dts Digital Entertainment

The only digital audio format in our industry that is capable of delivering 6.1 channels of discrete audio on standard definition content is DTS-ES (the ES stands for Extended Surround). In addition to the standard 5.1 channels, it adds the capability of a fully discrete center surround channel, positioned between your left rear and right rear speakers.

AV receivers that are DTS-ES capable can decode material encoded in both DTS 6.1 Discrete and DTS 6.1 Matrix decoding, as well as DTS 5.1 content. Played back with a DTS-ES capable receiver and a 6.1-speaker layout, a movie encoded in DTS-ES will dramatically intensify the DTS surround effect. You’ll clearly hear sound effects — such as footsteps coming up behind you — along with other sounds that move front-to-back, and from side-to-side behind you. Even with an older DTS-capable receiver and a 5.1-channel speaker layout, you’ll still hear the center surround channel information; it will be “matrixed” or mixed in between the rear speakers. In either case, you’ll get the fuller, more realistic audio that comes with all DTS formats.