3
Multi-Channel Music & Cinema Systems
Theory and Design
This technique overcomes the limitation of the monaural surround channel
inherent in these formats, while remaining true to the front hemisphere
directional cues. The audio imaging tracks the picture image in a way which
fulfills the intent of the sound mixer. The drama of this effect is most
noticeable with strong stereo music soundtracks, and on films with strongly
panned effects.
For film viewing, we provide effects for expanding monaural film sound
tracks (Mono Logic), general TV viewing (TV Matrix) and, of course, direct
two-channel stereo playback (Two Channel).
Our procesors also incorporate Lucasfilm THX Ultra processing, which
compensates for the tonal and spatial characteristics of film soundtracks
mixed for the cinematic environment. Home THX provides improved
reproduction of film soundtracks recorded in Dolby Digital, Dolby Sur-
round, and DTS. The two channel input THX Cinema effect includes a
parameter which allows it to utilize the Lexicon 5 channel surround
technology, although 7 channel operation is inhibited if dipole speakers are
selected.
Lexicon processors equipped with Dolby Digital and DTS are capable of
decoding these discrete digital multichannel formats. These “5.1” formats
have five completely independent channels, each offering full-range fidel-
ity, and a bass-only effects channel, known as the Low Frequency Effects
channel (LFE). Lexicon processors use six of their eight discrete 24-bit D/A
converters to decode these 5.1 channel encoded signals. In addition to
standard decoding for both Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, we also
include our proprietary Logic 7 matrix technology to extend the 5.1 stan-
dard to seven channels, along with some of the LucasFilm Home THX
enhancements. Also included are effects which mix original 5.1 discrete
soundtracks down to two channels which will play back with five or seven
channels of surround when decoded with our processor.
All matrix decoding algorithms in our processors, (including the original
Dolby Pro-Logic effect) utilize a patented, completely digital surround
decoder, the only one with automatic correction of inter-channel phase and
channel-balance errors (the most common audio problems in currently
available video releases of films). The integration of Lexicon’s proprietary
digital signal processing with these new technologies results in a home
theater experience that is unmatched in the industry.
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