OTA HDTV audio question.

[Brian Hill]

Do/will OTA HDTV signals have the ability to include a Dolby Digital (2.0 or 5.1) audio portion?

[Jimbob]

OTA HDTV has the capability for DD 5.1, some programs use it. :)

ABC13 in Houston transmits DD 5.1 even when it should be DD 2.0. Go figure...

[Chris Blount]

Dolby Digital is part of the HDTV spec so every OTA broadcast will have it in one form or another. Right now CBS does NOT have the ability to broadcast Dolby Digital 5.1. I think ABC does but I'm not sure.

[Brian Hill]

Thank you all for the info! It's a question I've had since I spent the money to step into home theater and have been contemplating an HDTV ready set. I imagine once the networks become experienced at broadcasting 5.1, they may start to take advantage during sporting events. Perhaps a coaches' mike each in the right and left front, commentators dominating in the center, and crowd noise in the rear. Perhaps that would be asking too much, but they certainly could do commentary in the front 3 and crowd noise in the rear. At least it might feel more like you were at the stadium. A guy can dream, can't he? :D

[Mark Lamutt]

CBS may be broadcasting DD 5.1 by the start of next season - CBS is upgrading their national broadcast equipment as we speak. ABC already sends the DD 5.1 feed.

[DarrellP]

All OTA digital stations are broadcasting in Dolby Digital (2.0 or 5.1). In my area, Portland, OR, only ABC is broadcasting in DD 5.1.