Lossless DTS-HD format announced

[SilverMK3]

http://www.audioholics.com/news/pressreleases/DTSHDdemoCES.php

DTS to Demo DTS-HD Master Audio at CES 2006
First Public Demonstration of High Definition Video Played with 7.1 Channels of HD Audio

[dtshd]AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - Dec. 20, 2005 - At the 2006 CES (Consumer Electronics Show), DTS, Inc. will premiere DTS-HD Master Audio, the company's high definition surround sound solution for next-generation high definition media. This marks the first public demonstration of high definition video content shown in conjunction with 7.1 discrete channels of surround sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the master soundtrack. Previously announced as DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio has been selected as an option in the standards for the upcoming Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD media formats. The company will be holding demonstrations of DTS-HD Master Audio throughout CES, January 5-8, 2006, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall Room #N242.

Presented in 1080p super high definition video, this dramatic demonstration will include clips of major Hollywood feature films, concert videos and music videos seen and heard for the first time in both high definition video and audio. The program itself was produced by Martyn Ware, founding member of The Human League and Heaven 17, and one of the most in-demand producers in the UK today.

Highlights:

* DTS Digital Surround (DTS' core 5.1 technology) has been selected as mandatory audio technology for both Blu-ray Disc (BD) and High Definition Digital Versatile Disc (HD-DVD).
* DTS-HD has been selected as an optional feature in both formats
* DTS-HD is a set of extensions to DTS' Coherent Acoustics audio coding system which encompasses DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES 6.1 discrete, DTS Neo:6 and DTS 96/24.
* DTS-HD™ is the only technology that will deliver lossless surround sound for these new disc formats, ensuring the highest quality audio performance available in the new standards.
* As a mandatory technology in the next generation standards, a DTS decoder will be built into every HD-DVD or Blu-ray Disc player.
* One single DTS-HD datastream on a disc can carry everything from standard DTS 5.1 playable on virtually all existing 280 million plus DTS decoders, all the way to lossless for next-generation systems.

"The consumer electronics industry is entering a new era, and DTS is pushing the envelope by making the home entertainment experience completely come alive," said Jon Kirchner, President and CEO of DTS. "With DTS-HD Master Audio, for the first time we have sound that matches high definition video images and allows people to truly live the high definition life."

In addition to producing audio so pure and accurate it is identical to the master soundtrack and having 7.1-channel discrete sound capability, DTS-HD Master Audio is also compatible with existing generation equipment and can deliver a significant increase in sound quality when consumers play the next-generation discs and players through their current A/V equipment. DTS-HD Master Audio is an extension of Coherent Acoustics, which is the digital codec upon which all of DTS' audio technologies in the consumer electronics space are based, and was built from design to be highly flexible in anticipation of future requirements and applications.

DTS-HD Master Audio is expected to launch in a variety of the new high definition players and A/V receivers planned for introduction throughout 2006 from major manufacturers.

About DTS
DTS, Inc. (NASDAQTSI) is a digital technology company dedicated to delivering the ultimate entertainment experience. DTS decoders are in virtually every major brand of 5.1-channel surround processors, and there are more than 300 million DTS-licensed consumer electronics products available worldwide. A pioneer in multi-channel audio, DTS technology is in home theatre, car audio, PC and game console products, as well as DVD-Video, Surround Music and DVD-ROM software. DTS audio products are featured on more than 24,000 motion picture screens worldwide. Additionally, DTS provides imaging technology and services for the motion picture industry. DTS Digital Images, formerly Lowry Digital Images, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DTS and an industry leader in image restoration and enhancement. Founded in 1993, DTS is headquartered in Agoura Hills, and has offices in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan and China. For further information, please visit www.dts.com.

Awesome. I'm glad DTS will be the de-facto format for the next gen DVDs.

 

[Chastity]

Be even nicer for new soundcards supporting 7.1 lossless digital output, and some receivers to use it.

 

[SilverMK3]

Its possible. It sounds like the new DTS-HD is backwards-compatible with standard DTS 5.1, DTS-ES 6.1 and DTS-NEO:6. I'd assume it wouldn't take much to expand DTS-Connect's functionality to include DTS-HD as well.

I hear DTS is absurdly expensive with its licensing fees though, so manufacturers might not be willing to jump on board unless there's a lot of demand.

 

[Moofasa~]

DTS-HD has been selected as an optional feature in both formats

But Dolby Digital True HD will be a required feature on at least HD-DVD. I think this would be a loss for DTS...

 

[Big Fat Duck]

DTS-HD? Sounds expensive.

 

[BBA]

Looks like an upgrade for me next year.

1080p huh...I like the sound of that too. (2048x1024 I think)

 

[truffle00]

Looks like an upgrade for me next year.

1080p huh...I like the sound of that too. (2048x1024 I think)

Or 1920x1080, but we can use numbers that aren't 1080 if you want...

 

[jebo_4jc]

sounds cool. didn't anticipate having to buy a new receiver to take full advantage of HD DVDs though.

I never knew DTS was a public co. this calls for further investigation.......