MP3 Format Now Supports 5.1 Multichannel Sound

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1747426,00.asp?kc=PCMS102049TX1K0100488' target='_blank'>http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1747426,00.asp?kc=PCMS102049TX1K0100488</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The file format that inspired millions of downloads hopes to inspire music fans to do something else: buy more speakers. Now officially released by the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS and Thomson, coinventors of the MP3 format, the new MP3 Surround supports 5.1 multichannel sound."</i><br /><br />Good news! MP3 has now achieved multichannel audio through a new surround sound codec. I have to admit, this format has come a long way since the early days, and is evolving into a rich media format. Though I still believe we don't need it anymore...but that's for another discussion. :wink:

[jeffd]

of course.. we allready have plenty of multi channel formats out there allready. ^^ Mp3 needs to revise its quality too, get like an mp3 v2.. mp3.5 or something.. I dunno.

[sojourner753]

Though I still believe we don't need it anymore...but that's for another discussion. :wink:

Currious, I'm by no means an audiophile or expert on audio formats, but I am wondering why you believe MP3 is no longer needed. As far as I know, its still the only universally supported, completely open audio format.

MP3 gives you the only format that you can literally take anyware.

"Rip once. Play anywhere." to steal a slogan. :)

Its good that MP3 is still alive and evolving. Even if it is slowly.