Immersive Audio
While DVD and high definition television deliver 5.1 channels of sound to consumers today, in the future these systems will seem as antiquated as the monophonic recordings of Caruso, which were created in the early 1900's. Certainly better than 2 channel stereo, 5.1 channel audio is not completely convincing-it is easily distinguished from the real thing.
Research in the IMSC Immersive Audio Laboratory is focused on algorithms for capturing and rendering sound so that it is indistinguishable from reality. Our goal is to provide an immersive experience through greater imaging and envelopment capabilities than ever before. The unique component to our work is a comprehensive synergy in the understanding of acoustics, psychoacoustics, recording technique, and adaptive audio signal processing. Our hope is that this kind of immersive experience can become practical for various playback environments including movie theaters, home theaters, headphones, and even the desktop computer.