QandAs: Buzz

What is DTS?

Answer:
DTS or Digital Theater Systems, Inc.,

is a company that produces surround sound audio systems for both consumer and commercial applications and products.

DTS is also an audio format used in DVD players, some high-definition CD players, and even some home theater systems. The codec was designed in response to Steven Spielburg's demand for a higher-quality audio system for his movies. It has since been made available in DVD players to decode the DTS codec and output audio in 5.1 channel surround sound.

DTS and its closest rival Dolby Labs, Inc., are both manufacturers of surround sound systems; however, DTS resides on separate media, usually on a CD-ROM, whereas the AC-3 codec Dolby uses is on the same film that the movie is on. This feature means DTS can maintain higher bitrates and higher levels of sound quality for longer periods of time, as the film itself can be physically damaged by the sprockets and by time itself.