What major flaw plagued early multi-channel theatrical sound experiments?
Answer
Crosstalk, high noise floors, and complex installation requirements.
Prior to the practical implementations pioneered by Dolby, earlier, ambitious theatrical attempts at multi-channel sound, often seen in the 1940s and 1950s, were severely hampered by technological limitations inherent in the available media and processing. These issues included significant crosstalk, where sound bled between intended channels, high background noise floors that ruined quiet passages, and installation procedures that were overly intricate and difficult to maintain consistently. These practical shortcomings made those earlier systems unsuitable for widespread, reliable commercial adoption.
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