StormAudio Releases Firmware 4.1, Unlocking DTS:X Pro On All ISP MK2 And Adds Game-Changing Expert Bass Management To All ISP Generations.

With its new Firmware 4.1, StormAudio unlocks DTS:X Pro decoding for the ISP MK2 platform, now rendering 24 discrete channels of immersive audio. This new software also introduces in-house designed Expert Bass Management, a game-changer enabling flex

January 8, 2021

Immersive Audio Technologies is pleased to announce StormAudio’s new Firmware 4.1 is available for download today from the company’s website stormaudio.com. For all ISP MK2 owners, this software will automatically unlock DTS:X Pro decoding up to 24 discrete channels including multiple side surround speakers. This new update also brings to the whole ISP family a completely rewritten and optimized Expert Bass Management that enables the creation of different bass routes in a room. Owners of ISP Digital AES/EBU (MK1 and MK2), will also now be able to choose and assign the type of output for each individual channel.

Enabling DTS:X Pro Decoding

Long awaited by all immersive audio fans, DTS:X Pro is an extension of the DTS:X object oriented immersive audio decoder, offering full backward compatibility for any content mixed in DTS:X and extending the 11.1 channel capability of DTS:X to 32 channels. 

DTS:X Pro is now available on StormAudio ISP MK2, decoding up to 24 discrete channels, with the ability to go up to 32 channels on the same hardware in the future. 

For DTS:X Pro the DTS Neural:X upmixer and remapping engine has been re-designed to take full advantage of the higher channel count, identifying the channels encoded in the bitstream and comparing it to the user selected speaker layout to intelligently upmix to address all available speakers. This upmixed content is then mixed with the rendered objects for immersive playback.

“We’re pleased to further our relationship with StormAudio as they add DTS:X Pro to their High-End Home Theatre products,” said Paul McCambridge, Sales Director EMEA, Home and Mobile at Xperi. “DTS:X Pro builds on the existing DTS:X standard to give the most immersive experience available today across a 24 speaker set-up, enabling home cinema connoisseurs around the world to enjoy their movies like never before.”

Highly Flexible Expert Bass Management

On top of the standard bass management and the automated bass management provided by Dirac Live Bass Control Add-on already included in every ISP, the platform now includes a new Expert Bass Management.

All the bass management algorithms were completely rewritten by StormAudio’s engineers to enable greater flexibility to installers to achieve best possible performance in any installation. This new Expert mode enables the user to create up to 6 different bass routes in a room with selectable bass extraction for each channel. These re-directed low frequencies can then be sent to any bass reproducer in the room, subwoofers or large speakers. Some routes can be configured to reproduce only LFE and others LFE and re-directed low frequencies, offering complete control on these settings to the calibrator.

Per Channel Analog vs Digital Assignment for ISP Digital AES/EBU

StormAudio’s new MK2 platform boasts a new DAC board with proprietary hybrid volume adjustment to guarantee high dynamic range at any level while keeping low residual noise (as low as 4µVrms). When equipped with a Digital AES/EBU option adding 32 AES/EBU outputs, the user will now have the choice for each channel to choose between 2 modes- Digital or Analog. In Digital mode, both outputs (digital and analog) will work simultaneously, with the full dynamic range on the digital and analog outputs, thus not using the hybrid volume adjustment of the DAC board. In Analog mode, the channel will go through the DAC board only and have lower residual noise as it will get attenuated with the volume, thanks to the hybrid volume adjustment function.

Additional Key Features: Multiple rendered side surround channels and optimized eARC

In addition to these ground-breaking new features, this new software update comes with significant improvements. To help provide the best spatial resolution for multiple rows of seats in big theater, it is now possible to define speakers layout with multiple discretely rendered surround speakers, namely Surround 1 and Surround 2, thus enabling the best experience whichever seat chosen in the theater. 

Firmware 4.1 also optimizes the eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) functionality on all MK2 and MK1 equipped with our HDMI 7+2 eARC board co-developed with our partner CYP to cope with newer TV implementations available in the field. With this board, the entire line is compatible with most HDMI 2.1 devices- thanks to this feature, users can connect their equipment to their HDMI 2.1 compatible display and the audio stream will be transferred to the ISP through the HDMI cable and decoded in the ISP.

For more information, including details on how to download and install Firmware 4.1, contact your local distributor, dealer or representative, or visit www.stormaudio.com