(insert here Kenwood DEM-999D back pic w/ connectors) YAMAHA APD-1 YAMAHA APD-2 KENWOOD DEM-999D While switching on the DEMODULATE LED when an AC3RF signal is detected. Other manufacturers (JBL, Nakamichi, B&K, etc.) were simply OEM version of Pioneer or Yamaha designs.īasic demodulators such as the Yamaha will simply take the AC3RF IN and demodulate it to AC3 OUT
Dolby digital ac3 series#
Kenwood (Japan, USA, Europe) → DEM-999 series.They were sold in Japan (100V), USA (110V) and Europe (230V) during a few years and can still be found on eBay or elsewhere from time to time notably from these makers: LDDb Forum updated list of AC3RF audio gears (with links to available manuals).TKmedia's original AVSForum List of AC3RF audio gears.we need to insert the AC3RF Demodulator along the way:įor an extensive list of equipments able to process AC3RF signal, please consult: or 2., the information path will look like this: then you must purchase an additional piece of equipment called an "AC3RF Demodulator" You own a rather old A/V system also with this built-in AC3RF IN connection (typically 1995-2005).You own a high-end A/V system and it provides a built-in AC3RF IN connection (very rare these days).The analogy (pun intended) still works for LDs because to enjoy their AC3 soundtrack you will need a demodulator able to transform this analog signal into a digital bitstream that your A/V amp can understand. They are digital information stored with modulation - just like Internet (digital) used to be accessed over (analog) phone lines in the 90's via MOdulation/DEModulation (MODEM) devices. They are physically stored on the right analog track of NTSC LDs. Dolby Digital soundtracks on LD are actually stored in an analog format This includes multiple AC3 releases of the same title in different countries or Pan&Scan vs Letterbox version, single vs Boxset, etc. Compromises were made on dynamicsĪnd frequency ranges to make sure your Death Star final explosion in Star Wars does not make "plop" on your speakers.Īll in all, there are potentially better AC3 soundtracks on LD.
Dolby digital ac3 tv#
In the meantime, DVD had only one AC3 soundtrack that was supposed to sound as goodĪs possible on any system, from a simple stereo TV set to a full-blown THX-certified system. (standard Dolby Surround) were available. If you had only a standard stereo or surround system, then the Digital Tracks How is that possible? The audio mastering was made for a purely 5.1 system
Normally they should but the fact is that they don't sound weaker, they actually often tend to sound better, especially whenĬompared with early DVDs releases. you might rightfully ask Will LD soundtracks sound weaker, less defined than their DVD counterpart? On very late releases featuring Dolby 6.1 encoding the logo appeared (in Japanese サラウンドEX)ĭolby Digital soundtracks on LD are more compressed than most DVDs (384Kbps instead of 448kbps).Dolby Surround - AC3 Digital (quite randomly used).Dolby Stereo Digital (probably predates LD releases).To identify laserdiscs with an AC3 soundtrack look for the logo at the back (sometimes a sticker on frontįor US releases or Obi information for Japanese releases).Should be able to do that properly, PAL players have to be recent and be able to play both PAL and NTSC) LD Players able to ouput AC3RF information have a dedicated coax output at their back (most of the post 1995 models.or more simply what could be different from theĭolby Digital soundtracks found on DVDs or BDs? You might be wondering what is needed to process it correctly. So you got yourself a recent LD player with an AC3RF output or you are planning to get one?
Dolby digital ac3 update#
I hope this little AC3RF FAQ will clear most of the questions, it's an update to an eBay guide I wrote about 10 years ago. Have a hard time thinking in terms of pre-digital devices. AC3RF is a recurring topic for questions on the forum, often from new LD users who have a DVD/BD background and