Why Does Cinema Sound Quality Mostly Fail to Realize Its Potential?

Metadata

Publisher: SMPTE — White Plains, NY, USA
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: SMPTE Mot. Imag. J
Volume: 127, No. 2, pp. 34–45
Abstract: In late 2014, SMPTE issued a substantial report titled “Frequency and Temporal Analysis of Cinema Sound Systems,” which has become an important milestone for SMPTE’s review of the B-Chain systems. Presented in the report are detailed measurements of the time- and frequency-domain performances of the multichannel sound systems in four commercial cinemas and two dubbing stages as well as a detailed commentary about the process and results. This paper examines some of the interesting results and trends in those measurements, which point to reasons why cinema sound is currently far from ideal.
Publication Date: 2018-03-01
DOI: 10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698
ISSN: Print: 1545-0279 | Electronic: 2160-2492
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698
Author(s): Glenn Leembruggen
Philip Newell
Brian Vessa
Keyword(s): B-Chain, Cinema Sound, Cumulative Energy, Dubbing Stage, Frequency Response, Impulse Response, Screen Losses, Time Windows, X Curve
Copyright: © 2018 SMPTE

Bibliographic Reference(s)

Further Investigations into the Interactions between Cinema Loudspeakers and Screens [Active]
Précis of the TC-25CSS Theater Testing Report [Active]
ISO.2969 — International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 2969, “Cinematography—B-Chain Electro-acoustic Response of Motion-Picture Control Rooms and Indoor Theaters: Specifications and Measurements,” International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, 2015. EXTERNAL
P. Newell, K. Holland, S. Torres-Guijarro, S. Castro, and E. Valdigem, “Cinema Sound: A New Look at Old Concepts,” Proc. Institute of Acoustics, Reproduced Sound Conference, vol. 32, pt 5, Cardiff, UK, Nov. 2010. EXTERNAL
P. Newell et al., “Does 1/3 Octave Equalisation Improve the Sound in a Typical Cinema?,” Proc. Ins. Ac., vol. 33, pt. 6, Brighton, UK, Nov. 2011. EXTERNAL
P. Newell, J. Guijarro-Garcia, and K. Holland, “An Investigation into the Acoustic Effect of Cinema Screens on Loudspeaker Performance,” Reproduced Sound 2013, Proc. Ins. Ac., vol. 35, pt 2, Manchester, UK, Nov. 2013. EXTERNAL
G. Leembruggen, P. Newell, J. Newell, D. Gilfillan, K. Holland, and B. McCarty, “Is the X Curve Damaging Our Enjoyment of Cinema?,” SMPTE 2011 Australia Conference & Exhibition, Sydney, Australia, July 2011. EXTERNAL
P. Newell, “Cinema Calibration and the X-Curve—Facts and Myths,” J. Audio Eng. Soc., 62(11):808–809, Nov. 2014. EXTERNAL
B-Chain Frequency and Temporal Response Analysis of Theaters and Dubbing Stages, Oct. 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.smpte.org/standards/reports EXTERNAL
I. Allen, “The X-Curve,” SMPTE Motion Imag. J., 115 (7&8): 264-275, July/Aug. 2006. EXTERNAL
G. Leembruggen, “Equalizing the Effects of Perforated Cinema Screens,” AES 57th Int. Conf., Hollywood, CA, Mar. 6-8, 2015. EXTERNAL
SMPTE RP 200:2012 [Active]
SMPTE ST 202:2010 [Active, Stabilized]

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Glenn Leembruggen, Philip Newell, and Brian Vessa; Why Does Cinema Sound Quality Mostly Fail to Realize Its Potential?, SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal ( Volume: 127, Issue: 2, March 2018); SMPTE, 2018. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698

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Glenn Leembruggen, Philip Newell, and Brian Vessa; Why Does Cinema Sound Quality Mostly Fail to Realize Its Potential?, SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal ( Volume: 127, Issue: 2, March 2018); SMPTE, 2018. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698

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<span class="citation">Glenn Leembruggen, Philip Newell, and Brian Vessa; <cite>Why Does Cinema Sound Quality Mostly Fail to Realize Its Potential?</cite>, SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal ( Volume: 127, Issue: 2, March 2018); SMPTE, 2018. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698</a></span>

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Glenn Leembruggen, Philip Newell, and Brian Vessa; Why Does Cinema Sound Quality Mostly Fail to Realize Its Potential?, SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal ( Volume: 127, Issue: 2, March 2018); SMPTE, 2018
doi: 10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698
url: https://doi.org/10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698

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Glenn Leembruggen, Philip Newell, and Brian Vessa; <cite id="bib-10-5594-jmi-2018-2790698">Why Does Cinema Sound Quality Mostly Fail to Realize Its Potential?</cite>, SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal ( Volume: 127, Issue: 2, March 2018); SMPTE, 2018
<span class="doi">10.5594/JMI.2018.2790698</span>
</li>