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Bitstream

A collection of data, as in video or audio data compressed to a file or transmitted between devices.

It is called a technology used in transmitting sound. Bitstream as known aa Bitstream Audio, Bitstream, Digital Bitstream, or Audio Bitstream.

A Bit Transfer is a bit of binary information (1's and 0's) that can be transferred from one device to another. Bitstreams are used in PC, network and audio applications.

For audio, a bitstream involves converting the audio into bits of digital information (1 and 0) and then transferring that information from a source device to a receiver and ultimately to your ears.

For example, PCM and High Definition audio are sound samples that use bitstreams to transfer digital audio signals.

In home theater applications, a bitstream is more narrowly defined as a method of transferring encoded audio signals of certain surround sound formats from a source to a compatible home theater receiver or AV preamp/processor/Power amplifier combination.

The home theater receiver or AV processor detects the encoded surround format sent to it. The receiver or AV processor then proceeds to decode the information based on the instructions provided in the bitstream signal, adds any additional post-processing and finally converts it to analog format so it can be powered and sent to speakers so you can hear it.

The bitstream process starts with the creator and/or sound engineer/mixer. For the data stream to work, the creator/sound engineer decides which surround sound format to use for a particular sound recording or live broadcast. The creator (sound engineer, mixer) continues to encode the audio as digital bits in the format chosen according to the rules of the format.

Once this process is complete, the bits are then embedded into a Disc (DVD, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray), cable or satellite service, streaming source or even a live TV transmission.

Examples of surround sound formats that use the bitstream transfer process include Dolby Digital, EX, Plus, TrueHD, Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS HD-Master Audio, and DTS:X.