CBS Radio classic rock station WZLX(FM) in Boston launched its new 5.1 surround sound service this week on the station’s main HD channel. The service is based on MPEG surround technology provided by Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen IIS and Telos Systems.
Denny Sanders, managing director of Telos Systems said, “J.D. Power and Associates research has confirmed that surround sound is at the top of the list of the entertainment features that new car buyers want in their next vehicle. Many cars already have surround disc players available, surround sound is an integral part of many HDTV receivers. Radio audio should not take a back seat to TV audio, should it?”
To broadcast multichannel sound on its HD Radio IBOC digital channels, WZLX uses the new MPEG Surround international standard, which allows for a smooth transition from stereo to surround. It can be used in any digital broadcast system and is backward compatible.
The Axia Audio division of Telos provided the integrated digital multichannel studio infrastructure for WZLX.
According to Sanders, Boston area receiver manufacturers Bose, Boston Acoustics and Tivoli Audio are monitoring and evaluating the WZLX broadcasts on prototype receivers provided by the Fraunhofer-Institut.
