Is 7.1 (over 5.1) mostly just hype?
Reply #5 – 2014-05-23 02:24:22
Can anyone even cite a movie where the recording engineer has gone on record to declare that it was tailored, the sound, such that the extra 6th and 7th speakers are actually used in a truly discrete manner for added effect that isn't simply, um, "up-scaling" of a 5.1 soundtrack? Newer films are more likely to be recorded/mastered in discrete 7.1. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) is one such film. Several promotional videos of featurettes talk about the mixing and audio engeering to use 7.1 for the final mix. You can check out videos from the "SoundWorks Collection". They feature a number of videos that will talk explicitly about 7.1 audio.http://soundworkscollection.com/videos/dol...1-cinema-beyond Older films, I would lack faith in the "newly remastered" audio being authentic 7.1 surround sound mixing. For old films, I would say it's just hype for people who bought 7.1 surround sound systems and complain there isn't enough diversity in films with 7.1 audio. It's more practical for theater experience. It can be practical for home consumers with the technology, but I've never met anyone, personally , who has a 7.1 surround system. For most people I know, they're happy with either 5.1 or simple stereo. I like it, as a technology. And I do find it greatly enhances theater-viewing experiences. Before seeing a movie in theaters, I do look up any information I can to find out if it's meant to be 7.1 or if it's an after-thought/post-production tactic (in the same manner as converting 2D to 3D instead of filming in 3D). Just for practical home purposes, I have no need for it in the foreseeable (poor) future (of mine). Some director's are just very traditional, even though the technology is readily available. Christopher Nolan is very practical. He rarely uses CG for effects. All his films available on blu-ray are (at most) 5.1 mixes. He doesn't use 3D, High Frame Rate, or even 6.1/7.1. Michael Bay, on the other hand, the technical enthusiast he is, is likely to use 7.1 for future projects. For Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), he executed everything so distinctly well. His utilization of 3D was done with actual 3D footage and the 2D-converted-3D shots turned out nicely and not so jarring as much earlier films that tried 2D-to-3D (Clash of the Titans), and the 7.1 mixing for the film was extremely phenomenal to hear in theaters in full force. The film is very resolute in technical appreciation. He didn't try to exploit every facet of new-age technology like some other film makers would do. Peter Jackson is advancing. He's switching to 7.1 audio and exceeding very well (as apposed to his 6.1 fiasco with the LOTR trilogy). He's adapting 3D very well, as with other high-profile directors. And the use of 48fps really enhances the 3D viewing experience to uncanny levels that watching any of the Hobbit films in 24fps/3D just pales in comparison. It's only hype, or a gimmick, when it's manufactured for purely selfish or marketing reasons (or just to be "hip" with times). Taking an old film available in mono or even 4.1 and then matrixing it to 7.1 for a "remastered" release is pure hype and gimmick. I believe Tron: Legacy (2010) was authentically 7.1. I think I read somewhere that Disney will be using 7.1 for 3D feature films.