SSI Surround Sound Decoder 525D

There’s always one step further to take in the quest for the ultimate machine. If you have VR glasses, a cockpit chair and a computer system three times more expensive than your car, then SSI’s Surround Sound Decoder is for you. Why settle for a high-quality soundcard pumping out two-speaker stereo sound? SSI’s Surround Sound Decoder is the first of its kind to bring Dolby Pro Logic surround-sound technology to the PC.
The decoder itself occupies a bay in your machine, while an ISA plug-in card mediates between the decoder and your soundcard and links to an external amplifier. The concept is simple: your soundcard’s output is piped into the decoder which then decodes Dolby’s patented Pro Logic Surround Sound codes if the signals exist, or creates simulated surround sound which is then piped out to your multichannel amplifier. Three modes of surround-sound production are available: Pro Logic, Dolby 3 Stereo and Music.
Pro logic is the real thing, requiring Pro Logic signals to be present in the sound source to direct the decoder to split up various channels to be piped to your speakers. For true surround sound you need a minimum of four speakers (preferably five), for which signals are split up into front left, front right, centre and, contrary to popular belief, mono rear (otherwise known as surround). For extra boost, a sub woofer can be used as a sixth speaker.
Dolby 3 Stereo creates simulated surround sound with just two speakers, although the result is only just better than normal stereo and doesn’t use the true potential of the decoder. Music mode
creates simulated surround sound with between four and six speakers. The simulated surround sound created in this mode is very impressive and almost identical to the Pro Logic mode. This in itself is remarkable, since the decoder must decide which channels to pipe specific samples through. Moreover, ver}’ few games and a small number of CD-movies have Pro Logic signals built in, so this is the mode you will probably use the most.
In effect, the decoder completely replaces a professional surround-sound amplifier. All the surround-sound modes found on a high-end amplifier such as Hall, Cathedral, Orchestra and Stadium can be set on the decoder with the supplied Windows software. You can set your own delay times for echoing effects, toggle the location of the centre channel, and adjust the volume level for any specific channel.
To really take advantage of the decoder you need a multichannel amplifier so that each signal can be directed to a specific speaker or set of speakers. If this is out of your price range, you can purchase four standard pre-amplified computer speakers and set these up as front left, front right and surround.
The decoder also incorporates BBE (Barkus Berry Electronics) technolog)’ to give depth, detail and definition to your sound by synchronising high and low frequencies. LEDs on the front of the device indicate which surround mode is being used and multiple input jacks allow you to pipe in other sources such as a TV or stereo and use your PC to add surroundsound effects.