DTS (Dedicated to Sound)
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DTS (Dedicated to Sound) is a digital sound coding standard created by Universal Pictures. Compared with the Dolby Digital standard, DTS uses four times less compression and digitizes sound at 20 bits instead of 16. Therefore, DTS's sound quality is theoretically higher, at the cost of a higher bit rate. To be able to play DTS-encoded media, you need a certified DTS decoder.
Types of DTS
DTS falls into four different categories. The first is DTS 6, the most commonly used 5.1 standard, which can encode six-channel sound with less compression than the Dolby Digital standard. The first five channels are used for the satellite speakers, while the last is reserved for the subwoofer. These devices are normally identified by the presence of this logo:
The second is DTS ES (Digital Theater Sound Extended Surround), a 6.1 standard that uses an additional rear channel (rear central). DTS ES uses less compression than Dolby Digital EX:
DTS ES standard has two variants: DTS ES Matrix, which has a seventh channel interpolated with the primary channels called "virtualization". and DTS ES Discrete, which has an seventh independent channel.
The third category is DTS 24/96, which represents an audio format used for storing high-definition music with several channels. This format is primarily used in DVD Audio or audio tracks that accompany video DVDs. The name comes from the fact that the tracks are recorded in 24 bits at 96 kHz. It may be in either stereo or 5.1:
The final category is DTS Neo:6, a format for upmixing (or virtualizing) from a stereo sound source:
Image: © Xperi Corporation.
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