Term of the Week - Dolby Pro-Logic II

Dolby Pro-Logic II is a surround sound decoding technology, developed by jointly by Jim Fosgate and Dolby Labs.

Dolby Pro-Logic II technology can create a "simulated" 5.1 channel surround environment from any two channel source (such as stereo CDs and Vinyl Records) as well as from a 4-Channel Dolby Surround signal.

Although not a discrete format, such as Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS, in which each channel goes though its own encoding/decoding process, Pro Logic II makes an effective use of matrixing to deliver an adequate 5.1 representation of a stereo film or music soundtrack.

For addtitional information on surround sound and its relation to home theater, check out my reference article: History and Basics of Surround Sound.