What Is DTS Neo:6?
Unlike DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Digital, which need to be encoded and present in the source material, DTS Neo:6 is a post-processing format. Therefore, it doesn’t need to be encoded in a specific manner so that it can be decoded to extract the correct channel assignments for the sound mix. Instead, DTS Neo:6 uses a special chip that’s built into most 5.1 or 7. 1 channel home theater receivers to analyze all the sonic cues of a non-encoded two-channel soundtrack mix (usually from an analog source). It then distributes the sound elements into a 6-channel home theater speaker setup as accurately as possible.
How Does DTS Neo:6 Work?
Normally, a DTS Neo:6 speaker setup includes six channels (left-front, center, right-front, left-surround, center-back, and right-surround) and a subwoofer. If you have a 5.1 channel speaker setup, the processor automatically folds the sixth channel (center-back) into the left and right surround speakers so that you don’t miss any sounds. If you have a 7.1 channel speaker setup, DTS Neo:6 treats the left-back and right-back channels as one, so the same sound information comes from both speakers.
DTS Neo Cinema and Music Modes
In addition to its channel distribution capabilities, DTS Neo:6 provides two sound listening modes: Music and Cinema. The Music mode provides a subdued surround effect that’s suitable for music. Cinema mode facilitates a pronounced surround effect that is suitable for movies.
DTS Neo:6 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc Players
DTS Neo:6 surround sound processing is also available on some DVD and Blu-ray Disc players. If this option is selected, a compatible DVD or Blu-ray player can post-process an audio signal from a DVD or CD internally into the DTS Neo:6 format. It can then send that signal to a home theater receiver without the receiver having to do any additional processing. To provide this option, the Blu-ray Disc player must have a set of multichannel analog audio outputs. The home theater receiver must have the corresponding set of multichannel analog inputs. To activate DTS Neo:6, look for that option in your home theater receiver, Blu-ray, or DVD player, and select either the Movie or Music mode.
DTS Neo:6 vs. Dolby Prologic II and IIx
DTS Neo:6 isn’t the only audio processing format that can extract a surround sound field from a two-channel source. Dolby Prologic II can expand a two-channel source into a 5.1 channel sound-field, and Dolby Prologic IIx can expand a two or 5.1 channel source to 7.1 channels. If your home theater receiver or Blu-ray Disc player includes a DTS Neo:6 or Dolby Prologic II/IIx sound processing options, check out all the options and see what you think. DTS Neo:6 and Dolby Prologic II/IIx can create an effective surround sound experience. However, these aren’t as accurate as a 5.1/7.1 channel Dolby Digital/DTS Digital Surround source that is designed to be decoded. Nonetheless, these formats allow you to listen to your old vinyl records or CDs in an expanded surround sound field. If you’re an audio purist, you may prefer listening to music in its natural two-channel form, but you can still enjoy your old VHS, TV, and DVD movies in surround sound.
