Object-based surround format from DTS competing with Dolby Atmos via flexible 3D audio object positioning.
Technical Details
DTS:X operates with sampling rates of 48 kHz and 96 kHz at bit depths of 16 and 24 bits. The data rate varies between 768 kbit/s and 24.5 Mbit/s, depending on the configuration. The system uses MDA (Multi-Dimensional Audio) for object positioning and is backward compatible with DTS-HD Master Audio. DTS:X supports static and dynamic audio objects, with the latter able to change their position during playback. Decoding is renderer-based, allowing the system to be flexibly adapted to different speaker configurations.
History & Development
DTS Inc. announced DTS:X in April 2014 at NAB Show, with the first commercial implementation occurring in 2015. The first feature film with a DTS:X soundtrack was "Crimson Peak" (2015) by Guillermo del Toro. In 2016, it was introduced for the home cinema market with corresponding AV receivers. DTS developed the system as a direct response to Dolby Atmos, adopting the object-based audio concept. In 2018, DTS expanded the system with DTS:X Pro for professional applications, supporting up to 64 objects simultaneously.
Practical Application in Film
DTS:X enables precise positioning of sound effects, such as helicopters flying overhead or raindrops falling from above. "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015) utilized DTS:X for the spatial positioning of vehicle sounds. Production takes place in specialized mixing studios with DTS:X-enabled monitoring systems. Sound engineers can move objects in real-time within the 3D space and program their movement paths. The DTS Suite mastering software allows for the creation of final DTS:X masters for cinema and home cinema.
Comparison & Alternatives
DTS:X directly competes with Dolby Atmos, but offers a more open licensing structure and allows for post-production user adjustments of object positions via an app. While Dolby Atmos is the market leader in cinemas, DTS:X positions itself more strongly in the home cinema sector. Compared to traditional 5.1 or 7.1 systems, DTS:X offers significantly more precise spatial positioning. IMAX Enhanced integrates DTS:X as an audio component. Auro-3D from Auro Technologies follows a different, channel-based approach with vertical layers.