With a name like Immersive Media Research Vortex Zoom Encoder, I was expecting some sort of device that I could use to rent the time-space continuum in twain. Of course, when you set the bar too high, it gets harder to clear, and the IMR Vortex Zoom Encoder really just converts your four-channel Zoom H2 recordings to 5.1 surround formats at the drop of a hat*.

A lot of people may not be aware of this, but the Zoom H2 has four built-in mics to capture 360 degree sound into a pair of stereo WAV files, making it, in essence, a handheld surround sound recorder at a price point that won't force you to dip into your yacht fund. Unfortunately, with just the H2 alone, there is no feasibly easy solution for surround sound sharing. That is, until IMR released Vortex Zoom Encoder.

All it takes is a single click to convert your dual-stereo H2 recordings into standard 5.1 formats that you can share with the entire world. Take your two stereo WAVs and drop them into the Vortex Zoom Encoder Window. Choose DTS, Binaural or 5.1 WAV, and you're done -- two become one, just like the Spice Girls promised!

Vortex Zoom Encoder takes its cues from the high-end Vortex Surround Encoder -- a more professional program for sound design. Zoom Encoder runs on Mac OS X and Windows XP and Vista.

* The literal act of dropping a hat will not convert your H2 files.