DTS OK'd for Broadcasting
By Barry Willis November 24, 2002 — Soon, Dolby won't be the only option for surround-sound processing in digital television broadcasting. Digital Theater Systems (DTS) will also have a place in the format, thanks to a recent agreement with the Digital Video Broadcasting project. The DVB is a technical consortium of more than 300 companies, established to create common international specifications for the transition from analog to digital broadcasting.

Agoura Hills, CA–based DTS, the digital technology company specializing in multichannel audio for the cinema, pro audio, and consumer electronics industries, announced November 22 that the DVB project "has provided a mechanism for carrying the DTS digital surround sound format as part of its Digital Television (DTV) specifications." Accommodating DTS within the DTV broadcasts "offers greater options for surround sound quality for both broadcasters and consumers," the announcement stated. DTS surround is widely available as an option on commercial DVDs; its full-range-in-all-channels approach is favored by some home theater fans.

DTS technology will give broadcasters previously unavailable options, including scalable multichannel audio that might "equal or exceed DVD-quality sound." Peter MacAvock, executive director of the DVB project office, said his organization's goal is "to present the best alternatives for broadcasters to easily adopt DTV. We believe that the inclusion of DTS as an option for audio in DVB will give broadcasters and viewers more choice and flexibility."

DTS worked with the DVB project for two years to iron out the deal. DVB was "very supportive of DTS and our efforts in the broadcasting space,” said Jon Kirchner, president and CEO of DTS. "We look forward to actively participating in the DVB and the development of DTV worldwide."