HDTV Sound Quality
Audio provided in televisions have come a long way since television started. From the one channel monophonic televisions to the outstanding 5.1 Dolby Digital capable HDTVs.
Monophonic sound systems provided only one channel of sound and the vast majority of them also featured only one speaker to begin with. All audio was condensed into this single channel loosing all perspective of direction. As technology advanced Stereo was incorporated to television sets. This format featured two different audio channels one left and one right. Stereo improved the sound experience by permitting users to watch television with a more real sound than monophonic sound or mono as it is known today. Stereo could simulate movement by fading sounds from one channel to another, simulate surround sound and live sound by opening the stereo image.
HDTV sound is most of the time 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound compatibility. A system that offers five channels and a subwoofer.
These are:
Center Channel : voices and audio that is supposed to come directly from the television set.
Left and Right front Channels: similar to the characteristics of stereo, audio fades etc. from the front
Left and Right rear Channels: similar to the characteristics of stereo, audio fades etc. but coming from the back of the listener
Subwoofer: Offers bass frequencies, doesn’t need to be placed in any particular spot since these frequencies are not very directional.
The five main channels offer directional sounds building a credible soundscape that immerses the user in the world he or she watches in the television set while the sub woofer ads low frequency power to make the room shake. Even a cheap 150 watt 5.1 system can provide a wonderful experience in a normal or small sized room.
Although HDTVs come equipped with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound capabilities you do need a 5.1 Dolby Digital capable sound system in order to fully experience it. Don’t worry you can find many HDTV systems at a fairly cheap price mostly everywhere. But, you may end up spending a few hundreds if you want more power and quality on your Plasma or LCD set.
