Pages

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Why can't movie studios get surround sound right?

When I watch the most recent blu-ray movies that just been released, most of them seem to just lack in sound.  Especially compared to video games.  Video game developers get it right all the time.  What I look for when watching surround sound is that every speaker to be used throughout the entire movie.  I don't care what the director vision is.  Make us feel like we are in the movies.  Instead they just put out movies with sub par audio.

Before I move on, I should let you know that my receiver is a Denon AVR 1909.  I been generally happy with it so far.  All connections are HDMI.  Picture below represents what my speaker set up looks like.


Ok recently I watch Quantum of Solace on blu-ray.  During the movie at the back of my mind, i kept saying that the surround sound could be a lot better  Sometimes I thought my speakers weren't working correctly.  I even bumped up the volume on each individual rear speakers.  Still seem like audio was lacking in the rears.  2 front and center speakers get plenty of sound.  Bass be shaking like usual.  Just the rear speakers that seem to get less attention

Same can't be said for video games.  Ever since I upgraded my home theater last year,  I been enjoying video games a lot more because their use of surround sound.  Every game i played, surround sound has been wonderful.  You move the screen around and the sound follows along seamlessly.  I can hear sound coming from all directions.  It helps how i play the game.  For example, Left 4 Dead, you can tell which direction the zombies are coming from or where the special infection are at.  For video games, surround sound really helps.  I'm glad I upgraded my home theater.

Overall, i wish movie companies spend more dollars on their audio.  Or maybe my ears just plain suck. Haha  Be on the lookout for a future rant on picture quality and why i might just stick to buying animated/CGI movies.

1 comment: