We have all been patiently waiting for a 5.1 version of the Independence Day: Resurgence trailer, and so far 20th Century Fox has only provided a 2 channel stereo version. I have decided to do some experimenting using some audio processors with the goal of creating a track that sounds better than the result of a stereo track played back using Pro-Logic II or Neo: 6 processing. I think I have done so, and the result is similar to what I recall hearing in the cinema when the trailer played ahead of The Force Awakens.

Obviously this is not ideal, but it should be better than the default 2 channel version until we can get a proper encode.  This is an experiment, and I do want your feedback. Is this worth doing for trailers that are not available in native 5.1? Does this sound better than 2.0 with Pro-Logic decoding?

Please try it out, and compare it with a stereo version. From my set up, I found this to have a much wider sound stage, greater dynamics, and a more powerful LFE than a Neo: 6 decode. The experimental trailer can be found at the Independence Day: Resurgence page.

Our first look at Episode VIII, picking up right where we left off…or, keeping us where we left off in The Force Awakens. Let the countdown officially begin! The Star Wars: Episode VIII page has been added, where you can find a ‘better than youtube’ version of the announcement trailer.