DTS vs Dolby on Soundbars for Broadcast TV

Dolby Digital in TV broadcasts

Dolby Digital, also known as AC-3, is the most common surround sound format used in television broadcasts. Over-the-air, cable, and satellite channels encode their audio in Dolby Digital to deliver 5.1-channel sound. When a soundbar listing mentions Dolby Digital, it means the soundbar can decode this format and play the surround channels as intended.

For a TV viewer, Dolby Digital support is the primary decoder you need. Most soundbars include it, but it is worth confirming on the listing or the maker's page. The connection that carries Dolby Digital from your TV to the soundbar is typically HDMI ARC or eARC, though optical (Toslink) can also carry Dolby Digital 5.1.

The difference between Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus matters for streaming, but for broadcast TV, standard Dolby Digital is the norm. If you want to understand more about these formats, see Dolby Digital vs Dolby Digital Plus.

DTS in TV broadcasts

DTS is a competing surround sound format that is rarely used in broadcast television. It appears on Blu-ray discs, some streaming services, and a small number of cable channels, but the vast majority of TV programming uses Dolby Digital. A soundbar that lists DTS decoding can handle DTS-encoded content, but for everyday TV watching this feature is not essential.

If you also watch Blu-ray movies or play video games that use DTS, a soundbar with DTS support becomes more relevant. For broadcast TV alone, DTS is a nice extra, not a requirement.

HDMI ARC and eARC for broadcast TV

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is the standard way to send audio from your TV to a soundbar through a single HDMI cable. It supports Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus. eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) adds support for lossless formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as the full Dolby Atmos implementation. For broadcast TV, eARC is not required, because broadcast audio is usually compressed Dolby Digital.

If your soundbar has an HDMI ARC port, you can connect it to any ARC-capable TV. eARC is backward compatible with ARC, so an eARC soundbar works with an ARC TV, but you will not get the extra bandwidth unless both devices support eARC. The HDMI specification explains these capabilities. Understanding the difference between ARC and eARC can help you check your TV's ports before buying. See ARC vs eARC and HDMI ARC bandwidth comparison.

Optical vs HDMI for TV audio

Optical (Toslink) can carry Dolby Digital 5.1, which is enough for most broadcast TV. However, it cannot carry Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X. If you only watch over-the-air channels, optical is a workable connection, but HDMI ARC is more convenient because it can also send audio from the TV's built-in apps and supports CEC control.

Bluetooth is another option for music from a phone, but it does not support surround formats. For TV, a wired connection via HDMI ARC or eARC is the preferred choice. To compare the two, read HDMI ARC vs Bluetooth and ARC vs Optical.

Channel layouts for broadcast TV

A soundbar's channel layout describes the number of speakers. For TV shows, a 2.0 soundbar can already improve dialogue clarity, while a 2.1 setup adds a subwoofer for bass. A 3.1 layout adds a center channel, which often helps with voices. If you want full surround sound, a 5.1 system with rear speakers and a subwoofer recreates the 5.1 Dolby Digital track from a broadcast.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X add height channels, but they are not used in broadcast TV. If you mostly watch live TV, you do not need height channels. For a simple TV setup, a 2.1 or 3.1 soundbar is a common choice. To understand the differences, see 2.0 vs 2.1 and 3.1 vs 5.1.

What soundbar listings say about Dolby and DTS

A soundbar listing may state "Dolby Digital" or "DTS" in the title or bullet points. These words tell you which audio formats the soundbar can decode. Some listings also mention "Dolby Atmos" or "DTS:X," which are object-based formats that add height channels. Broadcast TV does not use Atmos or DTS:X, so those features are for movie and streaming content.

When reading a listing, look for the connection terms as well. HDMI ARC or eARC is the preferred way to pass Dolby Digital from your TV to the soundbar. The HDMI specification supports audio return and advanced formats, as described on the HDMI Licensing Administrator site. Optical input can also carry Dolby Digital 5.1 but cannot carry Dolby Digital Plus or Atmos.

If a listing does not state a decoder, it may still play stereo audio. For surround, check the maker's page to confirm Dolby Digital support. To see which soundbars include these decoders, browse the best soundbar guide, or the best HDMI ARC soundbar guide for connection-focused picks.

Choosing a soundbar for broadcast TV

For a setup focused on broadcast TV, the key features are Dolby Digital decoding and an HDMI ARC or eARC port. A soundbar with these will automatically play the surround sound from your TV channels. You do not need a high-channel-count bar; a 2.1 or 3.1 soundbar with Dolby Digital can already improve dialogue clarity and add bass compared to your TV's speakers.

If you watch a mix of TV and streaming movies, consider a soundbar that also supports Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby Atmos. Those formats are common on Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services. The best soundbar guide compares models on stated details, including format support.

For a bedroom TV, a simple 2.0 soundbar may be enough. For a living room with a movie setup, you might want a 5.1 system with rear speakers. Browse the best 2.0 soundbar and best soundbar with rear speakers guides to narrow down the layout that fits your room.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Do I need DTS for TV?

No. Broadcast TV uses Dolby Digital, not DTS. DTS is found on Blu-ray discs and some streaming services, so it is only needed if you play that content.

What is Dolby Digital Plus?

Dolby Digital Plus is an enhanced version of Dolby Digital used by streaming services. It can carry more channels and higher bitrates. Many soundbars that support Dolby Digital also support Dolby Digital Plus.

Does my TV pass Dolby Digital via optical?

Yes, optical (Toslink) can carry Dolby Digital 5.1. However, it cannot carry Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X. For those formats, HDMI ARC or eARC is required.

What is HDMI eARC?

Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) is an HDMI feature that can carry lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as Dolby Atmos. It is backward compatible with ARC.

Can I use Bluetooth for TV audio?

Bluetooth can stream stereo audio from your TV to a soundbar, but it does not support surround formats like Dolby Digital. For surround sound, use HDMI ARC or optical.

What if my soundbar does not have Dolby Digital?

A soundbar without Dolby Digital decoding will still play stereo audio from your TV. You will not get surround sound, but dialogue and overall clarity may still improve.

Do I need height channels for TV?

No. Broadcast TV is encoded in Dolby Digital 5.1, which does not include height information. Height channels are used by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are found in movies and some streaming content.