Home theater enthusiasts have been eager to bring DTS:X audio into their homes since it was announced, and that is finally becoming a reality, with many recently released A/V receivers enabling the object-based surround sound via firmware updates coming this summer and fall. As for content, DTS and Paramount are working together to cover that front.
The two companies announced on Tuesday that they had entered an agreement that would see Paramount Home Media Distribution offering a number of Blu-ray titles with DTS:X audio. The first discs released will be the Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg comedy Daddy’s Home, the Tina Fey comedy-drama Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, The Big Short, and Zoolander No. 2 starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.
“DTS is constantly innovating in order to offer consumers the best entertainment experience possible,” said Bill Neighbors, general manager of digital media and streaming solutions at DTS Inc., in a statement. “DTS:X is our most recent, most advanced product offering, raising the bar for in-home entertainment. Consumers and content creators have higher expectations than ever and DTS:X will exceed the most demanding expectations.”
In addition to DTS:X audio, Daddy’s Home, The Big Short, Zoolander No. 2: The Magnum Edition, and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot will also include a DTS Headphone:X track available via digital download. DTS refers to as Headphone:X as “surround sound to go,” and doesn’t require special headphones — instead, the sound is digitally manipulated to sound as if it is coming from all around you.
Companies including Denon, Marantz, Sony, and Yamaha have already enabled DTS:X on select A/V receivers, while other companies like Onkyo and Pioneer plan to offer it soon via firmware updates. Many recent receivers offering the competing 3D surround sound technology Dolby Atmos will also support DTS:X, though when support will be added will vary between manufacturers.
