I would be interested in learning more about your proposed encoding
method. As for the 4-channel UHJ, not too much luck on the web so far.
Guess I'll keep digging for now and wait till I get home to dig into
some periodicals where I have a bigger library. This whole thing is
complicated by the fact that I'm studying in Australia at the moment,
and even if my home collegiate library has the Gerzon references and
other articles, I doubt they'd be willing to do an intenational library
loan.
In the way of professional support, I know that Meridian still
offers Ambisonic circuitry in one of their high-end home theatre
receivers. Ambisonics.net points to a few small companies that are
still making studio hardware, though a few of the links were farked and
the rest I had trouble finding the products. If I were to go looking
for the vintage ambisonic mixing controls (Transcoder, Tilt-Tumble,
etc.), anybody have any clue what those would set me back? This, of
course, is hypothetical, as I can almost guarantee I do NOT have the
cash, at least not to spend on that!
Anyone who's been following the thread would be interested in this -
University of York has a page detailing how to set up an Ambisonic
environment using just a multi-buss mixer. They also talk about using
standard microphones to emulate a soundfield mic. Here's the link -
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/mustech/3.../ambitips.html

Cheers,
Mike