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A Fraunhofer research group for electronic media technology in Ilmenau planned the first public demonstration of a new cinema sound system on 19 February 2003. A specialised recording process captured both the source sound and the acoustic character of the surrounding space.
Unlike conventional 5.1 surround systems, the approach aimed to produce a correct spatial impression throughout the auditorium rather than within a small sweet spot. Dialogue and effects were intended to appear from the appropriate direction, distance and apparent size regardless of seat position.
For testing and presentation, researchers equipped an auditorium at Ilmenau’s Lindenlichtspiele cinema with 192 loudspeakers and extensive computing hardware. Further cinemas in Germany and overseas were expected to receive the system later in 2003. The team also anticipated applications in large venues and future home-audio development. Current work on spatial audio and sound-field control continues at Fraunhofer IDMT.
The demonstration was scheduled for 14:00–approximately 16:00 at Lindenlichtspiele Ilmenau, Lindenstraße 20, 98693 Ilmenau.
