DTS followed in 1993 and is now available in almost as many theaters.ĭolby Digital (DD, also known as Dolby AC-3) was later chosen as the audio encoding technology for the new Digital TV ( DTV) standard. This audio system is now available in over 9,000 theaters in North America and countless others throughout the world.
#Dolby digital vs dts movie#
Both Dolby Laboratories and Digital Theater Systems (the makers of DTS) are working on extended 6 (or more) channel versions.ĭolby Digital 5.1 was introduced in movie theaters in 1992 with the release of Batman Returns. Both Dolby Digital and DTS are 5.1 formats, which mean they offer 5 discrete audio channels plus one discreet LFE (low-frequency effects) channel, which drives your subwoofer. DTS does use a higher bit rate for encoding audio signals, but that in itself only gives it the potential to sound better. Most people believe that since DTS technology came later and was generally found in more expensive receivers that it must be better. In either case, you may want to know the difference between the two.Ĭontrary to popular belief, one is not clearly better than the other.
Some receivers still only have Dolby Digital 5.1, but these are a dying breed. In that light, when choosing a new receiver, you should probably select one with both.
These days most home theater receivers come with both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio capability.