In cinemas, DTS (Digital Theater Systems) is a multichannel audio source for synchronized film sound. A modified time code is optically imaged on the film itself, and the DTS processor uses this to synchronize the soundtrack audio which is recorded in a compressed form on standard CD-ROM media (1.5 megabits/second). The timecode modifications allow identifying data that ensures that a certain film's soundtrack will only run with that film. Release-current "trailer" soundtracks are also recorded on most film DTS disks and also on separate trailer-only disks. DTS processors can hold 2 or 3 CDs to allow for 2-disk soundtracks and/or trailer disks.

DTS's main competitors in multichannel audio are Dolby Digital and SDDS. Only Dolby Digital and DTS are used on DVDs and implemented in home theater hardware. In home theater applications, DTS can use lower data rates of approximately 800 kilobits/second or less.

DTS is an enhanced copy (and, according to some movie industry insiders, a hacking) of a french patent called LC Concept first used in 1990 for the movie Cyrano de Bergerac.

DTS was first shown in the cinema with the release of Jurassic Park in 1993.

DTS as a codec

DTS is also the name often used for the 'Coherent Acoustics' codec which is used on DVDs, CDDAs and in wave files. This system uses a similar codec but does not require separate DTS CD-ROM media.

DTS variants

DTS has expanded its product range to compete with developments from Dolby Labs. Among them include:

• DTS-ES - a regular 5.1 implementation of DTS, with an extra rear channel. There are three variants of this.
  • In theaters, debuting with Star Wars: Episode I, a rear center channel was matrixed into rear left and right channels. In theaters this is derived from a matrix technology licensed from Dolby, and hence is properly reference to as DTS Digital Surround Dolby Digital Surround EX (http://www.smr-home-theatre.org/myths/surroundex.html).
  • In the home, there is a similar variant using DTS matrix technology (NEO:6, see below) referred to as DTS 6.1 ES Matrix and a variant with a similarly encoded discrete channel called DTS ES 6.1 Discrete.
• DTS NEO:6 - competitor to Dolby Pro Logic and DPL II, making multichannel effects out of stereo audio
• DTS 96/24 - higher output sampling rate for multichannel audio
• DTS Interactive - realtime application for gaming

See also:

• Home cinema
• Codec
• AC3
• Coherent Acoustics
• Dolby vs DTS

External links

• DTS technologies (http://www.dtsonline.com/technology/at-a-glance.php)

de:Digital Theater Systems ja:デジタル・シアター・システムズ pt:DTS