What is a .dts file?
DTS Surround Audio · Audio · DTS, Inc. · 1993
A .dts file is DTS surround-sound audio, a rival to Dolby Digital found on DVDs, Blu-rays and in home cinema. It carries a multi-channel soundtrack, often 5.1, at higher bitrates than AC-3.
What is a .dts file used for?
DTS core streams begin with the sync word 7F FE 80 01. DTS is known for higher bitrates than Dolby Digital, and extensions like DTS-HD and DTS:X add lossless and object-based surround.
You usually find DTS inside a movie file rather than alone. VLC decodes it; convert to stereo for devices without surround support.
How to open a .dts file
The .dts format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .dts file.
Windows
- VLC
- foobar2000
- MPC-HC
macOS
- VLC
- IINA
Linux
- VLC
- ffmpeg
- mpv
How to convert a .dts file
You can convert a .dts file to wav, ac3, aac using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.dts file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .dts file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for DTS. For a full breakdown, see the DTS file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 7F FE 80 01 | 0 | core stream sync word |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .dts file?
A .dts file is DTS surround-sound audio, a rival to Dolby Digital found on DVDs, Blu-rays and in home cinema. It carries a multi-channel soundtrack, often 5.1, at higher bitrates than AC-3.
How do I open a .dts file?
Play it in VLC, which decodes DTS. For a stereo-only device, convert it to WAV or AAC first.
What is the difference between DTS and Dolby Digital?
Both are surround formats. DTS typically uses higher bitrates; Dolby Digital (AC-3) is more widely used on broadcast. Most home-cinema gear supports both.
Why is there a .dts file with my movie?
It is the surround-sound track, sometimes stored separately. A player pairs it with the video, or you can mux it back into the file.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: