DTS-HD MA Gets Even Better; Good News for Blu-ray

[whippersnapper]

http://www.live-pr.com/en/dts-r-demo...1048162944.htm

- DTS, Inc. Kristin Thomson, Director, Public Relations,........ At the 123rd AES Convention this year, DTS, Inc. (NASDAQTSI) will demonstrate the newly released version of the DTS-HD Master Audio Suite (MAS), the DTS-HD MAS V. 1.5, which officially shipped for Mac-Intel worldwide this fall. Exhibiting at Booth #354 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City October 5-9, 2007, DTS representatives will provide ongoing training at the booth for show attendees on the new capabilities of the DTS-HD MAS V.1.5.

One of the key new features of DTS-HD MAS V.1.5 includes support for secondary audio DTS Express encoding for Blu-ray Disc, which allows users to dynamically change volume of primary audio for use in picture-in-picture, director commentaries and other interactive features. These added functions support the new generation Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Disc players, which support simultaneous mixing of two audio streams.

Introduced at the 121st AES convention last year, the DTS-HD MAS is a complete software solution designed for the preparation of audio streams for next generation optical disc formats, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. It encodes bit streams in the following formats: DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES 6.1, DTS Digital Surround and DTS Express. The DTS-HD MAS is also applicable to DVD-V and Surround Music CDs.

"DTS is proud to support the creative community with such an advanced and flexible toolset for the next generation optical disc formats," said Brian Towne, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Division, at DTS. "Our goal for the DTS-HD Master Audio Suite is to continue to provide the best possible encoding capabilities to facilitate the highest quality content as equipment and technology evolves."

At AES, DTS will also showcase a 7.1-channel DTS-HD encoding and playback system as well as some of the latest next generation HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc consumer players from Toshiba and Samsung, connected to a DTS-HD Master Audio compatible A/V receiver.

In addition to the ongoing demonstrations and trainings at the DTS booth, DTS representatives will present the following tutorial: -0-
Tutorial T3 - "7.1 Mixes for Blu-ray and HD DVD: Workflow from Mix to Encode" Friday, October 5th 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Presenters: Ronny Katz, DTS, Inc. / Jeff Levison, DTS, Inc. Consultant/Levison Audio


About DTS-HD Master Audio(TM)

DTS-HD Master Audio delivers sound that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master. It can deliver audio at variable bit rates which are significantly higher than standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio can provide up to 7.1 audio channels at a 96k sampling frequency / 24-bit depth or 5.1 audio channels at 192 kHz that are identical to the original master. The DTS-HD Master Audio bit stream also contains the DTS 1.5 Mbps core for backwards compatibility with existing DTS-enabled home theater systems, and delivery of 5.1 channels of sound at twice the resolution found on most standard DVDs.

[CAB]

This looks very promising for the PiP audio being processed outside the player.

[lokus]

I don't recall, is this something that HD-DVD can do?

[bootman]

Originally Posted by lokus

I don't recall, is this something that HD-DVD can do?

Until we get real 1.1 players Blu doesn't do this either and all the 1st and 2nd gen players that can't be upgraded to 1.1 (not counting the ps3) won't be able to either.
Let see how those here that feel that pip (and in turn 1.1) isn't a big deal take this news.
Shrug it off I guess.

[Bombthroat]

Great news. Now, let's get more players that can either decode it internally or pass it via bitstream.

[daisuke149]

Originally Posted by Bombthroat

Great news. Now, let's get more players that can either decode it internally or pass it via bitstream.

hrmm quick q.

with this change.. will we need firmware upgrades to our receivers?

[frenchglen]

Yeah, I just want great sound and great picture, but it's nice to have these features anyway. And it should please the studios, I suppose it's them who's pushing this PiP stuff (so they can "sell" it to the consumers)

And I'm fully supportive of this format. I love DTS-HD MA. We just need all these new developments to be implemented quickly. Although the format's still in early adopter stage, (and still in format war stage, unfortunately), we need the hardware with these capabilities to be cranked out please.

E.g. the recent news about BD discs using organic dyes - that's a fantastic devleopment, but why didn't it come earlier, and it needs to happen asap to make sure BD doesn't lag in this format war.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by lokus

I don't recall, is this something that HD-DVD can do?

I read on AVpM$ that, today, the audio for HD DVD PiP has to be decoded within the player. It makes sense to me since I hadn't heard of a technology until this that could dynamically merge two audio streams. I think the separate volume is sweet! I wonder if my new 1.1 player will have two volume rockers. This is probably technology that both BD and HD DVD would like to use. I like having just a transport with the audio in a central processor than each component. I've found it makes tuning much simpler.

Wait, what am I saying? I'm never gonna watch extras anyway.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by CAB

I read on AVpM$ that, today, the audio for HD DVD PiP has to be decoded within the player. It makes sense to me since I hadn't heard of a technology until this that could dynamically merge two audio streams. I think the separate volume is sweet! I wonder if my new 1.1 player will have two volume rockers. This is probably technology that both BD and HD DVD would like to use. I like having just a transport with the audio in a central processor than each component. I've found it makes tuning much simpler.

Wait, what am I saying? I'm never gonna watch extras anyway.

....I'm never gonna watch extras anyway...

LOL Maybe you'll become a PiP "convert".

[daisuke149]

sorry to ask again but how will this affect receivers currently? or players? will firmwares be available for this or will it be only in newer products

[Sonny]

good more stuff before the old stuff is finished.......

[Sonny]

but good never the less lol......

[soapdishbandit]

Does this mean that DTS-HD MA can be converted to DTS 96/24 if your Receiver supports that???????

That would be awesome if it does!!!! I have a Yamaha RX-V3300 and it is a PRE-HDMI receiver. The one receiver BELOW the flagship *for the time* model RZ-1. The sound is VERY warm and envoloping and I have an SACD player that sounds phenominal. It supports DTS 96/24, too!!! How awesome would that be??? I love how DTS 96/24 can be transmitted via optical or coaxial digital output. This would also be a "work-around" for the PS3 not outputting the 1.3 Audio Bitstream. Heres hoping that happends.

[soapdishbandit]

No one know?