Page 1 of Do you buy/wait for DVD`s from a certain region JUST `cause it`s DTS??

Somethings bugging Westy...

Just read this http://www2.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=154448 over at the DVD Forums, and thought to myself, "Why do people do this when the difference is either nil or simply miniscule!!?"

When people harped on about Monsters Inc having DTS on R2/R4 only, i really didn`t see what the fuss was about - the Dolby vesrion has no less punch or dynamic quality than DTS, and the DTS has no advantages over the Dolby mix, so why all the fuss?

I still conclude that, as each release comes and goes with a dual DD/DTS sound option, the more i feel that DTS are flogging a dead donkey. Honestly, i`ve now heard so many comparisons and so many views in DD`s favour that i truly believe that all the space used by DTS can be used for something else instead; better picture. If it`s at half bitrate, then in theory it will be WORSE than the FULL BITRATE 448KBPS Dolby track??

My latest DD vs DTS escapade was The Bourne Idendtity, Dolby mix blew the room to pieces, Dts mix absolutely identical, only guilty of a 4db volume lift, (thanks to my SPL meter!).

Don`t wanna go on as i`ve done all this before, but can`t people see the wool that`s being pulled over their eyes???

Opinions please!

(This is purely my opinion peeps, so no flaming! :-))

Westy

The fact that you`ve done tests and still can`t hear a difference is good enough reason for me.

I have to admit that Saving Private Ryan sounded better with DTS than the DD version, but today when you can get both versions on a single disc I don`t really go looking for DTS anymore.

One thing I can say that I really did notice a difference in is the Dreamworks mini-intro movie thing (on American Beauty DTS track, compared to the DD version) The sound of the water droplet splashing really does sound better than the standard DD one.

Castaway`s DTS track seemed to have more punch on the plane crash scene but this could be down to the increase in volume as you said.

Basically, on the older discs where it was only DTS you got as it was a special DTS version, I may have looked out for them, but with todays releases with both audio mixes on one disc there is little special about it so to be honest I don`t really look for it.

Still usually play the DTS track if it`s on the disc like :)

Yes

And I have to say, that whilst full bitrate DTS (such as R1 Saving Private Ryan) is a HUGE improvement over DD51, where there are both on the disc, the difference is not so big, although DTS offers a warmer sound.

I`d have to say though that the difference probably becomes smaller with higher quality equipment that gets the best out of DD51.

Chris

R1 SPR only has a half bitrate 754KBPS dts mix - i checked! The mix is a different master to the Dolby track so has a different `characteristic` to the DD track, though the Dolby 5.1 mix in itself is no slouch.

Have to agree on the higher quality equipment issue too, heard a Hraman Kardon 8500 reciever at 7Oaks and my lordy, the nightclub scene in Blade 2, (it has some immense drum n` bass going on), had my heart flapping big style. I came straight home and tested the Dolby vs DTS, again, no change in either format.

Question is, is 80% of it all physchological? If no-one had told you it was better in the first place, would you have noticed?...

The 20% of course, is the exceptions; Galaxy Quest, SPR, The Haunting, and Prince of Egypt. 5% each for all having superior mixes you can actually tell the difference. Listen to that tight bass as the commander fires up the engines in Galaxy Quest :-)



Westy

This item was edited on Monday, 20th January 2003, 19:27

Yes, but what about the Star Wars DTS ES tracks and the centre rear, that isn`t there on the DD5.1?

Isn`t that a reason to upgrade to 6.1/THX-EX?

Quote

"Yes, but what about the Star Wars DTS ES tracks and the centre rear, that isn`t there on the DD5.1?"

Sorry, did i miss Star Wars in dts? The Phantom Menace and ATOC both have awesome, reference quality Dolby Surround Ex audio with centre rear engagement.

Haven`t seen or heard any Star Wars DVD`s in DTS, not even the bootlegs

Westy

Westy, "(This is purely my opinion peeps, so no flaming! :-))"

Err...TW*T. Sorry could not help my self. It was like a red rag to a bull;-)

I don`t wait for a DTS version but if it has both I will tend to listen in DTS. I don`t know why.

So you have heard the Harman/Kardon 8500 then. When are you getting one? We had our first complaint about noise from the shop with the H/K 4500. I am converted. Praise be to H/K.

All the best,

The 42%er.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 21st January 2003, 09:51

HK, i salute you!

Yes Mr Bruce, the 8500 nearly took the clothes fabric from my body!! I have NEVER heard an amp - not even from Denon or the `usual suspects` - that even gets remotely as close to these mothers in terms of sheer sonic force. The size of the 8500 alone is imposing, i mean like, does it have to be so big!!?? Sadly, i can`t afford one as it`s a little pricey at £1800 list, plus i`d need an extra power amp for 7.1 so i may wait.

Andy, i`d like to hear your views on the 4500, as if it`s better than my current 5200, i can afford one of those!! You`ve got to love Logic 7, haven`t you? Clever as f***!Email me or reply here, haven`t heard from you in aaaages!

All the best mater

Westy

This may be a stupid question ....but how can you tell if the DTS soundtrack is full bitrate or not?

Gaz

Depends on whether your player has a bitrate meter or not :-)

If you have one, switch it on whilst the film is playing. The picture will be the fluctuating bar measured in MBPS, and the sound will be quoted as a figure in KBPS.

So, a Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack would weigh in at 192KBPS
...a 5.1 Dolby would weigh in at either 384KBPS, or full bitrate 484KBPS.

DTS comes in either 2.0 or 5.1 as above, and the very rare 2.0 mixes are usually 640KBPS or 754,
5.1 DTS comes in 754kbps,(halfbitrate - pretty much the norm these days), and 1509kbps full bitrate, which is becoming very rare now, sadly.

Hope this helps!

Westy