What is the difference between thx and dolby digital

Dolby offers two different 7. Instead of using matrixing, it applies lossy compression to all of the discrete audio channels, which helps to take up less space on a Blu-ray disc. Dolby TrueHD, on the other hand, is lossless. Superior Audio Dolby Digital Plus features greatly improved sound, more channels, less compression, and a more realistic audio experience as compared to standard-definition audio formats.

At higher bit rates it is virtually indistinguishable from the source audio. You can also get virtual 6. Also worth noting is the support for DTS. While it's growing, it still isn't supported on all consumer grade receivers like Dolby Digital.

The format isn't true surround, but offers a virtual experience by splitting the signal between 5 or 6 speakers. Many claim that one format is better than the other when comparing DTS Neo:6 to Dolby Pro Logic II, but again, on most consumer-grade speakers, you aren't going to notice any difference.

They are, for all intents and purposes, the same unless you own premium equipment. Are you starting to see the trend here? Both remarkably similar in scope with the use of lossless compression, multi-channel audio support, and a big enough file size to make it only available on Blu-ray.

The difference? Well, since both are lossless, it's rather difficult to tell. Since Dolby and DTS aren't exactly willing to hand over proprietary information, and all information points to them being the same, then for now we'll just have to chalk it up to personal preference. THX according to their website aims to "set the highest standards for home theater audio and video equipment. Now, while THX is kind of the end-all-be-all of audio quality, it's typically only available on high-end receivers.

Unlike the other two, THX also isn't limited to audio. Video equipment can bear the THX certification as well. That just about wraps it up. So now, next time you're left staring at your receiver menu with a plethora with a feeling of confusion about which format does what, hopefully you'll refer back to the knowledge you gained today and make the correct choice.

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Share Share Tweet Email. This type of audio will be detected automatically by an AV receiver if it has an onboard decoder. Although it is still compressed, there is no audio quality loss from the original studio master tapes.

This will result in crisper high frequencies, deeper bass, and a more-defined surround effect on a good sound system. Unlike the previous four codecs, which are encoded on the disc, this is a processing format that takes a stereo audio signal and creates a virtual 5. Therefore it allows those with a 5. It also works on a Dolby Surround 4-channel signal. These different types have all been optimized to suit differences in the source audio.

It converts stereo or 5. This will only be available on receivers that support speaker setups greater than 5. The idea of Dolby Pro Logic IIz is to add two speakers above the usual front left and right speakers to create an even more realistic feel to certain sound effects — especially things like wind and rain.

The height speakers can be added to a 5. Obviously, the AV receiver will need to support these speaker configurations for this to be available. However, starting in , some Blu-ray disc releases started to appear with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. They are now more common on new releases, although not universal.

Dolby Atmos is the first codec released that was object-based — which means that a sound object can be placed in a more precise position in the sound field and is not tied to a particular channel. The simplest Dolby Atmos speaker setup requires an extra pair of front speakers that are raised much higher than those in a traditional 5. This allows the listener to experience sound that moves up and down — as well as left to right. This speaker setup, with two extra height speakers, is known as a 5.

The height speakers are denoted by the extra. The height speakers can be ceiling-mounted speakers or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers which fire the sound upwards. So, 34 surround sound speakers plus a subwoofer. Now, that would be quite some speaker system in your front room! This is an optional format, and you will currently only be able to play the Dolby Atmos soundtrack on your disc if your AV receiver supports it.

So, as long as your hardware supports TrueHD then you should be fine. Most AV receiver manufacturers are now releasing some models in their range that supports the decoding of Dolby Atmos. While Dolby Atmos soundtracks are often thought to be limited to only systems that support high-resolution audio formats, this is not the case. Dolby updated the specification to allow Dolby Atmos to be embedded with a Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack. Dolby Surround is an upmixing algorithm.

It will take a standard surround mix and create the extra channels that your system supports. So, if you have two or more height speakers installed on your AV receiver, then Dolby Surround will create channels for them from a 5. It will work on surround systems with extra surround, height, ceiling or up-firing speakers.

Or, upmix stereo into 5. Dolby Surround is just the more modern version and is much more advanced. It can recreate the placement of individual sound effects as well as height information. Not all AV receivers will come with this mode. So, check the specifications if you want this before you buy.

Also, depending on the model of receiver that you have, you may find that Dolby Surround is limited to certain types of soundtrack. The newer 3D audio technologies like Dolby Atmos are all very well, but they do require a bit of space in your room to install the extra speakers. Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology creates the effect of a Dolby Atmos soundtrack — but without the need for height speakers.

From a simple stereo setup — to 5. This technology adds filters to the soundtrack that will simulate sounds coming from overhead.