What is a key benefit of using the Dolby AC-3 standard in audio systems?

The use of the Dolby AC-3 standard, also known as Dolby Digital, is primarily advantageous because it substantially reduces the amount of digital information required to represent audio data without sacrificing sound quality. This compression technique allows for the efficient encoding of multichannel audio, enabling high-quality sound in a format suitable for transmission and storage.

Dolby AC-3 achieves this reduction through lossy compression, which eliminates audio data that is less perceptible to human hearing while preserving the overall audio experience. This means that less bandwidth is needed for streaming or broadcasting audio, making it particularly useful in environments like television broadcasting, DVD and Blu-Ray audio, and online streaming services. Consequently, users can enjoy a rich audio experience even in limited bandwidth scenarios, which can be critical for maintaining quality in various distribution mediums.