Appendix B - Thx Information - Bryston SP 1 Series Instructions Manual

APPENDIX B - THX INFORMATION

Below is a summary of issues and information related to the
proprietary and patented THX processing incorporated used
in the SP1.The available space cannot include all the available
information on this topic.Therefore, if you want more
information or wish to research the topic in more detail
please use the THX website at WWW.THX.COM.The
information below was condensed from documentation
supplied by THX.
When you choose the THX option for all surround decoding
modes within the SP1, by pressing the THX button on the
front panel or the remote an additional processing method is
activated.
The additional signal processing used in this mode is the
result of extensive research, testing and refinement by the
technical and engineering staff at LucasFilm, Ltd.
All movie soundtracks regardless of their original encoding
format (Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic, DTS, Stereo or Mono).
The THX mode would not normally be activated for music or
movies that were made specifically for television or other
broadcast shows such as sports programming.The THX
processing, designed to compensate for large room mixing
environments is not required for these programs because they
are normally mixed/post-produced in small room
environments, as opposed to the large room environments
normally used for theatrical motion picture mixing/post-
production.
The SP1's THX mode adds additional DSP to the either the
Dolby or DTS processing already in place to help create a
more precise match between the sound produced within a
commercial motion picture theater and the sound produced
in your residential 'theater'.
THX's research shows that this is necessary because, all of the
multi-channel film sound formats were originally designed and
spectrally balanced for use within large commercial movie
theaters.
Moreover, the specially equipped and designed theater used
by the sound mixing professionals to produce the final
theatrical audio track on any film (called a 'dubbing stage') is
also considerably larger than your 'home theater' since it was
created to replicate the environment of a typical commercial
cinema space, not your home theater space.
It is in those "dubbing stages" that the dialogue, sound effects
and music are all individually recorded and mixed to a six
(5.1) or four channel(Pro- Logic) soundtrack for release in
commercial movie theaters.This is the same soundtrack that is
later released on videotape and DVD for playback in a Home
Theatre system.
During their research, the THX engineers identified the
fundamental tonal and spatial errors created when Theatre
environment film sound tracks are reproduced in residential
spaces.
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