Crestron
Surround Sound
Primer
Primer – DOC. 6122
Surround Sound
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39
Signal to Noise
(S/N ratio) the S/N ratio is the difference, in
dB, between the noise floor of a playback
component or sound recording and the
loudest level it can achieve with inaudible
distortion. The measurement is sometimes A-
weighted because the ear is more sensitive to
particular frequencies.
Soundscape
The illusion of three-dimensional space
created by a surround system.
SPDIF
SPDIF is a acronym for Sony Philips Digital
Interface and is sometimes abbreviated
S/PDIF or S-PDIF. SPDIF is a digitial audio
interface standard developed jointly by Sony
and Philips that enables direct digital
interconnections between separate digital
audio components. Physically the connection
between SPDIF compatible units can be
made using optical fiber and optical
"TosLink" modules, or electrically using
coaxial cable and RCA type connectors.
Spectral Envelope
As used in the Dolby Digital encoder, a bit
allocation routine to determine the number of
bits needed.
Standing Wave
A low frequency distortion created when a
certain frequency is reproduced whose size
has some special relationship to the room in
which it is produced.
Subband
A relatively narrow band of audio
frequencies used by a perceptual codec to
approximate the critical bands of the human
ear.
Sweet-Spot
The sweet-spot is the prime listening position
where an audio system is optimized, and is
where optimal sound quality is encountered.
Depending on the system, the sweet-spot may
be large enough to accommodate multiple
listeners.
T
Toslink
A type of fiber-optic cable connection that
uses light beams to transmit digital
information from digital audio components.
Most digital-to-analog converters and digital
surround sound processors (Dolby Digital
and DTS processors) can connect to source
components using Toslink cables and
connectors. Using light beams to transmit
digital information avoids potential
interference from electrical wiring and other
electrical devices that can interfere with
traditional metal cables carrying electrical
signals.
Total Harmonic Distortion
Total Harmonic Distortion (expressed as a
percentage) is a kind of electronic echo.
Harmonics are frequency multiples that
appear when an original signal is reproduced
by an audio system. For example, if a signal
at 2 kHz is produced by an audio system,
harmonics of this signal are located at 4 kHz,
8 kHz, 16 kHz and so on, with each
progressive echo smaller in amplitude than
the one before.
THX
THX is a tradename of Lucasfilm and used to
specify standards of playback equipment
such as receivers and loudspeakers.
W
White Noise
Similar to pink noise, except that white noise
contains equal energy at each frequency
point.
5.1
Five point one is a term used to describe
digital surround sound audio formats such as
DTS and Dolby Digital. The five stands for
five discrete channels of sound information.
These channels are full range and fully digital
- left front, front center, right front, right rear
or surround, left rear or surround. The point
one is a sixth channel designated for a
subwoofer. Other systems may have six
speakers plus a subwoofer (6.1) or seven
speakers plus a subwoofer (7.1).
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