DTS-ES Expanded Surround DTS ES, DTS-ES Discrete

USING THE T 163

ABOUT DTS AND DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND MODES

DTS DIGITAL SURROUND

The Digital Theater System Digital Surround (simply called DTS) is a multichannel digital signal format that can process higher data rates than with Dolby Digital. Although both Dolby Digital and DTS are 5.1 channel media formats, discs bearing the “DTS” symbol are thought to provide better sound quality due to the lower audio compression required.

It also offers a broader dynamic, producing magnificent sound quality.

DTS-ES EXPANDED SURROUND ™ (DTS ES)

This is a new multichannel digital format which greatly improves the 360° spatial sensation of the Surround impression thanks to the greater space expansion of the surround signals, providing high compatibility with the conventional DTS format.

In addition to the 5.1 channels, the expanded DTS-ES Surround also offers the back surround (also sometimes called the “surround centre”) in reproduction, providing a total of 6.1 channels. The expanded DTS-ES Surround includes two formats, with two different methods of surround signal recording, as follows:

DTS-ES™ DISCRETE 6.1

Since the signals of the 6.1 Surround channels (including the back channel) are completely independent, it is possible to achieve the sensation that the acoustic image is moving about freely among the background sounds, 360 degrees surrounding the listener.

Although maximum quality is achieved with sound tracks recorded using this system and reproduced using the DTS-ES decoder, when played with a conventional DTS decoder, the back surround channel is automati- cally downmixed in the surround right and surround left channels of the surround system, in such a way that none of the signal components are lost.

DTS-ES™ MATRIX 6.1

In this format, the additional signals of the back channel receive a matrix encoding and are inputted into the right and left surround channels. During reproduction they are decoded to the right, left and back surround channels.

Since this bit-stream format is 100% compatible with conventional DTS signals, the DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 format effect can also be achieved from sources with DTS-ES 5.1 signals.

Naturally, it is also possible to reproduce from a DTS 5.1 channel decoder, signals recorded in DTS-ES 6.1. When a DTS-ES decoder processes decodes a discrete DTS-ES 6.1 or in Matrix 6.1, these formats are automatically detected and the Optimum Surround mode is selected.

However, some DTS-ES Matrix 6.1 sources may be detected as DTS. In this case the DTS-ES Matrix mode should be selected manually in order to reproduce them.

DTS NEO: 6™ SURROUND

This mode applies the conventional 2-channel signals such as digital PCM or analog stereo signals to the high precision digital matrix decoder used for DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, to achieve 6.1-channel surround playback. DTS Neo: 6 surround includes two modes for selecting the optimum decoding of the signal sources:

DTS NEO: 6 CINEMA

This method is ideal for the reproduction of movies. The decoding takes place by emphasising the separation in order to achieve the same atmosphere with 2-channel, as with 6.1-channel sources.

DTS NEO: 6 MUSIC

Mainly recommended for music reproduction. The right and left front channels do not pass through the decoder and are reproduced directly so there is no loss in sound quality, and the effects of the right surround, left surround, central and back surround channels add a natural sensation of expansion of the sound field.

“DTS”, “DTS-ES Extended Surround” and “Neo: 6” are registered trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

DOLBY DIGITAL

Dolby Digital is the multi-channel digital signal format developed in the Dolby laboratories. Discs bearing the “DOLBY/Digital” symbol were recorded with up to 5.1 channels of digital signals, reproducing a much better sound quality, with dynamic and spatial sound sensations that are much better than in the previous Dolby Surround.

DOLBY DIGITAL EX

Using a Matrix decoder this method creates the back channel (sometimes also called the “surround center”) by means of signals on the left and right surround channels recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1, reproduction being provided in Surround 6.1. This method should be selected with sources bearing the “DOLBY/Digital -EX” symbol, recorded in Dolby Digital Surround EX. With this additional channel you will experience improved dynamics and a better sensation of movement within the sound field.

If media sources recorded in Dolby Digital EX are decoded with a Digital EX decoder, the format is detected automatically, and the Dolby Digital EX mode is selected.

However, some media sources recorded in Dolby Digital EX can be detected as simple Dolby Digital media sources. In this case Dolby Digital EX should be selected manually.