surround sound mp3s
scientists have come up with a way or producing mp3 files with surround sound. previously it was thought reproducing surround sound required too much data for small mp3 files.but the beeb reports that the fraunhofer institute has found a way that works with mp3. fraunhofer said that the system it developed would work with existing mp3 software and music players.
surround sound is usually produced by recording audio on different channels so it appears to come from three or more directions. but fraunhofer reproduces surround sound by adding to mp3 encoding extra information that describes the spatial characteristics of the main audio track. using this extra information helps mp3 players recreate the surround sound effect.
music encoded with the new system will work with older hardware and software mp3 players but the extras will only create surround sound when piped through a player that can do something with the extra information.
note: i recently learned that most people recording, saving and sharing mp3 music files do so mostly at an audio bitrate between 128-192 kbit/s (which is fine when file size and download time is an important consideration) not realising that the rate in digital cd recordings is 320 kbit/s.
via ananova.
