Panastereo SP23 Digital Surround Adapter

This product has been discontinued because of decreased demand. This webpage is for reference only.

Since the introduction of 5.1 digital sound in cinemas it has been possible to decode the sum and difference signals from the stereo surround channels to produce two additional surround channels. This can be achieved in exactly the same way that the center and surround channels are decoded from the left and right channels of analogue soundtracks. Panalogic Corp demonstrated this in 1995 at Avoca Beach Cinema, north of Sydney, Australia, where we connected a Panastereo CM224 matrix decoder to a DTS player to provide a decoded rear wall surround channel.

The SP23 is designed to decode up to two additional surround channels from the stereo surround channels in 5.1 digital systems. The SP23 connects to the stereo surround outputs of any cinema processor and provides a rear wall center-surround channel and an optional future additional surround channel for possible future formats.

The SP23 uses the same legendary high separation matrix decoder circuit as used in the THX approved Panastereo Cinema Processors for exceptional decoding performance, free of the artifacts inherent in all other systems. The unit also uses standard high performance Panastereo CM237 or CM347 equalizer cards enabling users with Panastereo processors to re-use the surround equalizer(s) from the processor.

• High performance matrix decoding of center (rear) surround information.
• Choice of 10 band octave (SP23-10) or 30 band 1/3 octave (SP23-30) equalizers for all 3 surround channels.
• Users with Panastereo processors can re-use the surround equalizer card from the cinema processor in the SP23 to save the cost of duplication.
• Provides 3-channel mono surround for stereo analogue soundtracks.
• Balanced inputs and outputs for hum and buzz free installation.
• Superb noise and distortion performance.
• SX Surround decode and input level LED indicators.
• CSP1200 / CP65 pin compatible 25-way D automation connector.
• Input / output connections via plug-in Phoenix connectors.
• Power-off bypass and manual bypass facility.
• Built-in power supply module.
• 1U standard rack mount chassis with front accessible plug in card modules.
• Designed and manufactured in Australia. Distributed worldwide by Panastereo Inc. in the U.S.
• Fully compatible with the Digital Soundtracks that contain a Center-Surround encoded channel. The third surround channel is recorded on each of the three digital sound formats.