Dolby Surround Sound 5.1 is the same method as encode audio information for DVD movies. It gives much greater realism than stereo music, because it relies on five different channels (plus one Low-Frequency-Effect subchannel) to properly spatialize sounds within a listening environment.

Can you play these files on your computer?
Yes, if

• You have a 5.1 speaker system with dolby decoder built in
• You have a Sound Blaster Audigy card
• You don't mind listening in stereo and you have Creative PlayCenter 2

For now, we're just making a start - everyone is so used to .mp3 files, when they could be getting more out of the experience.

This is a surround version of the Runcibal Quest 2001 Theme. Since the idea on the stereo .mp3 was to create the illusion of a concert hall, the .AC3 takes this further by giving you the correct rear channel information. Sounds better in a medium-sized room than a small one.

For details, click here