Philips PSC60417 Release Note page 7

enhancement. Furthermore, it permits greater levels of boost
without objectionable side effects. Obviously, QSizzle and
QRumble substantially reduce the need for user readjustment.
QSizzle and QRumble are particularly effective in the
treatment of digital audio content that has been encoded using
data compression algorithms such as MP3. Since compression
is often applied to a degree that results in audible degradation,
content can sound flat and lifeless due to the loss of frequency
content and dynamic range.
Static filters cannot help – and can even worsen – the dynamic
range problem, and tend to sound artificial (i.e. "boomy" or
"shrill") at higher settings. In contrast, the active dynamic
spectral emphasis provided by QSizzle and QRumble
effectively compensates for the negative side effects of digital
compression in a natural, content-dependent manner. QSizzle
brings liveliness and sparkle to midrange and upper
frequencies, while QRumble restores warmth and punch to
the low end of the spectrum.
Usage Example.
To illustrate the Holistic Sound Management capability of Philips
Sound Agent 2 and its sound cards, consider this complex (but
not unrealistic) example:
Joe is playing Half Life, a game that supports 3D
positional audio via Microsoft's DirectSound3D
API. Game sounds are being accurately placed
around him using DS3D and EAX support built
into Sound Agent 2, and are being rendered
(sound is being created) through Joe's 5.1 speaker
system with his Sonic Edge 5.1 sound card.
At the same time, Joe is playing his favorite MP3
play list, with Media Player® in the background.
Joe likes to listen to his own MP3 collection while
playing games.
The MP3 audio stream is automatically being
processed from 2-channel stereo into 5.1-channel
surround simultaneously -- using Sound Agent 2's
QMSS 5.1 feature -- giving Joe an optimized
combination of game audio mixed with music for
his own "custom" experience.
Philips Electronics White Paper
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