FAQ's (Technical)

A DTS digital playback system can place considerable demands on the amplifiers and speakers in your theater. Some of the factors that can effect the power requirements are speaker efficiency, room size, and room acoustics. The following is a guideline of minimum power requirements:

See the product manual for details. All product manuals are posted in the DTS Online TechCenter.

See the manual for the product you want to install. All product manuals are posted in the DTS Online TechCenter.

Yes. The DTS subwoofer output level ranges from 20 Hz to 80 Hz. You must observe your subwoofer's specifications to avoid damage to the speaker. If a subwoofer is driven below its cutoff frequency, its driver(s) may become unloaded. When unloaded, the voice coil can travel outside of the magnet's gap, thus overheating or causing mechanical damage to the speaker. A high pass filter should be installed on those speakers with high cutoff frequencies. Contact your speaker manufacturer for more information.

The DTS subwoofer signal is derived by filtering out the surround signals from 80 Hz and below. That signal is put on its own "subwoofer" output on DTS player. You may verify this while equalizing a room. Insert the DTS Setup disc into the player and play the subwoofer pink noise off the disc. Turn off the subwoofer speaker and look at the pattern on the RTA. You'll see a dramatic roll-off at 80 Hz. It is normal to hear DTS subwoofer pink noise, above 80 Hz, in the surrounds.

It depends on the model of cinema processor you are connecting to but most processors require an audio input signal of 300mV RMS.
DTS-6 / DTS-6D: Use the DS5 Setup disc and play track 2 (test tones).

DTS XD10 and DTS-CSS: Go into the menu to play the test tones. See manual for details.

DTS-6AD: See the manual and follow steps for A-chain and B-chain.

DTS XD10P: See the manual and follow steps for A-chain and B-chain.

Contact your DTS dealer to order one.

Instructions are located in TN-E550A in the DTS Online TechCenter, in the Technical Updates section.

The latest software version is given in the current issue of TechTalk. All issues are posted in the DTS Online TechCenter, in the Updates section.

Thread the film through the projector and count frames from the DTS reader's lens to the projector picture gate. Multiply that by 1.25 and subtract one. The result is your offset. Enter that number into your playback unit's offset setting. If you have a DTS-6 or DTS-6D, you will need to round the result off to the closest whole number in order to enter it in the player.

DTS movie discs made after June 1996 are programmed so they automatically default the cinema processor to the optical format present on the film. This is true for all DTS players, except the DTS-6.

The defaults on the DTS-6 are only A-type or SR-type which are selectable via jumpers on logic breakout boards (which are connected to the cinema processor).

DTS units will also pulse the cinema processor to NON-SYNC at the end of a feature film after playing in DTS Digital Sound.

Testing this function is done differently on each unit.

DTS-6 / DTS-6D: Use the DS5 Setup Disc and play track 20 (automation pulse test).

DTS XD10 and DTS-CSS: Go into the menu to play the automation test. See manual for details.

DTS-6AD: See the manual and follow steps in Section 9.

Dolby® CP50, CP100, CP200 Operation
When DTS switches to digital, the normal signal paths are interrupted and DTS sound will be inserted just prior to the Dolby® EQ cards, in effect taking over the cinema processor (CP200: Program automation optical default format to either "04" A-TYPE or "05" SR -- which ever the film requires). When DTS switches out of digital, the cinema processor is released to function as normal and default to the format previously selected.

Dolby® CP45, CP55, CP65, CP500, CP650 UltraStereo, and Smart Operation
DTS will automatically pulse the audio processor to the digital format when it sees valid timecode and first plays the DTS Digital Sound track. Whenever DTS drops out of digital, a pulse will be sent to switch the cinema processor back to the optical format. At show end, however, DTS will switch the cinema processor to NON-SYNC.

Dolby® DA10 / 20
DTS can be connected to the Dolby® SR-D system without affecting its performance. The DA20 connects to the appropriate DTS breakout board. When DTS is not playing, the DA10/20 output is routed through the breakout board to the cinema processor. When DTS is playing, the DA10/20 is switched out and the DTS Digital Sound track is sent to the cinema processor.

Dolby® SA10
DTS cinema processors such as the DTS-6AD and XD10P can connect its analog surround signals to the SA10 input. The SA10 unit will then take the left surround and right surround signals and decode them for left surround, back surround, and left surround channel output.

Sony SDDS
The DTS system does not affect, nor connect to, the SDDS™ system. HOW ABOUT OPERATES INDEPENDENTLY FROM?

For the DTS Timecode Reader Head, 35mm

• D614 - Standard Bracket
  For projectors: Century, Simplex, and Cinemeccanica with Kelmar bracket (below). Intended to fit between the projector and reel arm. We have produced the bracket with the American standard size hole to accommodate 2" center spacing 3/8 - 16 tap, that is utilized to mount the American made upper reel arms. Comes with the following hardware:

• D615 - DP70 Universal Bracket
  Used for American projectors with a penthouse. Comes with tap and drill bit 8-32, and the following hardware:

• D616 - AA2 bracket
  For Norelco AA projectors. Comes with the following hardware:

• D617 - DP75 Bracket
  Used to mount the DTS timecode reader head to the side of the projector. Comes with same hardware as the D614.
• D622 - Front Mount Bracket
  Used when installing multiple digital sound heads or when there is not room to lift the projector arm. Used with Dolby® SR-D® and Sony SDDS® reader heads.
• 5006-0001-00 Cinemeccanica Bracket / adapter plate
  For Cinemeccania projectors. Must be used with the D164 standard bracket for mounting the DTS timecode reader head. If the reel arm needs to be re-mounted, two plates are required.

Note: The Empirical Test Disc cannot be used with the XD10 unit, and has limited use in the DTS-6AD.

Insert the Empirical Disc into the player and remove all other discs. Tests #1 through #35 will play automatically. Before making a selection, write down the current OFFSET setting for future reference. For a specific test, wait for the announcement, then select the desired test number on the OFFSET rotary switches (located behind the player's front panel access cover). Be sure to write down the current offset setting before your selection is made and restore the setting for proper DTS movie playback. NOTE: *These test signals may cause serious damage to sound systems that are not properly designed to reproduce the extended dynamic range of a digitally-based sound storage system.

1. Empirical test section announcement
2. *Power handling test
3. Left level, set channel ID, pink noise @ 0 dB alternating with low level multi-tone
4. Center level set
5. Right level set
6. Right surround level set
7. Left surround level set
8. Male voice for speaker comparison
9. Female voice for speaker comparison
10. Dialog, front speaker balance
11. Music for speaker comparison
12. Pink noise, surround speaker balance
13. Music, front speaker balance
14. Digital silence
15. Left channel ID, -10 dB sweep, 0 dB sweep
16. Left surround channel ID, -10 dB sweep, 0 dB sweep
17. Center channel ID, -10 dB sweep, 0 dB sweep
18. Right surround channel ID, -10 dB sweep, 0dB sweep
19. Right channel ID, -10 dB sweep, 0 dB sweep
20. Room acoustics test: left surround, right surround, center
21. Left level sweep 400 Hz, -5 dB to +5 dB
22. Left surround sweep 400 Hz, -5 dB to +5 dB
23. Center level sweep 400 Hz, -5 dB to +5 dB
24. Right surround sweep 400 Hz, -5 dB to +5 dB
25. Right level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
26. Left level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
27. Left surround level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
28. Center level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
29. Right surround level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
30. Right level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
31. *Left explosion @ +10 dB, +20 dB
32. *Right level sweep 400 Hz, -10 dB to +20 dB
33. *Left surround explosion @ +10 dB, +20 dB
34. *Center explosion @ +10 dB, +20 dB
35. *Right explosion @ +10 dB, +20 dB
    You must dial in remaining programs listed below and not usable with the DTS-6AD:
36. 1 kHz @ reference level, all channels (250mV RMS)
37. Left pink noise @ reference level (85 dB SPL)
38. Left surround pink noise @ reference level (82 dB SPL)
39. Center pink noise @ reference level (85 dB SPL)
40. Right surround pink noise @ reference level (82 dB SPL)
41. Right pink noise @ reference level (85 dB SPL)
42. Sub bass pink noise @ reference level (88 dB SPL)
43. Left 1/3 octave pink sweep 25 Hz - 2 kHz, 1 second pause, sweep 2 kHz - 20 kHz
44. Left surround 1/3 octave pink sweep 125 Hz - 2 kHz, 1 second pause, sweep 2 kHz - 20 kHz
45. Center 1/3 octave pink sweep 25 Hz - 2 kHz, 1 second pause, sweep 2 kHz - 20 kHz
46. Right surround 1/3 octave pink sweep 125 Hz - 2 kHz, 1 second pause, sweep 2 kHz - 20 kHz
47. Right 1/3 octave pink sweep 25 Hz - 2 kHz, 1 second pause, sweep 2 kHz - 20 kHz
48. Sub Bass sweep 20 Hz 80 Hz
49. 5 channel pop test, channel number ID by number of pops
50. 4 seconds pink noise: left, center, right, left surround, right surround

NOTE: When finished doing the tests, be sure to return the OFFSET to the original setting before showing a feature.

It's always a good idea to stand in the theater and listen to the first few minutes of the movie. Listen to the sound level and general quality of the sound. The soundtrack should be in sync with the picture (wait for a dialogue scene), and played at a comfortable level. Even though every scene may not have surround material, do your best to listen for the surround speakers. Most opening musical sequences have surround information. Be sure the movie discs match the film you are playing. Feel free to contact DTS and ask for help.

• I have a DTS print but I don't have discs Contact your film distributor and ask for the disc(s).
• Volume too loud Turn down the main fader control on cinema processor.
• DTS player won't switch into digital sound
  • Verify movie discs of the film you are showing are loaded into the DTS player or are downloaded into the XD10 unit's contents.
  • Verify the film is threaded through the DTS reader and that the film has a timecode strip (located between picture and analog sound track). If no timecode (dots & dashes) strip is seen, call the film's distributor and request a DTS print.
  • If the unit does not switch to digital, verify the green LED on the reader head (on projector) is glowing brightly and steadily while the movie is running. If it blinks a lot, see TN-E689A in the DTS Online TechCenter.
  • If the LED is dark or blinking a lot, then check the reader for 4 Volts DC (see DTS Online TechCenter for the technical notice, TN-E550, on checking the reader).
• Switches in and out of DTS digital during the show
  • The sound should automatically default to analog when the DTS player does not see timecode for four seconds.
  • Verify the green LED on the DTS reader head is glowing brightly and steadily while the film is running. If it blinks, then see TN-E698 in the DTS Online TechCenter.
  • If the light on the drive(s) is on solid when film is playing, it means they cannot read disc: Try swapping discs. If the problem follows the disc, then the disc is bad and needs replacement. If the problem follows the drive, then the drive is bad and needs replacement.
  • If the drop-out occurs during the same place(s) in the movie, that indicates bad reels that need replacement. Call the film®s distributor and request replacement reels for those that are dropping out.
  • Do not put any sound format cues on film with timecode. If you need to add sound cues then add them before timecode starts of after it ends. If needed, add a few feet of black leader to the beginning of the feature (BEFORE timecode starts) and for placement of the sound cue.
  • Do not use leader with timecode elsewhere as it will cause a false start on the DTS player.

The DTS 70mm digital sound format generally functions the same as the DTS 35mm but with some important distinctions. Films released in the DTS 70mm format do not have the standard (analog 6-track sound) magnetic striping. The DTS timecode is written outside the sprocket holes where the 70mm track-two magnetic striping normally resides. This allows the usable picture area to be increased to fill the space used by the inner magnetic stripes. The size of the timecode on a DTS 70mm print is huge. At 30 mils wide, it is easily visible to the naked eye. Damage by normal scratches does not affect the reader's ability to scan timecode.

Since the frame size of each picture cell is larger than 35mm, the playback offset must be adjusted for proper play back sound synchronization.

Since the magnetic sound stripe is not on the film, DTS 70mm prints cannot use analog sound for backup. Instead, installing a second DTS player is recommended to ensure 100% fail-safe operation. If a malfunction occurs, the main DTS player uses its built-in default circuitry to automatically switch to the second unit. A DTS fail-safe board links the two players together.

For theaters already equipped with DTS 35mm system and setup for 70mm projection, the purchase of a DTS 70mm reader and bracket is required. The 70mm reader can be mounted onto the projector next to the DTS 35mm reader. If space is not available, an optional breakaway bracket and spacer can be used so either size reader can mount (one at a time) to the same bracket. Thumbscrews on the panels allow for easy change between DTS 35 / 70 mm readers.

Yes, you will need special DTS break-away plates to implement the procedure below.

1. Start by mounting the 70mm reader (with its breakaway plate attached) to the bracket. Use 70mm film to align reader. Once aligned, tighten bracket screws. Loosen the thumbscrew on the breakaway plate so that the 70mm reader detaches from the bracket.

2. Now attach the 35mm reader (with its breakaway plate attached) to the bracket. Use 35mm film to be sure the alignment path is correct -- no corrections should be necessary. The principle is to have one alignment for both readers so that no projector adjustments are needed when the readers are exchanged. Be aware, though, the (sound synchronization) offset setting on the DTS player will be different for 35mm as opposed to 70mm film.

Yes, we have 70mm fail safe kits for the DTS-6/-6D and XD10 units. Please contact DTS Customer Service for more information.

Contact DTS Customer Service for information.

The DTS XD10 Cinema Media Player is capable of networking. Please contact DTS Cinema Sales for more information.

It requires a DTS Cinema Server and DTS software package.

These are used to "unlock" installed options inside the XD10. An option key is included with all XD10 units that have an option installed. The option key is unique to the unit it was made for and cannot be used to unlocked options in another unit. Contact DTS Customer Service if you've lost the option key and need it to restore an option.

Using the unit's manual, go into the menu and select the type of captions you need. There are two types, front projected captions and rear display captions. Program COM1 for the configuration desired. See product manual for specific programming instructions.

Content is downloaded from disc to the XD10 or DTS-CSS hard drive. Simply load the disc into the unit and the contents will automatically download. Once the content is downloaded, remove the disc from the player. Neither the XD10 or DTS-CSS will play content off a disc. Content will be played from the hard drive when the DTS unit sees valid timecode that matches the material in the hard drive's contents.

It depends on the unit. Some units cannot have their settings copied. See the relevant product manual for details.

Special encoding equipment is required to encode a film into DTS for playback in a cinema. Payment of a license fee is required. Contact DTS Post Production for details, PostAgoura@dts.com.