SURROUND SOUND

Everything is changing in this space. Old channelized audio (5.1, 7.1, 9.1, 11.1) is still backward compatible with the new object based technologies, but going forward audio object technology allows filmmakers unprecedented realism and creative freedom when designing movie soundtracks. With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, content creators can precisely place and move sounds almost anywhere, including overhead, to create a multidimensional listening experience.

Home theater with Dolby ATMOS caps on top of the front speakers. Sounds from above the listener will be routed to the ATMOS caps and bounced off the ceiling.

Add on module for ATMOS using existing front and rear speakers.

Some new speakers integrate ATMOS technology. Simply run an extra speaker wire to enable the ATMOS ceiling speaker.

Dolby ATMOS

Scales easily to any size cinema, with up to 64 independent speaker outputs. Dolby ATMOS supports up to 128 simultaneous audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound.

Dolby TrueHD

Lossless audio format that represents a bit-for-bit copy of the original master recording. Dolby TrueHD supports up to 7.1 channels and is available on many Blu-ray discs.

Dolby Pro Logic IIz

The latest version of Dolby Pro Logic adding front height speakers to surround sound.

Dolby Pro Logic II

Takes stereo content and converts it into virtual surround sound.

Dolby Digital Live

Allows gamers to send PC audio or game console audio into a surround sound system.

Dolby Digital EX

Early Blu-ray and HD DVD discs added an extra channel to 5.1 surround sound for a center rear channel.

DTS-HD Master Audio (MA)

Lossless audio format that represents a bit-for-bit copy of the original master recording. DTS-HD Master Audio supports up to 7.1 channels and is available on many Blu-ray discs.

DTS Surround Sound

Lossy 5.1 audio format found on many DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

DTS 96/24

High bit rate music disc format (24 bit) using a 96 kHz sampling frequency. Normal CDs use 16/44 (16 bit/44 kHz).

DTS Neo:6

Decoder that takes a stereo signal and processes it into a full surround-sound experience.

DTS:X

Receiver runs in calibration mode detecting location and relative position of all the speakers. With this self report, DTS:X can then translate the audio input into matching audio outputs. The relative configuration is easier to set up than Dolby Atmos, but with no reference system, sound engineers cannot place the audio as reliably in the mix. Movie theaters broadly use Dolby ATMOS and have not adopted DTS:X at the same rate.

"Anyone who has seen the movie "Gravity" in a Dolby Atmos theater can understand what it's like to truly experience surround-sound. The viewer becomes completely immersed in booms, echoes, smashes, and whispers -- space debris zooms overhead, loudly crashes into the International Space Station, and then there's total silence with just the faint murmur of Sandra Bullock's panicked breathing. There's a reason why two of the movie's seven Academy awards were for sound."