What is SMART Content?
One of the more interesting aspects of DVD-A is a feature known as SMART (System Managed Audio Resource Technique) Content. SMART Content is an auto downmix provision that lets a consumer with only a stereo system have the multichannel mix automatically downmixed to that format. While on the surface it might seem like a scary thing having that great multichannel mix fold down to stereo, SMART Content actually gives the producer a choice in the way this downmix will take place by allowing the producer to select one of 16 downmix coefficients that get stored along with the audio data. SMART Content has the added byproduct of potentially eliminating the need to include a separate stereo mix on the disc, thereby freeing up space for either higher quality audio or additional data information. While this looks good on paper, not too many producers actually take advantage of it.
