DTS announces DTS-HD Master Audio Suite and DTS Surround Audio Suite

DTS has announced the introduction of DTS-HD Master Audio Suite and the DTS Surround Audio Suite, two new software suites to prepare audio streams for next generation and current optical disc media formats.
Consisting of an encoder module, a StreamPlayer decoder, and StreamTools stream editing and verification tools, the suites are compatible with both Mac OS 10.4.x or Windows XP.
The new DTS-HD Master Audio Suite (MAS) will encode bit streams in the following formats: DTS Digital Surround, DTS-ES 6.1, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio, which is bit-for-bit identical to a master soundtrack. The MAS is applicable to DVD-V and Surround Music CDs, as well as the next generation HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats. It supports encoding HD DVD (HD) or Blu-ray Disc (BD) Primary or Main audio streams with up to 7.1 channels of audio at sampling rates of up to 192 kHz. The MAS also includes a low bit rate (LBR) encoder that will encode DTS audio streams for use as Sub or Secondary audio on HD /BD with bit rates optimized for Internet delivery. Streams that are encoded in DTS-HD Master Audio bit-for-bit format support downmixing from 7.1-channel to 5.1-channel, from 5.1-channel to stereo, and are also backwards compatible with existing DTS decoders.
Included in the suite, the StreamPlayer decoder can decode any DTS bit stream, and delivers audio to a PC’s sound card for confidence monitoring of encoded files. StreamPlayer will also have the ability to lock to timecode from an external source, and will be able to be used with a QuickTime movie track to verify visual lip-sync.
Encoding bit streams compatible with standard DVD-V and DTS Surround Music CDs, the DTS Surround Audio Suite (SAS) also includes StreamPlayer and can be upgraded to the DTS-HD Master Audio Suite with the purchase of an upgrade.
“DTS’ new software makes it easy for content creators and manufacturers to prepare any number of DTS audio streams in any format, ranging from low bit rate to the highest quality bit-for-bit multi-channel audio available today, and is compatible with both standard DVD-V and the next generation media,” said Brian Towne, Senior Vice President, Consumer / Pro Audio Division at DTS. “DTS’ new professional tools provide the flexibility necessary to meet the demands of a high definition future.”
The suggested retail prices of the suites are €1245 for the DTS-HD MAS, and €699 for the DTS SAS. Both products will begin shipping in Q3 2006.
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