dsianand

I just read this and apparently XM is going to offer two 5.1 surround sound channels and will be available on March 06. I think this is awesome as we get to listen more to 5.1 surround sound songs. Can't wait for this to happen and I will definitely renew my subscription to XM. Here's the link:

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/ces/x...und-146582.php

RLdriver

Questionable whether it would work in 5.1 with the RL's sound system, however. Wouldn't you need new hardware since this presumably will be a digital format?

AcuraRLBlue

It is a multi-channel system with DTS 5.1.

RLdriver

I know, but that doesn't automatically mean that it will decode the 5.1 XM signal, which may be in Dolby Digital or Pro Logic II or similar. The XM signal will almost certainly not be in DTS since the compression is much less on DTS than DD, thereby requiring more bandwidth. Even if it were, the RL's stereo may not send an XM signal through the digital processor. That processing may be reserved for disc sources, e.g. CD, MP3, DTS, DVD-A. All other sources may be routed through analog (2 channel) only.

Dr. E in TN

I am amazed at how people know so much about things like this. Are you a sound engineer?

RLdriver

Did a web search, and it looks like XM will be using a licensed format from Neural Audio, which requires a proprietary decoder. In short, it looks virtually certain that the RL's stereo will not decode the XM signal to 5.1. We'll get plain stereo.

Read about it here: http://www.neuralaudio.net/010506_Pioneer.html

RLdriver

No, just a lawyer with a decent home audio system.

AcuraRLBlue

http://www.neuralsurround.com/

This site has audio information that saids that it is compatible with stereo, CD, deload services, Ipod. I am not sure what that means. It is possible that the XM receiver has to be upgrade to XM HD, but having it the XM receiver changed out twice in my 05 RL leads me to believe that it would be easy to upgrade.