Why is ESPN HD games not in 5.1 sound?

[Gojira54]

I got ESPN HD and notice a credit at the end of games the confuses me. It says 5.1 sound provided by sorry don't remember the name of the company. But it isnot in 5.1 sound. Why aren't we on Directv getting the 5.1 feed? Anyone know why? I notice that HBOHD is also not showing all there shows in 5.1 sound, the third season of Sopranos was rerun in DD 2.0 and not 5.1 like it was presented on its first run. Any of you out their that have Dishnetwork let me know if this happens on there too. If not I guess im making the jump to Dish.

Thanks for the great board here excellent posts great info.


Gojira54

[paulh]

I think ESPN uses Circle Sound. It is is somewhat similiar to Dolby Pro-logic, but is supposed to be more discretly matrixed, so has better potential than Prologic I or II. It, however would require a Circle Sound capable receiver to get best results (there are a few). If you do not have a Circle Sound receiver, then you'll get best results in Pro-Logic mode, not DD5.1 mode.

There has been much anti-Circle Sound discussion at avsforums, but the main reason ESPN chose it was limitations in their backbone / digital processing. I think ESPN can only brodcast the 2 audio channels, so using Circle Sound was cheaper for them, but causes problems with the end users.

[Gojira54]

I think ESPN uses Circle Sound. It is is somewhat similiar to Dolby Pro-logic, but is supposed to be more discretly matrixed, so has better potential than Prologic I or II. It, however would require a Circle Sound capable receiver to get best results (there are a few). If you do not have a Circle Sound receiver, then you'll get best results in Pro-Logic mode, not DD5.1 mode.

There has been much anti-Circle Sound discussion at avsforums, but the main reason ESPN chose it was limitations in their backbone / digital processing. I think ESPN can only brodcast the 2 audio channels, so using Circle Sound was cheaper for them, but causes problems with the end users.


Thanks for the reply. After hearing the Hockey games on HDnet in DD 5.1 you get a little spoiled. My only problem is why would ESPN chose this format with such little support. Circle sound is a new one for me never heard of it until now. Must be slipping in my tech knowledge. Thanks again for the reply. I do use Pro-logic when watching the games just not what I expected when HD allows a much more improved sound format. Is Circle Sound the next soundformat for HD? I didn't even know is was included the specs for HD.

[bluebino]

I hadn't noticed that, but have you noticed that the ESPN HD relative to say the NFL HD games on Sunday, or almost any other HD network on DTV appears compressed or the proportions are scrunched down?

[paulh]

You'd have to read more about Circle Sound at www.avsforums.com
From what I recall, ESPN chose it because they did not have the capability to brodcast DD5.1 at the time, and CC was sold to them as good or better surround sound resolution than DD. It also happens to be easier / cheaper for them to brodcast. (but currently not for the users to receive)

I do not think that CC is mentioned in the HD specs. But, Since it can "ride" with conventional audio, CC fits within the HD specs.

From what I heard, you might want to make sure you are using the old analogue L-R audio connection, and not the digital coax or fiber connection for best pro-logic performance from CC sources.

As far as ESPN-HD looking squished, ESPN-HD is only true HD during select live (repeats will be streched SD) HD games (and Playmakers), 90% of the time, ESPN-HD is a stretched (4:3 to 16:9), upconvert of what is showing on plain-ol' ESPN. Once ESPN finishes it's digital studio upgrade next year , they will be able to brodcast more true HD material including Sportscenter.

(Their current studio is not capable of producing HD, only their live event trucks, The independant studio that produces Playmakers does their own HD)

FYI, I've just read enough from people who know about ESPN HD, that I think I might know what I'm talking about, but might not be completly accurate.