Audio Video News

Dolby and DTS are both gearing up to take surround sound to the next step in its evolution. Both are preparing to add height channels to their existing surround standards.

As I reported in our CES 2009 coverage--which you should take a look at if you haven't already!--the two standard-setting outfits were contemplating slightly different approaches. Dolby would add two front height channels to its existing 5.1- and 7.1-channel surround standards, effectively turning them into 7.1- or 9.1-channel standards. It would also operate on stereo signals. DTS, on the other hand, would have height channels all around and add an extra sub channel, going from 7.1 channels to 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2 channels.

It's worth noting that neither Dolby or DTS is planning an encode/decode process, at least at first. Instead they would adapt existing 5.1 or 7.1 programming to produce the height channels, in much the same way that, say, Dolby Pro Logic II adapts stereo to surround. You can see it in the nomenclature: Dolby calls its new circuit Dolby Pro Logic IIz, suggesting that it's extension of DPLII and DPLIIx; and DTS is using the name Advanced Neo, referring back to Neo:6.

The grandparents of height-enhanced surround are Tomlinson Holman, the TH in THX, and Chris Kyriakakis of USC, who first demonstrated a 10.2-channel system in 1999.

For more information see the Dolby site for a DPLIIz primer and configurations.