Receiving a TV Signal with Dolby Audio
To learn more about the services and programming that offer Dolby surround sound in your area, check with your local provider. If Dolby surround sound is available, you can receive it as part of your TV signal via any of the methods described below. You may be able to use your current equipment, or it may be necessary to upgrade. To learn more about the services and programming available with Dolby surround sound in your area, click here.
Basic (analog) cable
Millions of consumers worldwide receive basic cable from their cable operators. Basic cable is transmitted in analog, but you can still enjoy surround sound if you have an A/V receiver with Dolby Pro Logic II® or Pro Logic IIx connected to your TV. Although these technologies do not provide the same superior audio that Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus enables, Pro Logic II and Pro Logic IIx expand stereo content to create a simulated surround experience that enhances all programming.
Digital cable
Digital cable offers consumers higher-quality digital content, more channels, and the possibility of two-way services such as video-on-demand and interactive program guides. If the digital broadcast is in HD, and you have an HDTV set and HD receiver, you'll get the full benefit of the HD experience.
Cable companies worldwide include Dolby Digital sound technology in their set-top box equipment; inclusion is mandatory in North America. Find out more information about which services and channels in your area offer Dolby Digital audio.
Satellite
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) or direct-to-home (DTH) systems are other options for receiving multichannel broadcast programming. DBS and DTH typically offer both digital and HD programming.
In Europe and Asia, multichannel Dolby Digital audio is an optional standard for DTH. In the United States, both DBS systems (DirecTV® and Dish Network™) provide programming in Dolby Digital audio.
IPTV
Internet protocol television (IPTV) is the most rapidly growing TV platform. Customers receive it through a closed broadband network typically provided by a phone company or ISP. IPTV offers an array of features for the consumer, including more interactivity and video-on-demand.
Many IPTV operators are offering Dolby Digital to their consumers, providing them with a compelling surround sound experience over their broadband connections.
Terrestrial
Terrestrial TV is broadcast through the air and received via an antenna. Traditionally, terrestrial TV has been an analog transmission with stereo sound, but now many countries are moving to digital terrestrial transmissions, which give viewers more channels to watch and enable some broadcasters to offer Dolby Digital surround sound.
At the basic level, most digital terrestrial set-top boxes offer two-channel analog outputs. These outputs can be connected to an A/V receiver with Dolby Pro Logic II or Pro Logic IIx to expand stereo content into surround sound.
Digital terrestrial transmissions require users to purchase a set-top box, which includes a S/PDIF or HDMI™ connection to pass Dolby Digital data to an A/V reciever.
Learn more about the broadcast services with Dolby audio available in your area.
Find out how to connect your set-top box to your home theater.
Find out what equipment is required to set up a home theater system.
