What digital audio compression format in Direct TV? (1 Viewer)

[Manuel Parrado]

I know most programs in Direct TV are not 5.1 (except many movies on Pay Per View).

However, I would like to know if Direct TV uses AC-3 (Dolby Digital) compression similar to DVD for all audio, regardless of the amount of discrete channels.

Regards

 

[Steve Owen]

No, I don't believe they do. Even some Dolby Digital programming is not 5.1 even though its still Dolby Digital. I think the rest of it is 2-channel compressed, but I'm not sure about the format. Receivers with digital output send either Dolby Digital or PCM depending on the program.

-Steve

 

[Manuel Parrado]

Thanks Steve.

Anyone has an idea of what's the regular audio compression format?

The Direct TV site is no help at all.

 

[Jeff Kleist]

Probably MPEG audio, converted to PCM in your box

PCM takes up as much as a DTS track in the bitstream

 

[Adam Barratt]

DSS generally uses MPEG1 for stereo audio, although I don't know the bit-rates used. Probably 192kbps or 256kbps (anyone?).

Adam

 

[Dan Joy]

I have noticed bit rates in the 350m range on DD 5.1(Gladiator, Titan AE). On my DA5ES you can turn the menu dial to get additional info on the screen(just noticed this other night and not in manual) like bit rate, bandwith, norm dialogue, and a whole bunch of stuff I don't understand. If I get time, I will try to write them all down!

 

[Wayne Bundrick]

The regular audio is MPEG-1 Layer II (MP3's older brother). The satellite receiver decodes it to PCM.