DTS

DTS: Digital Theater Systems. In cinemas, DTS is a multichannel audio source for synchronized film sound. A modified SMPTE 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. 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 uses a lighter compression scheme than Dolby Digital for audio.

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

'DTS on DVD': DTS is also a sound format available on some DVDs. This system uses a similar compression algorithm but does not require separate DTS CD-ROM media.

The cinema sound format uses 4:1 compression and is based on the APTX100 decoder. The need for a consumer grade compression scheme resulted in DTS developing 'Coherent Acoustics' or what todays users experience as home theatre surround audio aka 'DTS'. A Open Source DTS decoder called DTSdec is part of the VideoLAN project.

APTX100 is a trademark of Audio Processing Technology (APT).

See also home cinema See also AC3