Dolby Digital Plus is Dolby’s name for E-AC-3, a lossy digital audio codec designed to deliver multichannel sound efficiently. It can support up to 7.1 discrete channels, but the channels in a particular program—and whether you hear them—depend on the content and compatible playback equipment.
What does Dolby Digital Plus mean?
Dolby Digital Plus is an evolution of Dolby Digital used to encode audio for delivery through services and media such as streaming, on-demand and downloaded content, broadcast, and Blu-ray. Its technical name is E-AC-3, short for Enhanced AC-3. Dolby Digital, by contrast, is AC-3. Dolby’s overview of Dolby Digital Plus describes the format and its intended applications.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The name describes a codec, not a guarantee that every show or movie contains the same number of channels or sounds a particular way. A Dolby Digital Plus track may carry up to 7.1 discrete channels when the program and playback chain support them.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Is Dolby Digital Plus the same as Dolby Digital?
No. They are related formats, but Dolby Digital Plus uses E-AC-3 while Dolby Digital uses AC-3. Dolby’s technical support article explains that E-AC-3 syntax is defined separately in Annex E of ETSI TS 102 366 and is not bitstream-backward-compatible with AC-3 decoders. A device that decodes AC-3 alone therefore cannot necessarily decode an E-AC-3 bitstream directly.
#1 Best Overall
- Beyond the basics - This 5.2-channel home theater AV receiver delivers standout performance and value with Dolby Atmos, 4K120/8K60 HDMI, Bluetooth Multipoint and effortless setup. Delivers 70W of authoritative power and flexible speaker layouts including 3.1.2-ch. with up-firing or in-ceiling heights.
- Step into lifelike sonic worlds - Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X for deeply dimensional, lifelike sound that draws you into every moment of your favorite entertainment, plus crystal-clear dialogue so you can hear every word.
- Stunning visual realism - Supports ultra-high definition 4K/120 and 8K/60 video, high-performance HDMI switching, advanced Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic range technologies, HDMI eARC/ARC and next-gen gaming features like ALLM and VRR.
- Room Correction - Experience perfect sound in any room. An included setup microphone measures your room’s acoustics and speaker characteristics, allowing the receiver to automatically optimize sound performance.
- Easy streaming with Bluetooth Multipoint - Stream all your favorite music, podcasts and audiobooks wirelessly. Built-in Bluetooth Multipoint lets you pair two source devices and instantly switch between them.
Dolby says content can be converted to a traditional Dolby Digital signal for equipment that supports Dolby Digital but not Dolby Digital Plus. In that case, Dolby describes 5.1-channel playback. Whether conversion occurs in a particular setup depends on the source device, its audio-output settings, the connection, and the receiving equipment; consult the manuals for the devices in your signal path.
Is Dolby Digital Plus lossless?
No. Dolby Digital Plus is lossy: encoding reduces audio data to make delivery more efficient. Dolby TrueHD is a lossless Dolby format. Lossy versus lossless describes how the audio is encoded; it does not by itself establish what a listener will hear in a particular room, with a particular mix, encode, and playback system.
Rank #2
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE 7-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER WITH NEXT-GEN MOVIE IMMERSION - Enjoy Denon sound in movies, games, and music with full 3D audio support, Dynamic HDR, QMS, HDCP 2.3 & advanced video processing for the best 4K home theater (8K ready when you are)
- ADVANCED 8K HDMI VIDEO SECTION - 3 dedicated 8K inputs and 1 output (8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz pass-through; 8K upscaling on all 6 inputs). Supports 4:4:4 Pure Color Sub Sampling, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision & HLG for exceptional color, contrast, and clarity
- MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AUDIO - In addition to Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X, the AVR-X1700H also supports Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology that creates virtual height effects even without the height channels for a truly immersive experience
- AWARD-WINING ON-SCREEN QUICK SETUP GUIDE walks you through simple, clear instructions to connect your TV, specify EQ settings and helps you optimize your surround sound. The back-panel is laid out with color-coded connections that makes organizing simple
- MULTI-ROOM, MULTI-SOURCE STREAMING, watch a movie in one room while another family member streams music from popular services like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music HD, and more via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, or Bluetooth in a different zone, without interruption
How many channels and what data rates can it support?
Dolby’s current overview lists a supported data-rate range of 32 kbps to 6 Mbps and identifies 384 kbps for discrete 7.1-channel surround. These are format capability figures, not promises about the bitrate of a given stream or recommendations for every use. Actual channel count and data rate depend on the encoded program and implementation.
A separate Dolby technical introductory paper gives higher maximum E-AC-3 bit rates for certain sample-rate and frame-block configurations. Its example table lists 6,144 kbps at 48 kHz with one block per frame. That is a codec-limit example in the paper, not a typical streaming bitrate.
Rank #3
- IMAX ENHANCED MODE: IMAX digitally re–mastered content for the home environment is created to provide the same sharp 4K HDR images and powerful sound just as the filmmaker intended.
- SMART HOME COMPATIBLE WITH VOICE CONTROL: The Onkyo TX–NR7100 9.2–Channel THX Certified AV Receive easily integrates into your existing Smart Home ecosystem.
- BI–DIRECTIONAL BLUETOOTH WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY: Stream from your device to the receiver using SBC or AAC codecs, or transmit audio playing through the AVR to compatible wireless headphones.
- THX CERTIFIED: The TX–NR7100 offers four distinct THX listening modes: cinema, gaming, music, and surround EX.
- SMART AV RECEIVER: Works with Sonos, Chromecast built–in, AirPlay 2, and DTS Play–Fi; includes Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Pandora, TIDAL, Deezer, and TuneIn streaming services
How does it compare with Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD?
| Format | Codec designation | Compression | Channel capability described by Dolby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolby Digital Plus | E-AC-3 | Lossy | Up to 7.1 channels |
| Dolby Digital | AC-3 | Lossy | Up to 5.1 channels |
| Dolby TrueHD | Not stated in the cited Dolby comparison | Lossless | Multichannel audio; a maximum channel count is not stated in the cited comparison |
The comparison reflects Dolby’s format overview, not a claim that one track will always sound better than another. The encode, channel mix, compatible devices, and listening conditions matter.
What does E-AC-3 mean on a TV or streaming device?
E-AC-3 is the technical format label for Dolby Digital Plus. If a TV, streaming device, or receiver displays E-AC-3, it is identifying the audio codec rather than naming a separate Dolby format. For standards-level detail, Dolby’s transport-stream overview, dated January 25, 2022, points to ETSI TS 102 366 and ATSC A/52B for AC-3 and E-AC-3 bitstream syntax. It cites ETSI TS 102 366 V1.3.1 (August 2014) and ATSC A/52B Revision B (December 17, 2012).
Rank #4
- 7.2-channel A/V Receiver (165 W 6 ohms, 1 kHz, 1ch THD 0.9%).Power Requirement : 120V 60Hz. Power Consumption : 240W.
- 8K & 4K/120 HDMI Connectivity with HDMI 2.1 support (6-in/2-out)
- Supports Dolby Atmos & DTS:X object-based sound decoding
- Immersive audio with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
- Supports today’s leading HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, and IMAX Enhanced.
Will Dolby Digital Plus work with your receiver or sound system?
Check the whole audio path rather than the receiver alone. Dolby Digital Plus is used with TVs, Blu-ray players, streaming devices, and A/V receivers, but support and output behavior vary by model and configuration. A receiver that supports only Dolby Digital may receive converted AC-3 instead of decoding E-AC-3 directly.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Look up the source device’s supported audio formats and output options.
- Check the receiver, soundbar, or TV manual for Dolby Digital Plus or E-AC-3 decoding support.
- Review the selected audio output mode and the capabilities of the connection between devices.
- If direct E-AC-3 decoding is unavailable, check whether the source can output converted Dolby Digital and what channel configuration that output supports.
Dolby’s compatibility statements describe the format’s conversion design, not a guarantee that every combination of devices will pass or convert audio in the same way. Verify the exact models and settings in their documentation before assuming a particular signal will work.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 210 W/Ch THX Certified Select Dynamic Audio Amplification system
- 5.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X playback
- 8K with HDMI 2.1 40Gbps (3 ins)
- THX Select Certification
- Discrete Zone 2 Audio and Video
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
