What is Dolby Digital and DTS in terms of digital sound?

Roughly speaking, Dolby Digital is the name of audio compression technologies developed by the Dolby Laboratories.

To put it clearly, it is an advanced form of digital audio coding that enables storing and transmitting of high-quality digital sound, far more efficiently than was previously possible.

The technology was originally named Dolby Stereo Digital. In the initial stage, it was used to provide digital sound in cinemas from 35mm film prints. Today, it is used for other applications too, such as TV broadcast, radio broadcast via satellite, DVDs, and game consoles.

The first film to use Dolby Digital technology was "Batman Returns" when it premiered in 1992. Since then, the technology has constantly proved to be a step forward in sonic realism and listener involvement. It has been able to change the way we experience films in theatres, and, is now doing the same for video programming at homes too.

DTS is the short form of "Dedicated to sound". It is a series of multi-channel audio technologies owned by the American company DTS, Inc. The latter has specialized in digital surround sound formats used for commercial, theatrical, and consumer grade applications.

Founded in 1993, DTS focuses on the development of surround sound audio technology like encoding, decoding, and processing works, used in both cinema and home theatre applications. It must be noted that DTS is not only a company name but also a label it uses to identify its group of surround sound audio technologies.

The 1993 megahit film "Jurassic Park", by Steven Spielberg was the first theatrical movie that employed DTS audio surround sound technology. And, the first home theatre application of DTS audio was the release of Jurassic Park on Laserdisc in the year 1997.

However, since its very start, DTS has played a very important role in the audio technology of films.