5.1 on HD TV

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Rikkitic

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Topic # 119719 11-Jun-2013 11:46

Some time ago I noticed that many films broadcast on HD Freeview are not in surround sound, though they ought to be. An example is Quantum of Solace. Surely this was made with at least a 5.1 soundtrack, yet on HD UHF only two or three front channels are available, though the envelope is (as always) 5.1. In contrast to this, all the Harry Potter films are actually broadcast in full 5.1 surround, but these seem to be an exception. In my experience, most films made in surround are broadcast in either 2-channel stereo or at best 3 channels and this seems to be the case with all three HD broadcasters (TV1, TV2, TV3). Can someone tell me why this is so?

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hdinsider

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Reply # 834085 11-Jun-2013 12:04

Not all movies are supplied to the broadcasters with 5.1 sound. Not much of an answer, but that's how it is! Also if the movie has been supplied as SD to the broadcaster it is very unlikely to have 5.1

The EPG lists which films are 5.1 and which are stereo. They also put up a 5.1 logo at the start if it's in surround.

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B1GGLZ

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Reply # 834087 11-Jun-2013 12:08

Probably depends on what channel they are on and the Broadcaster's policy.
The films I've recorded off TV2 and 4 never seem to be 5.1, just stereo.
All the ones off TV1 and TV3 seem to be 5.1
They may not have digital rights to broadcast some in 5.1 sound.

hdinsider

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Reply # 834243 11-Jun-2013 14:34

B1GGLZ: Probably depends on what channel they are on and the Broadcaster's policy.
The films I've recorded off TV2 and 4 never seem to be 5.1, just stereo.
All the ones off TV1 and TV3 seem to be 5.1
They may not have digital rights to broadcast some in 5.1 sound.

Not surprised that you haven't managed to record 5.1 off of Four. Four hasn't got Dolby transmitting and is SD.

TV1 and TV2 upmix stereo content to make a fake 5.1 quite a lot. Anyone else notice that?

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PimpMyMagic

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Reply # 836498 13-Jun-2013 18:36

hdinsider:TV1 and TV2 upmix stereo content to make a fake 5.1 quite a lot. Anyone else notice that?

I sure have. I've mixed programmes for supply to TVNZ in stereo and then heard them in a horrible rendition of surround on air.
It can also screw up dialogue/music balance when subsequently downmixed back to stereo on the home receiver, though this could equally be attributed to the viewer's downmix system.

hdinsider

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Reply # 836513 13-Jun-2013 18:56

PimpMyMagic:
hdinsider:TV1 and TV2 upmix stereo content to make a fake 5.1 quite a lot. Anyone else notice that?

I sure have. I've mixed programmes for supply to TVNZ in stereo and then heard them in a horrible rendition of surround on air.
It can also screw up dialogue/music balance when subsequently downmixed back to stereo on the home receiver, though this could equally be attributed to the viewer's downmix system.

I'm not sure that stereo should be upmixed and then downmixed myself... doesn't end up the same does it?

Strange that they've been doing it for a while now and no one has batted an eyelid.

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kiwijunglist

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Reply # 836596 13-Jun-2013 22:45

hdinsider: I'm not sure that stereo should be upmixed and then downmixed myself... doesn't end up the same does it?

It depends on the upmix algorithm and downmix algorithm. If the downmix algorithm discards the surround channels rather than mixing them in then it will probably sound the same. Regardless it seems stupid to upmix stereo at the source.

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PimpMyMagic

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Reply # 836606 13-Jun-2013 23:35

TVNZ + Marketing = Stupid

hdinsider

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Reply # 836619 14-Jun-2013 00:55

I can see why tvnz do it. It makes their transition from stereo to 5.1 for the end user with surround monitoring a much smoother experience. It also makes it easier in the studio, because if a show has a problem going to air in 5.1 and stereo is selected instead, the viewer will be less affected if it's upmixed. It also means the surround viewer always has a centre channel to focus the sound towards the tv.

Still prefer the honesty of transmitting stereo content in stereo and 5.1 content in 5.1, as it was made myself.

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ilovemusic

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Reply # 838352 17-Jun-2013 20:50

hdinsider:

Still prefer the honesty of transmitting stereo content in stereo and 5.1 content in 5.1, as it was made myself.

agreed.

broadcast stereo in two channel format and leave it to the listener to listen in stereo or faux surround.