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Re: [OT] 4-channel MP3/CD-audio?



> From: Mike Hicks <hick0088@tc.umn.edu>

> I'm kind of guessing that radio stations at least occasionally broadcast
> 4-channel audio, but then I'm not sure.. That would make sense, since a
> lot of people listen in their cars, but I don't know if FM can even do 4
> channels.

Today's FM stereo broadcast standard allows for one or two channels only. 
And since the stereo carrier signal is at 19kHz, FM bandwidth is limited
to about 18kHz. I've never seen any car stereo that does anything besides
two channels, either, although you can buy signal processors that
synthesize more channels to simulate acoustic environments or reduce road
noise, or decode Pro-Logic etc.

AM can do stereo, but I do not know the method that was chosen for US AM
Stereo broadcast. With the limited bandwidth of AM to begin with, I
wouldn't expect a pleasant listening experience for music... but perhaps a
spoken play or stage act might be OK.

As for the CD questions, someone else very qualified has answered those
questions.

Chris Schumann <whizkid@dwave.net>

"Wait a minute, Joe. If what you're saying is true,
then I still don't care." - Dave Nelson, News Radio