What is the maximum number of audio channels in a single digital television audio bitstream?

The correct answer is based on the standard configurations commonly used in digital television audio. A 5.1 audio channel configuration consists of six separate audio channels: five channels for traditional surround sound (left front, center front, right front, left surround, right surround) and one low-frequency effects channel (subwoofer). This configuration is widely recognized and used in various media formats, including DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and digital television broadcasts.

While there are formats that support more channels, such as 7.1, which consists of eight channels, or even more complex systems, the 5.1 channel configuration is typically regarded as the standard for many television broadcasts and consumer audio setups. This makes it the maximum cited configuration for a straightforward digital television audio bitstream, as it aligns with the common practices and equipment compatibility in the industry.

Other choices, while plausible in certain contexts, do not represent the most universally recognized maximum for standard digital television broadcasts. Thus, the 5.1 configuration stands out as the most relevant and acknowledged answer in this scenario.