5.1 Audio on Thai TV / Cable Services?

[DK99]

Hi, new member but long time visitor to the Kingdom.

 

I'm helping out my Thai in-laws (wonderful people BTW) by setting up a nice surround sound system in their BKK home. I'm an audio professional back home so most of this is simple stuff for me. But I wonder how much programming on Thai TV and the Thai cable channels is 5.1? They''ll mostly be watching local channels. I've read that as of a few years ago some of the Thai networks started running 5.1 sound, but not sure what's actually available in the real world here. Their provider is True Visions.

 

Are any of the Thai variety shows broadcast with 5.1 sound? How about newer Thai films? Showings of American/European films? What about the American/European cable networks that are available here, will they be 5.1 like they are at home?

 

I know they'll be able to use their new surround system when watching DVD's, but most of the time they just watch cable TV, and I wonder how much of that programming (if any actually carries surround sound). The family tells me that there is only 1 plan available to them, so I think it it what it is and there may be no upgrade path for now, though more 5.1 will surely be phased in, in the future.

 

Any clues will be helpful and thanks in advance.

[RichCor]

I think you'll find this a complex mixed bag.

 

While most Cable TV and Satellite media distribution is now digital and can carry 5.1/2.1 downward compatible digital audio streams, that will only be the case for original distribution media (where the final mix for different languages was done by the studio).

 

If the media has been redubbed in the local language after the fact then it's probably been downmixed to stereo or even mono to keep things fast and simple.

 

Similar goes for 'Internet' -based content where the 'distributor' downres both the video and audio to serve more customers using lower bandwidth.

 

Though there are a lot of people who have installed 7.1/6.1/5.1 surround sound systems here. Hopefully they'll chime in with their experiences.

[shady86]

I'm afraid I don't see any channels carry higher than stereo sound. Also you need to get a seperate receiver and speakers to output real 5.1 channels.

[DK99]

Thanks for the replies. I guess they'll be "5.1 ready" if/when local programming and distribution starts broadcasting surround, and in the meantime they'll be able to enjoy the system when listening to DVD's. And in this case the sub woofer has both single channel "SW" and stereo inputs, so they can shake the house a bit with normal stereo program.

 

BTW I listened to several systems here and settled on the Wharfdale Crystal 4 5.1 components. HD Audio in Season Square offerered a pretty decent discount which made the whole package quite reasonable. It sounds pretty good though bass on the front tower speakers is a tad boomy.

 

Thanks again.