FAQs
SurCode™ Encoder for DTS-HD™ for Compressor
DTS-HD Master Audio is a lossless audio codec developed by DTS, Inc. What differentiates it from most other lossless audio technologies is that it consists of a "Core"+ Extension architecture, making it completely backward with legacy DTS components. This architecture also makes DTS-HD Master Audio the most bandwidth and file-size efficient lossless codec for Blu-ray Disc.
When playing a DTS-HD Master Audio track on one of these older "legacy" systems, easily identified by a SPDIF connection and DTS Digital Surround™ logo, the listener hears the "DTS Core". The output of the DTS Digital Surround "Core" at 48 kHz, 24 bit, and a max bit-rate of 1509 kbps is lossy, yet still retains all the audio nuances, dynamics, clarity, and impact that DTS is known for.
When playing the same DTS-HD track back on a DTS-HD Master Audio-compatible system, usually identified by an HDMI 1.3 connector and DTS-HD logo, the audio one hears is lossless, bit-for-bit identical to the studio master track. All other technologies produced by the SurCode Encoder for DTS-HD are lossy.
Technical comparison of DTS technologies for Blu-ray Disc™, DVD, and DTS Music Disc.
Dialog normalization (a.k.a. "dialnorm") is a system which is designed to level out average dialogue volume across different types of content. When dialnorm attenuation is enabled, the overall volume level of a piece of content is reduced by the selected level. -31 represents zero attenuation, and every number below that represents 1 dB in level reduction. For example, -27 refers to a 4dB volume reduction from the original program source. While dialnorm can be handy for leveling out value-added content on a Blu-ray Disc or DVD (for example featurettes, music videos, and deleted scenes that may not be mastered to the same average volume level as the main feature), it is DTS's strong recommendation that main feature content be left at zero attenuation, a.k.a -31 dialnorm.
SurCode for DTS-HD is an encoder plug-in for Apple® Compressor, and a decoder add-on for QuickTime®. The DTS-HD Master Audio Suite (MAS) consists of three stand-alone software applications: the DTS-HD Encoder, DTS-HD StreamPlayer, and DTS-HD StreamTools. MAS does not require a host software to run and is targeted at those creating more advanced BD features, such as seamless branching, picture-in-picture mixing, 96 kHz and 192 kHz MA encodes, and 7.1 channel encodes.
No upgrade path exists between these products.
This encoder plug-in is for Apple® Compressor only. The decoder add-on is for QuickTime® only.
While DTS-HD does support 7.1 channels of audio, the Apple® Compressor architecture is limited to 6.1 channels.
Not at this time. Compressor has enabled basic BD-burning, but does not currently include support for DTS-HD files. Please check the compatible .dtshd authoring systems list below for further assistance.
Sonic Scenarist, Sony Blu-Print, NetBlender DoStudio, CANVASs Sirius Blu.
Export your sequence as mono multi-channel AIFF files to import into the SurCode for DTS-HD encoder in Compressor. The Tutorials provide detailed, step-by-step directions.
Purchase is available via the web by clicking the "Purchase Now" button in the upper-right hand corner, or by contacting your local authorized reseller. For a list of local dealers, visit the Minnetonka Audio Software site.
No. At this time, each license is tied to your machine. Transfer is not possible.
A lossless DTS-HD Master Audio encode takes approximately 2x faster than real-time to complete. Lossy encodes are faster.
Although Compressor launches with a single empty batch in the Batch window, you can create as many batches as you need by opening new batches as tabs in the current Batch window. To create a new batch, choose File > New Batch.
Compressor also lets you save batches for use with later encoding jobs, or to more efficiently organize current jobs. To save a batch, make sure the Batch window is active, then choose File > Save. In the drop-down window, name the batch, navigate to the desired save location, and click Save. The batch name will appear in the current tab in the Batch window.
In Compressor, you can copy, cut, and paste both jobs and targets between all open batches. So, you can cut a job and its targets from one batch, click the tab of another batch, and paste the job and all its targets into that batch. This is useful, for example, when three of the four jobs in a batch are ready for encoding. You can cut and paste the job that is not yet ready into another batch and then submit the three batches that are ready for encoding.
Go to the Log panel and choose the desired destination location. Enter a name before starting the encode process. Once the encode is complete, the log will be viewable in the log panel and it will be output as a .log (text-based) file in the specified location.
All decoders have standard downmix coefficients that can be applied. Custom downmix coefficients can also be carried as metadata within the encode. If a stereo downmix is requested by the end-user device (e.g. TV with built-in speakers), the decoder will use this metadata to create the stereo downmix. If the encode is played back in a surround environment (e.g. AVR with 7.1 speakers), the downmix is not applied.
In these cases, Compressor will apply channel mappings that are beyond the control of the SurCode for DTS-HD plug-in. For example, if 6.1 PCM filesare loaded in Compressor, but the "2.0 - L, R" channel layout is selected in the SurCode plug-in, Compressor will downmix the 6.1 to 2.0, and the SurCode plug-in will encode only the 2.0 downmix. Similarly, if only a 1.0 (mono) PCM file is loaded, but the "2.0 - L, R" SurCode channel layout is selected, Compressor will split the 1.0 to 2.0, and SurCode will encode a 2.0 channel layout. Due to this functionality of Compressor, ensure that Compressor input files match the selected SurCode channel layout to avoid potentially undesired channel mapping.
SurCode™ Decoder for DTS-HD™ for QuickTime®
No. At this time, each license is tied to your machine. Transfer is not possible.
No, the audio is for standalone stream playback purposes only.
At this time only the Mac platform is supported. A Windows version will be part of a future release.
You must set up the multi-channel speaker configuration within Audio MIDI Setup. Verify the outputs are routed correctly in the properties drop-down for your multi-channel device in Audio MIDI Setup. The Tutorials section provides step-by-step instructions on how to set this up.
A professional Firewire 800, 400, or USB 2.0 based I/O box (for example Digi 003, Fireface 800, and similar).
No, the audio is for standalone stream playback purposes only.
Compatible Authoring Systems
Sonic Scenarist, Sony Blu-Print, NetBlender DoStudio, and CANVASs Sirius Blu all support .dtshd file import/pass-through. Adobe Encore CS4 can import .cpt files for Blu-ray disc authoring - please see note below.
No. Currently, Encore only supports DTS .cpt files. Please note that while Adobe Encore CS4 supports .cpt file import/pass-through, these encodes are not BD compliant for commercial product release.
DVD Studio Pro, Adobe Encore, Sonic Scenarist. For DTS Music Disc: Most CD Burning software, such as Nero and Roxio Toast.
Yes you can. DTS Digital Surround is the highest quality multichannel sound option for DVD! Note that, per the DVD spec, an additional stereo PCM or Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 track is also required.
DVD Studio Pro supports DTS Digital Surround, Digital Surround 96/24™, and DTS-ES 6.1™.
© 2010, DTS, Inc. "DTS" and the Symbol are registered trademarks and DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS Digital Surround, DTS Master Audio Suite, DTS Surround Audio Suite, DTS Digital Surround 96/24, and DTS-ES 6.1 and the logos are trademarks of DTS, Inc. All other marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
