Posted Tue Jun 6, 2017 at 01:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
The new tech aims to deliver immersive sound without the need for height or surround speakers.
DTS has announced a summer launch for its Virtual:X audio technology. The first DTS Virtual:X-ready products will begin hitting the market in July, starting with Yamaha's YAS-207 sound bar.
"Our mission at DTS is to make the world sound better and deliver premium audio solutions to our partners and consumers," said Joanna Skrdlant, general manager, home audio at Xperi. "With the introduction of DTS Virtual:X technology, listeners can enjoy height and surround sound with simply a sound bar, making it more accessible and affordable than ever to experience the benefits of immersive audio at home."
DTS Virtual:X is a new post-processing virtualization technology that can create an immersive audio experience without the need for ceiling speakers, upward firing drivers, or surround speakers. The process can support all input sources from stereo to a 7.1.4 layout, along with optimization for DTS codecs, including DTS:X. Likewise, the tech offers upmixing capabilities for legacy content. Virtual:X provides Virtual Height, Virtual Surround, Bass Enhancement, and Multiband Hard Limiter functions, and manufacturers can choose to use one or more features at the same time in their products.
With sound bars, like the upcoming Yamaha YAS-207, this means that the tech can simulate up to 7.1.4 content through traditional speakers in the horizontal plane. Beyond DTS Virtual:X, the YAS-207 features a wireless subwoofer, HDMI input and HDMI output (with ARC) to pass 4K high dynamic range (HDR) video at up to 60 frames per second, a Clear Voice function, and Stereo Bluetooth.
And in addition to sound bars, DTS Virtual:X tech will also be implemented into AV receivers this fall, and select TV models in early 2018.
The Yamaha YAS-207 is set to start shipping in July for an MSRP of $299.95. Initial units will ship with conventional virtual surround processing technology, but the DTS Virtual:X firmware update is expected to arrive in August. Likewise, by fall, new shipments of the sound bar will come preloaded with DTS Virtual:X.
Sources: DTS via PR Newswire, Yamaha
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