Dolby creates new 7.1 surround standard

Posted on 18 Mar 2010 at 11:17

If you've just splashed out on a top of the range home cinema setup that you figured would be lasting you well into the next decade, you may want to look away now: Dolby has announced a brand new surround sound format.

Dubbed Dolby Surround 7.1, the new standard is designed to bring a greater sense of depth to traditional films - but will really come to life when used with 3D films, allegedly providing the ability to position sounds in a full 360 degree circle around the listener.

According to Home Cinema Choice the new standard is set to get its first outing in cinemas with the Disney Pixar film Toy Story 3.

While 7.1-channel audio setups - comprising left, centre, right, left surround, right surround, left rear surround, right rear surround, and the low frequency encoding needed to drive a subwoofer - aren't uncommon in top-end home cinemas, this is the first time that Dolby has officially created a 7.1 mix for a theatrical release. Whether the Dolby Surround 7.1 mix will make it intact to the inevitable Blu-ray release - and whether it will require a new decoder in your AV receiver - isn't yet known.

Speaking about the new standard, Dolby's Page Haun claimed that "the release of Toy Story 3 in a discrete 7.1 mix will raise the bar for movie theatre owners and their patrons."

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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