iPod and Home Stereo

[mike31154]

So do mp3 files play properly on a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound? Are they encoded with sufficient data to separate the signal into the 5 or 7 channels plus sub woofer or is it the software in the surround sound systems that work the magic? I know certain DVDs have specially encoded soundtracks to play properly on 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems and older ones have less sophisticated soundtracks. The better home theater systems will still mix/multiplex the signal and send sound to each speaker but the quality will suffer on 2 channel stereo encoded soundtracks. How do mp3 files compare to one of these DVD soundtracks? If I were to seriously consider limiting my system to an ipod with mp3 files, I would want to be certain they're going to sound proper on a multi channel system, not just two speakers and a sub.

[mark]

Originally Posted by mike31154

So do mp3 files play properly on a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound? Are they encoded with sufficient data to separate the signal into the 5 or 7 channels plus sub woofer or is it the software in the surround sound systems that work the magic? I know certain DVDs have specially encoded soundtracks to play properly on 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems and older ones have less sophisticated soundtracks. The better home theater systems will still mix/multiplex the signal and send sound to each speaker but the quality will suffer on 2 channel stereo encoded soundtracks. How do mp3 files compare to one of these DVD soundtracks? If I were to seriously consider limiting my system to an ipod with mp3 files, I would want to be certain they're going to sound proper on a multi channel system, not just two speakers and a sub.

The 2>5.1 or 2>7.1 is handled by the receiver the same way either fr a MP3 or CD or LP.

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by mike31154

So do mp3 files play properly on a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound? Are they encoded with sufficient data to separate the signal into the 5 or 7 channels plus sub woofer or is it the software in the surround sound systems that work the magic? I know certain DVDs have specially encoded soundtracks to play properly on 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems and older ones have less sophisticated soundtracks. The better home theater systems will still mix/multiplex the signal and send sound to each speaker but the quality will suffer on 2 channel stereo encoded soundtracks. How do mp3 files compare to one of these DVD soundtracks? If I were to seriously consider limiting my system to an ipod with mp3 files, I would want to be certain they're going to sound proper on a multi channel system, not just two speakers and a sub.

No, MP3's are not encoded for 5.1 Surround. Most Surround systems will "Fake" the surround. But at home, I switch my system to 7 channel Stereo, when I play music.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by mark

sort of relates so not really a highjack but what do people use for artwork?

Had been using tunesleeves (freeware) for years but recently reinstalled my OS and when I went to get tunesleeves again found now has limited downloads. Liked it as it worked with iTunes, searched then dropped in the artwork automatically.

Amazon.....or just right click in itunes and get album artwork....only works if the album/artist are correct

[mark]

Originally Posted by Aleks

Amazon.....or just right click in itunes and get album artwork....only works if the album/artist are correct

Not sure Amazon does a search through your whole library then automatically downloads the artwork and adds it to the tag like tunesleeves did.

As for iTunes itself, thought you need a iTunes account (by providing a credit card) then doesn't it only do artwork for MP3 purchased through the iStore (not one you've might of ripped or downloaded). Haven't tried it though as not big on passing around my credit card.

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by mark

Know a few people who detest iTunes and use Media Monkey for everything.
.

Thanks for the tip on Media Monkey. I will give that a test drive.

Obvious next question: Which iPod/mp3 players are people using?

[Pescador]

There are now mp3 files encoded for 5.1.
From Wired http://www.wired.com/entertainment/m.../2006/02/70230
If you have the storage room you can use one of the lossless codecs like mp4 SLS or FLAC for an identical copy of the original audio after decompression.
The newer receivers support lossless formats for audio.

[mike31154]

Cool, not too long and mp3 files will be obsolete as well.....