Home Video Asylum

TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more.

definitions

Dolby Digital 5.1 = 5 discrete channels plus an LFE/sub channel
DTS 5.1 = 5 discrete channels plus an LFE/sub channel

Dolby Digital-EX 5.1 = 5 discrete channels, a matrixed center surround channel and an LFE/sub channel
DTS-ES 5.1 = 5 discrete channels, a matrixed center surround channel and an LFE/sub channel *

DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete = 6 discrete channels and an LFE/sub channel

Sometimes DD-EX and DTS-ES are referred to as 6.1 systems, but that is not technically correct as there are not 6 discrete channels plus the LFE/sub channel (see above). The only real 6.1 system is DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete (L, R, C, LS, RS, CS, LFE/sub). Since there's no real clarity on the matter in many of the video magazines, you can see where all the confusion comes in.

As to the question "Do I need it?", I'd say "yes". Once you've heard the EX and ES soundtracks, you will find yourself wanting that CS channel. Add to this the fact that most processors and receivers with EX and ES capability can mimic this with regular 5.1 sountracks and... well, you get the picture. In the near future, more and more movies will be encoded with these processes. And where will that leave you? -- wanting. The real kicker is when you hear a DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete soundtrack (especially one like "The Haunting").

* I've seen the DTS-ES designation given as DTS-ES 6.1 Matrix to mean that the CS is derived from the LS and RS channels, as opposed to the DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete where the CS is a discrete channel. If you look at the back of the Terminator2 Special Edition DVD, it lists the DTS soundtracks as DTS 5.1 ES and Dolby Digital 5.1 EX.


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