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What is AU?

Sun AU is the native audio format for Sun Microsystems workstations, using simple mu-law encoding or uncompressed PCM.

What is DTS?

DTS (Digital Theater Systems) is a multi-channel surround sound format used in Blu-ray, DVDs, and movie theaters.

When Should You Use AU vs DTS?

Use AU When...

AU shines in legacy unix audio, sun workstation sound scenarios. The pixel-perfect output meets the demands of professional production environments.

Use DTS When...

Choose DTS for movie theater audio, blu-ray surround, home theater. It balances quality and file size better than most alternatives in its class.

AU vs DTS: Key Differences

  • •AU and DTS diverge on compression: lossless compression for the source, lossy compression for the target.
  • •Moving from AU (lossy) to DTS (lossy) means the output file will be significantly smaller — but at the cost of some visual fidelity.
  • •Alpha channel support: DTS lacks transparency support, so semi-transparent pixels from the source will be lost.
  • •AU files are typically Small to medium, similar to WAV while DTS files range Large for multi-channel audio
  • •Primary audience: AU is built for legacy unix audio, sun workstation sound scenarios, while DTS focuses on movie theater audio, blu-ray surround, home theater — pick the format that matches your output requirement.

Advantages of AU

  • ✓The lossless nature of AU means file sizes stay reasonable while handling Legacy Unix audio, Sun workstation sound efficiently.
  • ✓From mobile devices to enterprise servers, AU is recognized and supported everywhere.
  • ✓The trade-off for AU's perfection is larger files — but for archival work, it is worth every megabyte.
  • ✓AU is a first-class citizen in all major software ecosystems, from creative suites to development environments.

Advantages of DTS

  • ✓DTS compresses data using lossy methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Movie theater audio, Blu-ray surround, home theater.
  • ✓Industry-wide support means DTS files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
  • ✓Small file sizes make DTS ideal for email, web uploads, and cloud storage.
  • ✓From professional software to open-source alternatives, DTS works out of the box.

Common Use Cases for AU to DTS Conversion

  • Language learning
  • Professional broadcasting
  • Video game audio assets
  • Film soundtracks
  • Radio commercials
  • Guided meditation recordings

Industry Applications

Voice-overAudio ArchivingGame AudioFilm Post-productionAudiobook PublishingMusic Streaming

Best Practices for AU to DTS Conversion

  • →For AU to DTS: match the sample rate and bit depth to your delivery platform — 44.1 kHz / 16-bit is the standard for music
  • →Apply loudness normalization (LUFS) before conversion to ensure consistent volume across your audio library
  • →DTS prioritizes quality — ensure your storage can accommodate the resulting file sizes
  • →Check that metadata tags (artist, album, track number) survive the conversion
  • →Convert a short segment first to verify quality at your chosen bitrate
  • →Keep a lossless master copy in case you need to re-encode for a different platform

Related Article

Video Compression Guide: Reduce File Size Without Losing Quality

Learn more about AU and DTS formats in our detailed guide.

Troubleshooting AU to DTS Conversion

  • !DTS audio quality degraded vs AU → use a higher bitrate (at least 256 kbps for music)
  • !DTS file won't play on your device → check format compatibility with your player or platform
  • !Metadata (artist, album, title) lost after AU to DTS conversion → some formats like DTS may not support ID3 tags
  • !Volume changed after converting AU to DTS → normalize audio levels before conversion for consistent playback

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About AU and DTS

AU

AU (AU audio) - Sun AU, legacy Unix audio format for Sun workstations. Best for legacy unix audio, sun workstation sound.

DTS

DTS (DTS audio) - DTS, digital surround sound format for theaters and home audio. Ideal for movie theater audio, blu-ray surround, home theater.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossless → Lossy
TransparencyN/A
Use CaseConvert from legacy unix audio, sun workstation sound to movie theater audio, blu-ray surround, home theater
File Size~Large for multi-channel audio after conversion

FAQs

Is converting AU to DTS free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of AU to DTS for files up to 100MB. No registration required.

How long does it take to convert AU to DTS?

Most AU to DTS conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is DTS best used for?

DTS is ideal for movie theater audio, blu-ray surround, home theater. DTS, digital surround sound format for theaters and home audio

Does converting AU to DTS lose quality?

Yes, converting AU to DTS uses lossy compression, which reduces file size by discarding some visual data. Set quality to 85-95% for a good balance of quality and file size.

What file size should I expect after converting AU to DTS?

DTS files are typically 50-80% smaller than AU files because DTS uses efficient lossy compression. The exact reduction depends on quality settings.

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