In computer animation there is a known dip in comfort level as a function of the fidelity and likeness of a human image. This paper is an investigation of this same subjective phenomenon in the area of spatial voice. Since voice signals are very familiar they are likely to exhibit a similar trajectory of comfort. One possible theoretical explanation for this is that large errors tend to create a sense of distance and be accepted as degradation in the channel - for example we tolerate a low fidelity with most remote voice communication. For smaller errors, as the channel improves, the errors may be associated with the source or person speaking. Such error may trigger a sense of unease. In any communications system, practical considerations often lead to distortion in the capture, transport and reproduction of voice; attempts to disguise and mask distortion may lead to the perception of disturbing abnormalities by the subject. This paper combines a literature review in this area of perception, some hypotheses and some development experiences related to deliberate and adverse distortion of acoustic and spatial aspects of a sound field containing voice. A suggested analysis framework is presented for considering the relationship between the nature of a disturbance and the potential for disturbing or uncanny experiences. The potential aspects to be investigated from this are numerous - the focus of this paper is to present a framework that may help to understand and estimate the potential impact of the uncanny and to present examples for possible further investigation.

Authors: Dickins, Glenn; Sun, Xuejing; Cartwright, Richard; Gunawan, David
Affiliation: Dolby Laboratories, Sydney, Australia, Dolby Laboratories, Beijing, China
AES Conference: 52nd International Conference: Sound Field Control - Engineering and Perception (September 2013)
Paper Number: P-5
Publication Date: September 2, 2013
Subject: Posters

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