DTS:X vs Dolby Atmos: Which Format Do Movies Use?

What the format words mean on a listing

When a soundbar title says Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, it names the object-based audio formats the bar can decode. Both formats let a movie place sounds in a three-dimensional space, but the words on a listing tell you which one the bar supports, not which one you will hear.

Dolby Atmos is the format you will see most often on streaming services. DTS:X is more common on Ultra HD Blu-ray discs from certain studios. A soundbar that lists both formats gives you the widest choice of content.

The format on the disc or stream is fixed by the publisher. Your soundbar cannot convert one format into the other; it can only decode the one it supports. A bar that lists both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X will handle either type of content.

• Dolby Atmos: found on many streaming movies and TV shows, and on some discs.
• DTS:X: found mainly on physical discs, especially from studios that favor it.
• A listing may name one format, both, or neither. If neither is named, the bar still plays standard audio, just without the object-based effect.

Streaming vs. discs: where each format lives

Streaming services overwhelmingly use Dolby Atmos for their premium audio tracks. If you watch most of your movies through a streaming app, a bar with Dolby Atmos in the title covers the majority of what you will find. This is why the best Dolby Atmos soundbars guide is a good starting point for streamers.

Physical discs are more mixed. Ultra HD Blu-ray releases carry either Dolby Atmos or DTS:X depending on the studio. Some studios consistently choose DTS:X for their disc releases, so if you buy or rent discs, a bar that supports both formats is the safer match. The best premium soundbar guide often lists bars with both formats.

The format on the disc or stream is fixed by the publisher. Your soundbar cannot convert one format into the other; it can only decode the one it supports. A bar that lists both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X will handle either type of content.

What you need to hear either format

To get the Dolby Atmos or DTS:X track from a movie, the audio has to reach the soundbar in the right form. That usually means an HDMI connection with eARC, because the enhanced audio return channel can carry the object-based formats from your TV to the bar. The HDMI 2.2 specification notes that eARC supports the most advanced audio formats and highest audio quality.

If your TV only has an optical output, it cannot carry Dolby Atmos or DTS:X from streaming apps or discs. The bar will still play the movie's standard audio, but the object-based track will not pass through. Check the ports on your TV before you buy, and read the connection terms on the soundbar listing. The best HDMI ARC soundbars guide explains the connection options.

For disc players, a direct HDMI connection from the player to the soundbar is another way to get the format to the bar. The listing will say whether the bar has HDMI inputs. If it does not, the disc player must connect to the TV, and the TV must send the audio back to the bar over eARC.

Matching the bar to your content

Before you choose a soundbar, think about where your movies come from. If you stream most of the time, a bar with Dolby Atmos in the title is the direct match. If you buy Ultra HD Blu-rays, check which format your favorite studios use and look for a bar that lists that format, or one that lists both.

A bar that lists both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is the most flexible choice for a mixed library of streaming and discs. The listing will state both words if the bar supports both. If only one is named, the bar decodes that one format.

The channel layout on the listing, such as 5.1.2, tells you how many speakers the bar has for the height and surround channels. The format words tell you which object-based audio it can decode. Both matter for matching the bar to your content. For a complete setup, consider the best soundbar with rear speakers guide.

What the catalogue cannot tell you

The catalogue lists the format words and the connection terms, but it does not say which streaming services or specific discs carry which format. That information changes and is not part of a soundbar listing. You can check the audio specs on a disc's packaging or the streaming service's help pages.

The site also cannot say how a format will sound in your room. The effect depends on the bar's speaker layout, your room's shape, and the content itself. The listing terms tell you what the bar can decode, not how it will perform.

For volume-related questions, follow the guidance in your soundbar's manual. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders provides information on hearing health if you want to learn more. The best soundbar guide can help you compare models on stated details.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Do streaming services use DTS:X?

Streaming services overwhelmingly use Dolby Atmos for their premium audio tracks. DTS:X appears mainly on physical discs, so if you stream most content, a Dolby Atmos bar covers the majority of what you will find.

Can a soundbar convert DTS:X to Dolby Atmos?

No. A soundbar decodes the format it supports. If the listing names only Dolby Atmos, it will not decode a DTS:X track. A bar that lists both formats handles both types of content.

Do I need eARC to get Dolby Atmos or DTS:X from my TV?

Yes, for most setups. The enhanced audio return channel can carry object-based formats from your TV to the soundbar. Optical cannot carry these formats, so check your TV's ports before buying.

What if my soundbar listing names neither format?

The bar will still play standard audio from your TV, but it will not decode object-based Dolby Atmos or DTS:X tracks. If you want those formats, look for the words in the title.