Soundbar Codecs: Which Ones Should You Check Before Buying?

What is a soundbar codec?

A codec is a format for encoding audio so it can be stored, transmitted, and decoded. Soundbars advertise support for several codecs, but the one that matters is the format your TV or source device sends through the connection. If the soundbar does not decode that format, you will hear stereo or nothing at all.

The four you will encounter most often are PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Atmos. Each serves a different purpose, and your decision should be based on the sources you use: streaming apps, physical discs, gaming consoles, or broadcast TV. Understanding the basics lets you avoid paying for support you will not use, or missing the one format your library depends on.

For most buyers, the rule is simple: every soundbar handles PCM, nearly all handle Dolby Digital and DTS, and Atmos support is a bonus that matters only if your content actually includes an Atmos track. Speakers, receivers and amplifiers for the rest of the room are compared at https://bestaudiohome.com as well. Check the spec sheet for the codec logos before you buy, then read our soundbar audio formats guide for a deeper comparison.

PCM: the baseline format

Pulse-Code Modulation, or PCM, is uncompressed digital audio. It is the format your TV uses when no other codec is involved, such as when a game console sends audio over HDMI in linear PCM mode. PCM can carry two channels or more, but a soundbar needs enough HDMI bandwidth to receive multichannel PCM.

Every soundbar accepts PCM over HDMI or optical. For stereo music and many older TV shows, PCM is perfectly fine. The limitations appear with surround sound: if you rely on PCM, the source device does the decoding, not the soundbar, and you may lose metadata for height effects. For gaming, PCM is often the best choice because it minimizes latency, as discussed in our PCM vs bitstream for gaming guide.

• All soundbars support PCM at minimum.
• PCM works well for stereo content and older sources.
• For surround formats, you typically need bitstream output instead.

Dolby Digital and DTS: the standard surround formats

Dolby Digital and DTS are lossy, compressed surround formats that have been the backbone of home theater for decades. They are found on DVDs, many Blu-rays, broadcast TV, and some streaming services. These codecs carry a discrete surround mix, usually five channels plus a subwoofer, though channel counts vary.

If your soundbar does not decode Dolby Digital or DTS, it will downmix the signal to stereo or reject it entirely. That is why virtually every soundbar includes both decoders. When you connect a DVD player or a streaming box and set the output to bitstream, the soundbar handles the decoding and reproduces the full surround field. The difference is obvious when you watch a movie with a dedicated surround track.

You do not need to overthink this: if the soundbar has a Dolby Digital or DTS logo, it will handle these formats. The more pressing question is whether you need the newer object-based formats. Our Dolby Digital vs DTS comparison explains the subtle differences, which rarely matter for most listeners.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: object-based audio

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X take surround sound a step further. Instead of assigning audio to fixed channels, they describe sounds as objects with a position in space, including height. A soundbar with upfiring drivers or a virtual height algorithm can reproduce those effects without physical ceiling speakers.

Atmos is delivered in two common forms: Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos, used by streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, and lossless Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, found on 4K Blu-rays. DTS:X similarly comes as a lossy or lossless stream. To get the full benefit, your soundbar must support the exact codec carrying the Atmos or DTS:X track, and your TV must be able to pass it through HDMI.

For streaming, Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos can travel over standard HDMI ARC, but for lossless TrueHD you need eARC or a direct connection to the soundbar. If you only stream, a soundbar with Atmos support and ARC is enough. For disc enthusiasts, eARC is essential. Learn the difference in our HDMI ARC vs eARC guide and see which Atmos soundbars fit your setup in our best Dolby Atmos soundbars guide.

How to check which codecs your soundbar supports

Start with the soundbar's spec sheet, either online or on the box. Look for a list of supported audio formats. Most manufacturers print Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, DTS, and DTS:X logos. If a format is missing, the soundbar cannot decode it without a firmware update, and even then it may not support the full feature set.

Next, check the physical connections. Dolby Digital and DTS work over optical and HDMI ARC. Dolby Atmos over DD+ also works over ARC, but lossless Atmos requires eARC or a direct HDMI input on the soundbar. The HDMI specification defines these audio return channels; the latest version adds more bandwidth for advanced formats, as explained in our HDMI connections guide. If your soundbar has only an optical input, you are limited to Dolby Digital and DTS, not Atmos.

Finally, consider your TV. The TV must be able to pass the codec from its internal apps or external devices to the soundbar. Many TVs transcode or downmix if they do not support the format. Our soundbar TV compatibility guide walks you through the pairing, and our HDMI ARC soundbars guide lists models that handle the common codecs properly.

Which codecs matter for your use

Streaming services overwhelmingly use Dolby Digital Plus, often with Atmos on premium titles. A soundbar with basic Dolby Digital support will still play the audio, but you will miss the height effects. For streaming, Dolby Digital Plus and Atmos support are the ones to check.

Physical disc players output Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, which are lossless. If you own a collection of 4K Blu-rays, your soundbar should decode these or at least accept them via eARC. Without eARC, the TV may force a lossy version, so budgeting for a soundbar with eARC is worth it. Our Dolby TrueHD vs DTS-HD Master Audio guide explains the difference.

Gaming consoles and PCs can output PCM, Dolby Digital, or Atmos depending on the game and settings. For competitive play, PCM often gives the lowest latency. For cinematic games, Atmos adds immersion. If you game, check that your soundbar supports the format your console chooses; our soundbar for gaming setup guide covers this.

Broadcast TV rarely uses more than Dolby Digital, and older content may only be in stereo. If most of your viewing is news or talk shows, any soundbar will suffice. The key is to match the codec support to the content you actually watch, not to chase every logo on the box.

What to pick

For the majority of buyers, a soundbar with PCM, Dolby Digital, and DTS support is the floor. Adding Dolby Atmos is worthwhile if you watch a lot of streaming or 4K discs, and eARC becomes necessary for lossless Atmos. DTS:X is rarer but useful if you have a large DTS library.

Use the table below to match your habits to a soundbar tier. Then browse our guides for specific recommendations based on your budget and room size. A soundbar does not need to decode every codec on earth, only the ones your sources actually send it.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does every soundbar support PCM?

Yes, all soundbars accept PCM over HDMI or optical. It is the universal fallback format, though multichannel PCM may require an HDMI connection with enough bandwidth.

Can a soundbar decode Dolby Atmos without eARC?

It can decode Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos, which is what streaming services use, over standard HDMI ARC. For lossless Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, you generally need eARC or a direct HDMI input on the soundbar.

Do I need DTS support on my soundbar?

Only if you watch DTS-encoded content, such as some Blu-rays or older DVDs. Most soundbars include DTS and DTS:X support, but if you never use those discs, it is not a critical feature.

Is it better to set my TV to PCM or bitstream?

It depends on the format. For surround and height effects, bitstream lets the soundbar decode the original codec. For stereo or gaming where latency matters, PCM is often preferable. Check your device's audio settings and the capabilities of your soundbar.