MPEG-2 multichannel

Character for 5.1 sound

MPEG-2 Multichannel also known as MPEG-2 BC ( Backward Compatible ) or MPEG-2 5.1 is an audio data compression based on MPEG-1 Audio Layer 2 and should be introduced as a multi-channel sound replacement for Dolby Digital on European DVDs. Dolby Digital was not initially intended for European DVDs, but the emerging multi-channel sound was still to be integrated and the implementation of MPEG-2 5.1 was announced at the international radio exhibition in Berlin in 1997.

technology

The MPEG multichannel project failed because of the teething troubles associated with the complicated technology. The stereo- compatible method of playing a stereo matrix onto the stereo channels and then canceling it again with additional information for multi-channel sound did not work reliably.

Philips tried to turn things around with the development of a non-ISO-compliant 7.1 variant, but this version shared the fate of version 5.1. The special thing about version 7.1 was that there weren't two center-surround channels as with other sound formats, but two center fronts.

The use of MPEG-2 multichannel is not only possible on the PAL DVD but also on the Super VideoCD (PAL and NTSC).

Result

Only a few DVDs with MPEG sound in 5.1 were produced and shortly afterwards Dolby Digital was officially approved. As a positive side effect, euro players now master more standards than in other regions. In collaboration with Dolby, MPEG-2 audio later became MPEG-4 Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), which is not backward-compatible with MPEG-2 audio .

See also

• MPEG-1 Audio Layer 2 , Base - MP2
• MPEG audio , MPEG format family
• Advanced Audio Coding (MPEG-2 NBC), further development

literature

• Thomas Görne: Sound engineering. Fachbuchverlag Leipzig in Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich et al. 2006, ISBN 3-446-40198-9 .
• Hubert Henle: The recording studio manual. Practical introduction to professional recording technology. 5th, completely revised edition. Carstensen, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-910098-19-3 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Various News. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on October 29, 2015 ; accessed on January 7, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.