DTS Audio Codecs

DTS originally by Digital Theater Systems, just like Dolby Digital is a multichannel audio coding technology converts stereo sound sources to 5.1-channels but implemented  differently. Today, DTS and Dolby Digital are both implemented in DVD and home theater applications. In addition to the standard 5.1-channel DTS Surround codec, the company has several other technologies in its product range designed to compete with similar systems from Dolby Labs. These conceptually extend the core DTS Coherent Acoustics codec data stream to add more channels. The core stream is compatible with DTS decoders which do not support the extension(s) that provide additional data required to implement additional functionality.
In the consumer applications DTS is said to deliver a perceptually transparent performance when encoded at its highest legal bit rate of 1509.75kbps. However, in practical applications neither Dolby Digital nor DTS is run at their nominal bit rates owing to bandwidth and storage space constraints. Dolby Digital also known as AC-3 is capped at 448kps while DTS at 754.5kbps.

DTS Express

DTS Express is a proven high quality, low bit-rate audio codec that has been widely used by major entertainment studios for Blu-ray secondary audio, BD Live, and other similar applications. DTS Express can be used with up to 5.1 channels and up to 48 kHz/24 bit. This technology also features constant bit rates from 48 kbps to 512 kbps and is fully compatible with hundreds of millions of consumer electronics devices with a DTS Digital Surround™ real-time transcoder. DTS Express also features the exclusive “Fit-To-Stream” technology for digital delivery tailored for consumers downloading entertainment content via the internet.

DTS Digital Surround

There are several variants of DTS Digital Surround™ and include the following;

• DTS Digital Surround: capable of delivering up to 5.1-channels of up 48 kHz/24-bit and at constant bit rates of up to 1.5 Mbps. It is compatible with hundreds of millions of DTS decoders in the world today. It forms the core of DTS-HD codecs, resulting in backward compatibility with legacy DTS playback devices.
• DTS Digital Surround 96/24: Has a sample rate of 96 kHz and bit-depth of 24 bits. It delivers superior frequency response, tonal accuracy, and dynamic range. It is the only surround audio format capable of delivering 96 kHz over an S/PDIF connection.
• DTS Digital Surround ES: This adds a discrete center surround channel to deliver an exciting 6.1 discreet sound channel experience. The additional channel increases sound localization and offers creative opportunities to the sound mixer, thus offering a more engaging surround sound experience to the consumer. DTS Digital Surround ES is the only compressed digital audio format that is capable of delivering 6.1 discrete channels of audio over S/PDIF.
• DTS Neo:6 is comparable to Dolby's Prologic IIx. It creates up to six full-bandwidth matrix channels of surround sound from any stereo audio source.  DTS Neo:6 generates a proper center channel, along with accurately directing audio to either a 5.1 or 6.1 setup, based on the destination speaker layout, which naturally follows the original presentation.
• DTS Neo:X can take stereo, 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 source material and output up to 11.1 channels including front height and width channels. Unlike Dolby's Pro LogicIIz system, which only adds front height channels to the 7.1 configuration, Neo:X supports both front height and front wide channels. DTS Neo:X also supports 11.1 encoding through matrixing of front height and front wide channel information into the front and surround channels, respectively, of a 5.1 or 7.1 audio mix.

DTS-HD High Resolution Audio

DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is a high-resolution audio format, which provides a higher quality audio experience than standard definition surround sound. It has been adopted for Blu-ray Disc™. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio can deliver up to 7.1 discreet channels and 96kHz/24-bit. It provides constant bit rates from 2.0 to 6.0 Mbps. In fact in some applications it's used as an alternative to DTS-HD Master Audio™ because it uses up less space in comparison while delivering a high definition audio experience.

DTS-HD Master Audio (DTS-HD MA)

DTS-HD Master Audio allows up to 7.1 discreet channels at 96kHz or 5.1-channels at 192kHz and is backward compatible with legacy DTS decoders. DTS-HD Master Audio is the premium high definition format for all high definition applications. It reproduces the studio master recording bit-for-bit and utilizes variable bit-rate technology to deliver an uncompromised audio experience that brings movies, music and games to life. DTS-HD Master Audio has been adopted as an industry wide standard for for Blu-ray disc. It's non redundant structure enables for a more streamlined production. The savings in data and bandwidth enables content creators to increase video quality, add alternate languages, special features and other added value material. DTS-HD Master Audio is selected as an optional surround sound format for Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, where it has been limited to a maximum of 8 discrete channels. DTS-HD MA supports variable bit rates up to 24.5 Mbit/s on a Blu-ray Disc and up to 18.0 Mbit/s for HD DVD, with up to channels encoded at up to 192kHz or 8 channels encoded at 96kHz/24 bit.