What's DTS?

DTS is a series of multichannel audio technologies (formerly known as Digital Theater Systems, Inc.), a company dedicatedly specializing in digital surround sound formats used for both commercial/theatrical and consumer grade applications. DTS is an audio codec which is a part of the Laser Disc, DVD and Blu-Ray specifications, which is a consumer version and used mainly at places where the loud sound is required. This format is used for large music systems and theatrical screenings and it is also a common distribution format for DVDs, for a simple reason that it is compatible with most of the supporting equipment.

History of DTS

The work on the development of DTS started in the year 1991, after which it entered the consumer market in 1996. It was suitable for a broad consumer spectrum for multimedia formats and pro audio products. Today DTS is one of the most common audio technology used in DVD players, theatrical screenings, digital media players, high-tech car audio systems and set-top box telecasting as well as Blu-ray discs.

Compatibility

DTS is used for decoding DVDs and on film prints, especially those which are used for big screen playing like movie theaters and large size projecting purposes.

Pros:

· Better and louder sound quality.
· Requires less compression (only 4.1 adaptive).
· Can house multi-lingual soundtracks without having to change the film.
· Media is less subject to damage even after multiple screening.

Cons:

· Occupies a lot of memory space on the disc.
· Needs a compatible DVD player and DTS capable receiver in order to play.
· Does not play in all DVD setups.

DTS vs AC3

In the home theater market, AC-3 and DTS are close in terms of audio performance. When the DTS audio track is encoded at its highest legal bitrate (1509.75 kbps), technical experts rank DTS as perceptually transparent for most audio program material (i.e., indistinguishable to the un-coded source in a double blind test). Dolby claims its competing AC-3 codec achieves similar transparency at its highest coded bitrate (640 kbps). However, in program material available to home consumer markets (DVD, broadcast, and subscription digital TV), neither AC-3 nor DTS typically run at their highest allowed bitrate. DVD and broadcast (ATSC) HDTV cap AC-3 bitrate at 448 kbps.

However, even at that rate, consumer audio gear already enjoys better audio performance than theatrical (35 mm movie) installations, which are limited to even lower bitrates. When DTS audio was introduced to the DVD specification, studios authored DVD movies at DTS' full bitrate(1509.75 kbps). Later, movie titles were almost always encoded at a reduced bitrate of 754.5 kbps, ostensibly to increase the number of audio tracks on the movie disc. At this reduced rate (754.5 kbps), DTS no longer retains audio transparency.

AC-3 and DTS are judged by their encoded bitrates. DTS proponents claim that the extra bits give higher fidelity and more dynamic range, providing a richer and more lifelike sound. But no conclusion can be drawn from their respective bitrates, as each codec relies on different coding tools and syntax to compress audio.

Like AC-3, DTS surrounding has also stereo surrounds channel:

Mono (Center only)
2-channel stereo (Left + Right), optionally carrying matrixed Dolby Surround
3-channel stereo (Left, Center, Right)
2-channel stereo with mono surround (Left, Right, Surround)
3-channel stereo with mono surround (Left, Center, Right, Surround)
4-channel quadraphonic (Left, Right, Left Surround, Right Surround)
5-channel surrounding (Left, Center, Right, Left Surround, Right Surround)

Generally speaking, DVD's audio is AC-3 or DTS format, which is featured 5.1 surround sound. When you play and watch DVD movie through the home theater system, this multi-dimensional audio effect will make you immersive feel the fantastic of DVD movie. Meanwhile, AC-3 and DTS audio format can also be converted and stored into video files like MPEG and AVI. When playback them on your media player, it can also achieve the 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

The Best DTS to AC3 Converter

To convert DTS to AC3, EaseFab Video Converter is the easiest way for you. It is a professional MKV DTS to AC3 converter. With it, you can convert DTS to AC3, AAC, MP3, M4A and more just with a few simple clicks. And it gives you the great output effect, without affecting any audio & video quality of your MKV or other video files.