video. Finally, an "auto-preset" mode attempts to pick an appropriate preset based on data in a file.
The plug-in has also been improved with a new codec, called SRS Headphone 360. The technology specifically targets sound in videos, and is used to simulate a surround mix while still relying on two-channel headphones. This works in tandem with other existing codecs such as SRS WOW HD, SRS 3D Center Control and SRS Definition. iWOW 2 requires Mac OS X 10.2 and iTunes 6, and costs $20 new or $12 as an upgrade from iWOW 1.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2003
Permanently processing?
I've tried the 1.0 iWow plugin and was impressed. But I have to wonder why we can't simply process our audio files permanently with it to expand the dynamic range and whatever else it's doing. I'm not certain exactly how the surround simulation works, but ultimately it has to boil down to two channels of output, right? I'd like to experiment with saving the "output" of the iWow so that I can use my expanded music in other places... e.g. my car.