Sony DVP-NS999ES - Manual (Page 22)

ES Series DVD-Video/CD/SA-CD Players; Version 3.0 Page 22
would make it difficult to place all five speakers at equal distance from the
listening position.
Mastering for Super Audio CD multi-channel sound assumes that
speakers will be placed according to the international ITU-R standard
(left). Unfortunately, most practical listening rooms don't match this
standard exactly. Speaker Time Alignment applies a delay to selected
speakers to "move" them into proper position (right). In this example,
time delay pushes back the apparent position of the SL and SR
speakers to match the L, C and R speakers.
To resolve the problem, Sony developed a 1-bit Digital Signal Processor
LSI, the CXD9722. This LSI enables you to apply a carefully timed delay to each
individual speaker. Sony provides this delay in 150-microsecond increments.
Because most people can't make the mental leap from microseconds to speaker
distance, Sony calibrates the delay as distance, in 5-cm (2-inch) increments.
Each 150 microseconds of delay "moves" a speaker back 5 cm (2 inches). In
this way, Speaker Time Alignment adjusts the "virtual position" of each speaker,
enabling you to synchronize the arrival time of sound for all five speakers. You
can even change the perceived distance of the subwoofer in relation to the other
speakers. With Speaker Time Alignment, you'll experience multi-channel sound
as it was meant to be heard. You'll get the effect of perfect speaker placement,
even if your actual placement is far less than perfect!
110°
30°