Neural Audio Technology delivers 5.1 surround sound for CBS Sports

CBS Sports is delivering live 5.1 digital surround audio during sports programming using technology from Neural Audio, a Seattle-based company that offers digital audio technology to broadcasters in conjunction with Harris.

The company’s neural algorithm-based 5.1 technology was used by CBS Sports to broadcast 5.1 surround sound content during 12 2003 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship games, including the Final Four and Championship game in New Orleans.

Neural Audio used its 5.1 Sports Event Capture Array (SECA) behind each basket on the court. The SECA system, said Neural, can deliver a 5.1 experience to viewers merging court action, announcer, and crowd audio into a single perceptual window.

CBS currently broadcasts about 25 hours per week of HD programming. In coming months, the network said it expects to transmit digital programming across more than 100 owned and affiliated stations, reaching more than 83 percent of the country. CBS is planning to roll out 5.1 surround sound to all markets currently offering HDTV during the remainder of the year.