DTS Neo:6
DTS Neo:6, DTS's answer to Dolby's Pro Logic technologies, provides as many as six full-band channels of matrix decoding from stereo matrix material. If you have a 5.1 or 6.1 setup, you can enjoy surround presentations from matrixed 2.0 material on VHS tapes, DVDs, and so on. DTS Neo:6 can also generate a center-back channel from DTS 5.1 material. Of course, a DTS Neo:6 presentation won't match the clarity and specificity of a discrete-channel track, but it provides a nice sense of ambience nevertheless.

DTS 5.1
DTS 5.1 is a six-channel surround-sound technology that has become as popular—if not more so—than Dolby Digital 5.1. The DTS technology typically uses less compression than Dolby Digital does, and it offers a higher data rate. Given those facts, most people automatically maintain that it sounds better than Dolby Digital. But the situation is a bit more complicated than that. Dolby uses a technology called perceptual encoding to optimize its compression, so, for example, side-by-side comparisons of DVDs encoded with both formats often lead to inconclusive results. Sometimes, the sound quality is so similar that you wonder why the authors of the disc bothered to waste space with both formats.

DTS-Extended Surround (ES) 6.1
Upping the ante in the war for the center-back channel (that bliss blaster that's pointed at the back of your head), DTS-ES is the only format currently on the market that's capable of delivering 6.1 channels of discrete audio. No matrixed channel here, as with Dolby Digital EX—that back channel gets its own information, specifically intended to blow your ears away. But fear not: If you don't happen to have a speaker behind your head, DTS-ES–encoded soundtracks are fully compatible with existing DTS 5.1 decoders. If you do have that speaker (or, better, if you've split the channel into two back-center speakers), the DTS-ES 6.1 decoder will play that discrete channel and subtract the matrixed information from the left and right surround channels. And, yes, you will have achieved nirvana.

Unfortunately, the number of DTS-ES 6.1-encoded DVDs and music DVDs is relatively small. The format hasn't caught on in a big way, simply because consumers haven't really taken to the notion of additional speakers beyond the basic 5.1 setup.

THX
Contrary to popular belief, THX isn't a technology in the realm of Dolby and DTS. Rather, it is an audio stamp of approval. When you see the THX logo on a particular piece of hardware (e.g., home-theater receiver, DVD player) or entertainment (e.g., film, TV, DVD, game, music), you know that the item has endured a rigorous THX quality-assurance test. The benefit of such a stamp of approval is that participants on both sides of the equation—from sound engineers to filmmakers to exhibitors to DVD authors to the consumer—know that a given product will deliver a terrific entertainment experience.

Through an array of peerless quality-assurance standards, technologies, and certification programs, THX—a third-party entity—monitors both visual and audio content from content creation through presentation. When George Lucas founded THX in the early 1980s, he said, “Sound is 50 percent of the motion picture experience,” then complained that most theatres were failing to deliver a sound presentation that matched the filmmaker’s artistic vision. It was Lucas who believed that the cinema industry could benefit from a quality control standard to deliver a consistent level of performance, across all theatre venues. THX has since expanded beyond the box office—the company now bestows its stamp of approval on other entertainment media and presentation venues in which picture and sound are crucial elements.

Sounds of the Future
So what kind of bliss might our ears be experiencing over the coming months and years? What will the evolution of home-theater audio lead to? One potential presence in the arena of home-theater audio is Sony's proprietary eight-channel Sony Dynamic Digital Sound (SDDS) technology, which you might have experienced in theaters. It adds left-center and right-center channels to the typical 5.1 setup. Some home-theater receivers and DVD players are capable of decoding SDDS, but in general the format has seen only limited, proprietary use.

If you're into music, and you're shopping for a DVD player, you might want to consider DVD-A and SACD—high-end music formats that are just now appearing together on players after a few years of competition. Hybrid players are becoming quite reasonable, but only the better (i.e., more expensive) players offer precise bass-management capabilities. Audiophiles will find these still-relatively-niche technologies—which offer extremely high fidelity and dreamy multichannel mixes—spectacular.

A new Dolby technology just catching on is Dolby Headphone, an algorithm that somehow reproduces the dynamics of a 5.1-channel surround-sound experience and wraps it around your head in two speakers. You can use any pair of stereo headphones to enjoy a greater sense of immersion—for example, if it's late at night and you don't want your pounding subwoofer to wake the kids.

Rumors fly in the audio realm of as many as 10.1 channels describing the future of the home theater, speaker configurations that surround you so completely with high-fidelity sound that you’re reduced to a quivering blob of wet ecstasy in your seat. Whatever the future holds, we’re drooling for it.

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Reader Comments
so, call me dumb, but whats better - dolby digital or DTS? I've got a sony 5.1/dts amp and use the digital input, however when I play a movie in dolby digital 5.1 and then change the option to DTS and play it, I cannot tell the difference - is DTS better than Dolby? audio-newb -March 4, 2004 I'm with the author. I've got a pretty good system, high-end Onkyo with a Polk setup, and I can rarely tell the difference between DTS and Dolby. DTS usually sounds louder at the same level, but that doesn't mean anything. Occasionally, DTS sounds a little more open, and tighter in the bass, but the differences are never (or at least rarely) astonishing. DVD Dude -March 5, 2004 Nice try. But you stated the very problem that keeps many of us from investing in a home theater setup. There are too many versions of the software! And how many channels will be necessary? Do I really want to clutter my living/TV/listening/entertaining space with all those speakers and wires? Here's what you need. Two speakers. GOOD ones. They'll throw a nice wide soundstage so you won't even need a center channel. If you want dinosaurs romping through your room, get a sub. End of story! ihatems -March 9, 2004 To ihatems, I think the article is talking about equating movie theater sound in the home. For that, you need a multichannel setup. Most of us understand the beauty of a good stereo setup and the soundstage it can create, but for movies, it's gotta be 5.1 or more. Otherwise, you're missing out on a lot. I agree that there are too many options. But I've never had a case where a DVD has been unplayable because of my lack of hardware. If you don't want to go above Dolby 5.1, you don't have to. raider -March 10, 2004 To 'ihatems', if you do not want to clutter your living space then don't but I would recommend re-reading the article before giving advice cause it sounds like (from your post) that you missed something along the way. There is nothing better than wrap-around sound when watching a movie at home. I wouldn't mind seeing a 10.1 but you would have to ask how much is too much. At what point are you get not seeing any improvement in sound quality. Either way we are nowhere near that point now so bring on the technology. BTW...MS>L Wolf -March 10, 2004 To ihatems -- I wouldn't worry about what's coming in the future. Get what's hot right now and enjoy it. I love my 5.1 surround sound, and a movie anywhere else just plain sucks. Do I need 6.1 or 7.1? Definitely not? Is it cool? Sure, but I'm happy with what I have. Get yourself a 5.1 surround system for a few hundred bucks and see what you've been missing. You can always upgrade later. Jim -March 10, 2004 Hi All I tend to agree with "ihatems". A pair of quality front speakers make me satisfied`. I also understand that if you want to take full advantage of movie sound, you need multich. systems, but they are rather expensive when demanding a certain quality level.I use Audiovector M3 Signature stereo speakers, really good sound experience for music AND film - thats it`! Carsten -March 11, 2004 Fun article. Timely, too. Just bought back center speakers for DTS 6.1 ES. There's not many dvds out there that have 6.1 ES, but it's amazing. Grady -March 11, 2004 DTS vs Dolby Digital. To me personally DTS wins hands down. More oomph to the soundtrack especially concerts. I currently run a 6.1 system and the sound is nothing short of breathtaking. I look forward to more channels to totally envelope you in the film the way the director truly wants us to be. Robert -October 17, 2004 Who knows about some movie in 7.1? Roosevelt -April 7, 2005 This article was very informative. There was something that was not really covered. What if you just installed a 7.1 setup? I have left, center, right...then surround left & right...then surround back lef & right. Finally, a sub woofer. I cannot get my Denon 3805 to display "Dolby Digital". It only sets it to Dolby Pro Logic IIx. Am I better off disconnecting the surrounds, and going with Dolby Digital with 5.1, or staying with Dolby Pro Logic IIx with 7.1??? Any suggestions & explanations would be most appreciative. Sincerely, Greg McLean Greg McLean -May 23, 2005 nid d software . sagar -July 16, 2009 READER COMMENTS: We want to hear what you have to say about this article!     Acceptable Use Policy Your Comments (required): Your email is only used if our editors need to contact you. It is not used or stored for any other purpose, nor posted with your comments. Enter the text from the image below Please refresh the page if you have trouble reading this text.