DTS-HD surround sound coming soon to mobile devices

By Ian White Published April 8, 2013

Streaming content to your Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet or iPhone 5 is about to become a lot cooler thanks to the folks at DTS. We’re big fans of watching films via Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, or Vudu on tablets and smartphones, but one of the biggest limitations has always been that surround sound encodes are bandwidth pigs. If we can watch 1080p streaming video on our portable devices, why can’t we listen in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 or Dolby TrueHD as well? Soon, we’ll be able to. With the launch of DTS-HD Layered Audio, online media services will now be able to offer adaptive bit-rate audio streaming from a single encode.

DTS-HD Layered Audio utilizes advanced features of the DTS-HD codec to create and efficiently store adaptive bit-rate audio streams from a single encode, allowing online media services to better accommodate the challenging network conditions of over-the-top (OTT) broadband video streaming. Some of the benefits of DTS-HD Layered Audio include adaptive bit-rate audio streaming at almost no additional cost from a single encode, a smaller storage footprint compared to traditional adaptive bit-rate audio solutions, and it eliminates the need to time align multiple encodes of the same track at various bit-rates; which is an issue with live streaming. Multiple encodes slow everything down.

Recommended Videos

DTS is launching this product with a number of partners, including Manzanita Systems and Unified Streaming. Manzanita is demonstrating DTS-HD Layered Audio at NAB 2013 with its new MP4 Multiplexer (MP4Mux v2.0), due to be released in May.

“Manzanita Systems is excited to incorporate DTS’ latest technology for enabling high efficiency adaptive bit-rate audio for our customers,” said CEO, Greg Vines. “DTS-HD Layered Audio allows services to stream using adaptive bit-rate audio at almost no additional storage cost over a single encode—a great benefit for today’s challenging network environments.”

Unified Streaming has implemented the new codec into its Unified Streaming Platform (USP) which allows them to deliver adaptive streaming to any screen or device from a single source.

What does this mean for consumers?

Watching streaming content now with more complex audio codecs; high-resolution audio and HD surround formats, will become a reality and take up a lot less bandwidth. DTS is clearly committed to pushing the envelope in regard to the streaming experience; both on the software and hardware end.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ian has been a full-time A/V journalist since 1999, covering the world of high-end audio, video, music, and film for Digital…

Audio / Video

GoldenEar Speakers joins Paradigm, MartinLogan, and Anthem

GoldenEar T66

After the news last month that Bose had acquired the McIntosh Group, we have another interesting shift in the premium audio world. PML Sound International -- the parent company of storied audio brands Paradigm, MartinLogan, and Anthem -- has welcomed GoldenEar Speakers into the fold. It was just under five years ago when it was announced that GoldenEar had been bought by The Quest Group, the owner of AudioQuest and DragonFly, upon the retirement of GoldenEar co-founder Sandy Gross.

Starting January 1, GoldenEar will be known as GoldenEar Studio Inc. PML has announced the operations will pause for the month of January to ensure a smooth transition. During that time, GoldenEar orders will not be processed or fulfilled, with operations resuming on February 3. PML has also assured that "existing warranties and service support will be honored, and they will continue to receive the same level of product quality and customer service when business resumes."

Audio / Video

Here’s how Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing assistance stacks up to professional results

Apple's hearing test in iOS 18.1.

Apple made waves when it announced that its AirPods Pro 2, when combined with iOS 18.1, could fulfill the role of OTC hearing aids. Given that OTC hearing aids can often run as much as $1,500, it seemed too good to be true that the same hearing benefits could be had for just $249 or less. Better yet, given the popularity of Apple's wireless earbuds, there's an excellent chance that those who could benefit already own them (if you live in a country where Apple's hearing aid feature has been approved).

So how good are the AirPods Pro 2 as OTC hearing aids?

Audio / Video

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the perfect stocking stuffer, and it’s on sale

A promo image of the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD.

If you’re struggling to come up with last-minute gift ideas, an Amazon Fire TV Stick makes for a great stocking stuffer, and it won’t break the bank. And while these streaming devices are pretty cheap, to begin with, the following offer makes buying one all the more appealing:

For a limited time, when you purchase the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K through Amazon or Best Buy, you’ll only pay $28. At full price, this model sells for $50. We tested this tried and true streamer all the way back in 2020, and reviewer Ryan Waniata said, “Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K offers killer features at a great price.”