With minimal presence in broadcast and streaming TV, DTS is making efforts to find a way into our TVs with a new 'Clear Dialogue' system.

DTS Clear Dialogue is designed to enhance speech clarity through AI-driven audio processing, according to the company. The system will be made available to TV makers as an on-device solution that can be licensed for future TV models.

- "When viewers can't hear the dialogue, it degrades the quality of their TV experience and turning on subtitles is a workaround, not a solution," said Geir Skaaden, chief products & services officer at Xperi, which owns DTS.


With adjustable user controls
DTS is far from the first to introduce dialog enhancement technology. In recent years, similar AI-based systems have been launched in TVs, with Samsung and Sony, for example, incorporating such features into 2024 models.

What differentiates DTS Clear Dialogue, according to the company, is its capability to function across multiple languages and content types. It also offers users the ability to adjust settings based on their personal preferences, as shown in the picture below.

- "To date, attempts to mitigate audio post-processing limitations don’t address the complex underlying problems across languages, content and environment, and can’t account for each viewer’s individuality. Our device-side AI-based audio processing solution will allow TV OEMs to provide their viewers with the ability to customize and personalize their audio experience," said Geir Skaaden.


 An example of how DTS Clear Dialogue can be implemented in a TV. Photo: Xperi

When? Where?
While unclear dialog remains a common issue in modern TVs and content delivery, it remains to be seen if DTS can solve the problem

First, DTS must convince TV makers to license the system. No partners were named and several TV makers already eschew DTS support due to DTS's limited presence in broadcast and streaming. For example, it was not until May of 2024 that Disney+ became the first major streaming service to offer DTS audio. The rest are firmly in Dolby-land.

It is also unclear if DTS Clear Dialogue will be compatible with all audio sources. On the other hand DTS said that it offers flexible integration options to let TV makers, for example, have a button on the remote control or use voice commands to adjust dialog enhancement.

Despite these challenges, DTS is optimistic about the potential and has hinted that it is already looking into expanding its solution beyond TVs.

- "And while our initial focus has been on TVs, we’re already looking at offering this solution to other device categories in the near future. Right now we’re excited that our SDK is readily available today and are working with relevant chip partners to make DTS Clear Dialogue available to all the television manufacturers, and their customers, out there and waiting," said DTS.