1
Introduction to the DTS Audio Format
Several major consumer audio formats that exist today are listed in this table:
Note 1 - All formats require decoders, except Stereo and THX. THX is not a processing system but an audio/video quality control approval system.
Its certification stamp means that the video and audio quality at theaters and CD/DVD discs meet uniform standards. This means the same
movie viewed at one theater will not be different when viewing it at another theater.
Note 2 - Data rate = bits sampled X sample rate. A CD player (44.1kHz) rate was chosen for comparison. The DVD sample rate of 48kHz would
make its data rate higher than shown.
Note 3 - LD = Laser Discs; DVD = Digital videodiscs; DTV = Digital TV; theaters = Movie theaters; VHS = Videotape format.
Test discs can be purchased from different distributors:
Prologic test CD #SSTCD
·Sony parts distributors. Call 1-800-222-Sony for a distributor
Dolby DVD – TEST 1 # 22707 $45.
·USC Products Marketing Co.; 1 800 983 6529
DTS Test CD (digital output only)
·Digital Sound Systems Entertainment
5171 Clareton Drive, Agoura Hills, Calif. 91301
1-818-706-3525 part #DTS-CD 96091
·Sony parts distributors. Call 1-800-222-Sony for a distributor
CD part # J2501-154-A $7.76 list price
DTS Test DVD #DTS-DVD 98061
·Digital Sound Systems Entertainment
Agoura Hills, Calif. 91301
1-818-706-3525 part #DTS- DVD 98061
Audio Formats
Format (note 1) Year
Used Chan
-nels Class Typical
sample Typical Data Rate
(note 2) Compression
(Approx.)
Test Disc Signal Source (note 3)
1. Stereo 1933 2 Analog linear FM, VHS, CD, LD, etc.
2. PCM (digital
version of stereo) 2 Digital 16 bits /
sample. 705kbit/sec
(44.1kHz sample) None DVD, LD
3. Dolby Surround
1982 3 Analog None VHS
4. Dolby Prologic
1987 4 Analog None Prologic test CD
Dolby DVD-TEST1 VHS, theaters
5. Dolby Digital
1991 6 Digital 20 bits /
sample 384 Kbytes/sec
(44.1kHz sample)
90% Dolby DVD-TEST1 DVD, LD, DTV
6. DTS
1993 6 Digital 20 bits /
sample 1,411kbits/sec
(44.1kHz sample)
75% DTS Test CD
DTS Test DVD DVD, LD, CD
7. THX
1982 2-6 Either Theaters, DVD, LD, VHS