AC3 vs DTS mode?

[linuxking]

What is the difference between AC3 and DTS? I see DVD2SVCD selects the AC3 audio mode by default - even where there's a DTS option. Is DTS better? (maybe that's a poorly phrased question?) I have a 5.1 sound system.

Also, what does AC3 stand for?

Thanks.

[hoozdapimp]

Originally posted by linuxking
What is the difference between AC3 and DTS? I see DVD2SVCD selects the AC3 audio mode by default - even where there's a DTS option. Is DTS better? (maybe that's a poorly phrased question?) I have a 5.1 sound system.

This is because the freeware programs used to convert the audio to mp2 don't work with DTS (I think the DTS algorithm is much more abstract but don't quote me on this). There is much better support for working with AC3 audio.

Generally DTS is a better format but it doesn't really matter since you are compressing to mp2 format anyways (from 5.1 surround to 2 channel stereo), which is a lossy process.


Also, what does AC3 stand for?


AC3 stands for Audio Coding 3, which is the same exact thing as Dolby 5.1 and Dolby AC3 (just known by different names).

[markrb]

Orignially it was known as AC3, but the name didn't catch on and the higher ups at Dolby Labs felt they wanted their name in it so they changed it to Dolby Digital. My first DD reciever called it AC3, but soon after they changed the name.

As the boss said their is no DTS converter that I know of. You would loose most of the benifits anyway if you converted it to another format.


Mark

[digitalman]

I am having a hard time finding info on the benefits of DTS over AC3. Can someone post a link? Thanks.

[telemike]

DTS seems to be more popular in Asia. Dolby Digital is the standard for USA and I think Europe.

[hoozdapimp]

well the advantages of DTS over DD is that DTS uses 24 bits to encode the audio while DD only uses 16...obviously with 24 bits you get higher quality audio. the only problem is that it can take up to 3 times the space on the DVD...but I don't see what the fuss is about, SVCD's still use stereo sound, not surround sound (well at least 99.9% of them)...using DTS would be a huge waste of space when you're trying to compress the video