VM
This is a completely non-technical and unscientific observation, but I've often wondered if the lack of interest in 5.1 is due to the way British living rooms are designed… the TV usually goes in the corner at an angle which makes it awkward to set up a surround sound system properly. And there's the extra wires to deal with.
LL
I know those who have complained about NOW TV not having 5.1 is down to two or three users on their community forum. Those who want 1080p on the other hand is a lot more.
London Lite
Founding member
This is a completely non-technical and unscientific observation, but I've often wondered if the lack of interest in 5.1 is due to the way British living rooms are designed… the TV usually goes in the corner at an angle which makes it awkward to set up a surround sound system properly. And there's the extra wires to deal with.
I know those who have complained about NOW TV not having 5.1 is down to two or three users on their community forum. Those who want 1080p on the other hand is a lot more.
NG
Historically the BBC didn't want to put a 'Dolby' logo up - which ITV did for their Dolby Surround tests. (Ironic that ITV broadcast suround sound shows on NICAM but don't on digital..)
SVT in Sweden put a 5.1 logo up along with an HD logo for their HD 5.1 shows. I'm not sure the EPG is even that accurate (as some programme makers/acquisition units may not be aware that their show is 5.1, and the EPG is based on billings not the actual broadcast signal...)
noggin
Founding member
I wonder if a lot of people just aren't aware of it, and of the benefits. It doesn't seem to get much promotion. Even a '5.1 Surround Sound' DOG at the start of programmes like the old 'Stereo' one from the 90s might at least drive some curiosity in the technology.
Historically the BBC didn't want to put a 'Dolby' logo up - which ITV did for their Dolby Surround tests. (Ironic that ITV broadcast suround sound shows on NICAM but don't on digital..)
SVT in Sweden put a 5.1 logo up along with an HD logo for their HD 5.1 shows. I'm not sure the EPG is even that accurate (as some programme makers/acquisition units may not be aware that their show is 5.1, and the EPG is based on billings not the actual broadcast signal...)
BA
I think it's also possibly the case that people who ended up with surround sound systems presumed that's all you needed to do to get surround sound, especially as a lot of the systems would fill the other speakers with the stereo sound to simulate it; after all, the sound is bound to be better than the built-in 10W speakers.
The popularity of soundbars recently might suggest you're right, however.
This is a completely non-technical and unscientific observation, but I've often wondered if the lack of interest in 5.1 is due to the way British living rooms are designed… the TV usually goes in the corner at an angle which makes it awkward to set up a surround sound system properly. And there's the extra wires to deal with.
I think it's also possibly the case that people who ended up with surround sound systems presumed that's all you needed to do to get surround sound, especially as a lot of the systems would fill the other speakers with the stereo sound to simulate it; after all, the sound is bound to be better than the built-in 10W speakers.
The popularity of soundbars recently might suggest you're right, however.
VM
Yeah, my theory is that, for most people until recently the built-in TV speakers were good enough. Since very thin LCD TVs have replaced CRTs as the main TV set in homes, the built in speakers are now noticeably worse and the difference between them and some good speakers or a soundbar is vast.
Again, a soundbar for the vast majority is probably good enough and they don't really care about having surround sound. Although, don't some soundbars have a sort of pseudo/virtual surround sound?
Again, a soundbar for the vast majority is probably good enough and they don't really care about having surround sound. Although, don't some soundbars have a sort of pseudo/virtual surround sound?
BA
Well, some of that will be achieved with the subwoofer, as the recommended placement is near to where you're watching from. The soundbars that often appear during the Boxing Day sales are often more powerful than many lower end surround sound systems, volume may win out over the surround effect for that price point.
Yeah, my theory is that, for most people until recently the built-in TV speakers were good enough. Since very thin LCD TVs have replaced CRTs as the main TV set in homes, the built in speakers are now noticeably worse and the difference between them and some good speakers or a soundbar is vast.
Again, a soundbar for the vast majority is probably good enough and they don't really care about having surround sound. Although, don't some soundbars have a sort of pseudo/virtual surround sound?
Again, a soundbar for the vast majority is probably good enough and they don't really care about having surround sound. Although, don't some soundbars have a sort of pseudo/virtual surround sound?
Well, some of that will be achieved with the subwoofer, as the recommended placement is near to where you're watching from. The soundbars that often appear during the Boxing Day sales are often more powerful than many lower end surround sound systems, volume may win out over the surround effect for that price point.
DA
They do do some weird/clever things. Some of them come with a microphone which you place in the various seating spots and it works out how the sound goes around the room (my 5.1 amp does this as well to equalise its output, but I've never really tried the pseudo-surround modes). I'm not sure how much of it is actual science and how much is placebo, and it's been a while since I listened to one, but I was definitely left with a "better than stereo" impression. Not as good as 5.1 discrete speakers, of course.
Quote:
Although, don't some soundbars have a sort of pseudo/virtual surround sound?
They do do some weird/clever things. Some of them come with a microphone which you place in the various seating spots and it works out how the sound goes around the room (my 5.1 amp does this as well to equalise its output, but I've never really tried the pseudo-surround modes). I'm not sure how much of it is actual science and how much is placebo, and it's been a while since I listened to one, but I was definitely left with a "better than stereo" impression. Not as good as 5.1 discrete speakers, of course.
AE
That wouldn't be required now that the nations have HD feeds for BBC Two.
Do they?
BBC Two still don't broadcast their nations in HD. The HD feed is one national feed for the UK.
Here's the BBC Two HD Slide I was talking about. And yes, I actually did take that photograph of the BBC Two HD slide during the weeks running up the 2015 UK General Election.
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That wouldn't be required now that the nations have HD feeds for BBC Two.
Do they?
BBC Two still don't broadcast their nations in HD. The HD feed is one national feed for the UK.