When considering perceived quality today, what element is often the limiting factor more than display resolution past a certain threshold?
Answer
The audio format, such as a poorly decoded or downmixed signal.
A practical conclusion drawn from the historical emphasis on audio fidelity is that the quality of the sound reproduction often dictates the perceived immersion level, even when superior video technology is available. Even a massive display, such as an 8K screen, will result in a less immersive experience if the accompanying audio is a poorly decoded, downmixed stereo signal. Conversely, a perfectly decoded, discrete 5.1 or 7.1 signal can provide a superior sense of presence and scale on a lower-resolution screen, like 1080p. This underscores the historical understanding that convincing the ears creates presence before visual scale alone can.
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