DTS And Coding Technologies Launch MPEG-4 Surround Sound Solution

[BGonaSTICK]

DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTSI) and Coding Technologies will stage the European launch of their 5.1 multi-channel audio transcoding system for HD broadcasting at IBC (RAI Amsterdam, 8-12 September 2006), with both companies demonstrating the unique advances of the system, in terms of bandwidth efficiency and perceived audio quality, at the DVB pavilion (Stand 1.481).

The DTS / Coding Technologies transcoding scheme is the product of a major strategic development initiative between the two companies, and integrates the unparalleled efficiencies of Coding Technologies’ MPEG-4 HE-AAC (aka aacPlus) development – an integral part of the MPEG open standard – with the high quality, transparent decoding of DTS’ Coherent Acoustics algorithm, running at 1.5 Mbps. aacPlus has proven its superior audio quality in many third party tests conducted by independent organisations, including the EBU (European Broadcast Union), MPEG (Moving Pictures Expert Group), and IRT (Institut für Rundfunktechnik). Specifically for 5.1 surround sound, 160 kbps aacPlus provides the same audio quality as 384 kbps transmissions of competing formats currently employed within ATSC and DVB architectures.

This gain in efficiency frees up significant amounts of transmission bandwidth, allowing broadcasters to enhance their transmissions with secondary audio channels (such as multi-lingual versions) or to significantly reduce transmission costs. When employed throughout the programme multiplexes, these efficiency savings have a dramatic impact – enabling the transmission of entire new video channels over the network bandwidth.

The DTS/Coding Technologies system offers a competitive, high quality end-to-end audio solution for digital broadcasting, incorporating the full application chain from contribution, through distribution to emission; broadcasters adopting aacPlus have immediate access to a consumer install base of over 50 million DTS-enabled systems worldwide. The complete range of products, from broadcast-grade multi-channel encoders, to transcoding chips for consumer set-top-boxes supporting SD and HD resolutions, will be available this year.

Commenting for DTS, Ted Laverty, Director of Global Broadcast Licensing, stated: “For broadcasters, this really does offer the best of all worlds: optimal transmission bandwidth usage, highest quality multi-channel surround sound, and complete compatibility with all DTS-enabled domestic receivers. Crucially for broadcasters, the business model is simple, with no introduction periods where revenues are restricted. From day one, broadcasters have access to a multi-million global viewing audience through DTS-enabled home theatre receivers.”

For Coding Technologies, Stefan Meltzer, Vice President of Business Development, commented: “HDTV has a bright future in Europe, with many new services being introduced throughout the region. For any broadcaster actively considering its HDTV business, our joint demonstration is a ‘must see’ or rather ‘must hear.’ This technology offers HDTV broadcasters revolutionary increases in efficiency. Furthermore, the technology is tried and tested, and millions of home theatre owners can enjoy the end product immediately at no extra cost.”

Throughout IBC, DTS and Coding Technologies will be demonstrating the quality of the transcoded aacPlus / DTS surround sound signal in conjunction with the DVB, featuring HD video material from BT’s This Binary Universe, the latest release on the DTS Entertainment music label.