The pain and pleasure of DTS

Matblack · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:08

I LOVE DTS soundtracks, they are possibly the best sound ever to grace the movie theatre, you can keep your DD and THX I'll take DTS every time. :cool:

But therein lies the issue, you can't have DTS every time, in fact unless you are a fan of asian cinema (luckily I am) DTS is as rare as the unicorn poop

I have never managed to work out why this is but its very very annoying.

Anyone else have a DTS fetish? What decent movies have you found in DTS and where do you get them (remember no competiors or hinting at them)

I need my DTS fix

MB

StixxUK · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:28

I can't tell the difference between different types of 5.1, it's all loud and the noises from behind you strike me as more of a distracting gimmick than anything else. TBH stereo through some reasonable size speakers is good enough for me!

Also, I can't afford a proper 5.1 system

rOAdeh · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:32

Technically SDDS is better than DTS iirc

and quite a few people agree that sometimes DTS is too 'in your face' and that the DD soundtrack is more natural. It's best to try both and see which you prefer imo.

However, the DTS intro pieces are very fun

semi-pro waster · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:36

Sorry for being dumb but what is so special about DTS? I watch quite a few films but they all get played through my hifi(just the two speakers) so I'd probably miss out anyway even if these different standards do make much of a difference.

Werewolf · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:39

IIRC DTS allows for a higher bitrate per channel, with the result that it can if done properly give a better range of sound than DD.

Matblack · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:41

I belive that DTS is less compressed than DD I remember hearing that somewhere.

I think the statement about not being able to afford a decent 5.1 system speaks volumes, I've heard 5.1 in cheap systems and its enough to put you off for life, however I have 5.1 using good size speaker and good amplification all round and DTS sound goes deaper and has better clarity than anything else I have heard.

I have a demo disc which has the same demos in both DTS and DD and the DTS version of the pod race scene is twice as good as the DD version, the LFE is better and the front soundstage is more consistant too :s

Shame you can't get the whole movies in DTS :/

MB

soundwave · 23 Feb 2006 at 15:52

Not sure which one's I prefer but one to avoid is the Underworld: Extended Edition DTS soundtrack.

The DD track is much better IMO

The rain for instance sounds really muddled on the DTS but the DD is lovely & clear with VERY distinct rumbles for the thunder.

I'm still going through my back catalogue of movies now I finally have my Surround Sound to re-discover movies (Which isnt helped by the fact that I keep buying new movies to watch

)

It's fantastic

Would be good to see a list made up of peoples recommendations as we go through, give me an idea of which one's to watch first

Neil

IceBus · 23 Feb 2006 at 17:06

I'm really looking forward to my KIll Bill 1 & 2 Japanese DTS discs showing up, at the minute the only DTS joy I've got is Iron Maiden's Rock In Rio and it's amazing soundstage wise.

GhostFace · 23 Feb 2006 at 17:07

I prefer DTS everytime. It's a major selling point for me.

I bought Band Of Brothers in region 1 just so I could have DTS (which is unbeliavable), I payed about £5 more for Saving Private Ryan for the DTS version. I've got Oldboy and Casshern in DTS and they both sound great, I'm tempted to buy Zatoichi again just to get the DTS version.

I think it is 'in your face' but thats what I like about it.

VaderDSL · 23 Feb 2006 at 17:07

I have poor ears and can't really tell unfortunately

although means I am always happy with sub standard off the shelf PC speaker units hehe

Big Kev · 23 Feb 2006 at 17:32

I can tell the difference and go for DTS every time and it is very annoying that it's not the norm now, as most receivers/players can handle it.

Saving Private Ryan in DTS is brilliant and I don't think it would sound anywhere near as good in 5.1.

I also like DTS cd's, Dark Side Of The Moon DTS is awesome.

Matblack · 23 Feb 2006 at 17:57

Big Kev said:
I can tell the difference and go for DTS every time and it is very annoying that it's not the norm now, as most receivers/players can handle it.

Saving Private Ryan in DTS is brilliant and I don't think it would sound anywhere near as good in 5.1.

I also like DTS cd's, Dark Side Of The Moon DTS is awesome.

For music I quite like SACD, I have DSotM in SACD and War of the Worlds and the 5.1 mix kicks arse

MB

stoofa · 23 Feb 2006 at 21:26

I really don't know the technical details behind all of the solutions.
I've got an Acoustic Solutions 5.1 setup on our TV downstairs and love surround sound.
To the point where I find it difficult to watch any film and not have 5.1.

Although I don't really no the main differences from what I've experienced and it is just that - my experience.
When I hit the "Start Film" option on the menu and I then get a THX "test" screen it just seems to fill our room better than any of the DTS, Dolby, etc "test" screens.
Just my opinion of course.

Matblack · 23 Feb 2006 at 22:22

stoofa said:
I really don't know the technical details behind all of the solutions.
I've got an Acoustic Solutions 5.1 setup on our TV downstairs and love surround sound.
To the point where I find it difficult to watch any film and not have 5.1.

Although I don't really no the main differences from what I've experienced and it is just that - my experience.
When I hit the "Start Film" option on the menu and I then get a THX "test" screen it just seems to fill our room better than any of the DTS, Dolby, etc "test" screens.
Just my opinion of course.

THX isn't a decoder like DD or DTS its a set of benchmarks that a piece of equipment needs to fulfil to qualify as THX quality, like a gold standard for purity. Being THX is George Lucas' version of 'by appointment to the Queen'

. What you are hearing is a well engineered piece of sound designed to get the most out of a THX system, it just happens to sound good on your set

.

THX is also like ISO9002 unless every link in your system is THX certified then your system is not THX, my sub is THX but my system isn't.

MB

stoofa · 24 Feb 2006 at 01:56

Matblack said:
THX isn't a decoder like DD or DTS its a set of benchmarks that a piece of equipment needs to fulfil to qualify as THX quality, like a gold standard for purity. Being THX is George Lucas' version of 'by appointment to the Queen' . What you are hearing is a well engineered piece of sound designed to get the most out of a THX system, it just happens to sound good on your set .

THX is also like ISO9002 unless every link in your system is THX certified then your system is not THX, my sub is THX but my system isn't.

MB

Thanks - that made good reading.
I think what I said shows how little I know about how everything works and what all of the standards are

If all of my equipment is THX certified I'm not sure - it certainly isn't the most expensive setup in the world but it does the job and you gotta love when the THX logo appears and the sound just resenates around the whole room and the poor cat sits there in the middle spinning her head almost 180 trying to work out what is going on.
There is also nothing like a lightsabre battle in full 5.1.....

darreny · 24 Feb 2006 at 08:06

DD won the battle for audio standard on DVD mainly because it took up less room on the disc in the days of single layer discs, which is why DTS is in most cases a secondary soundtrack, if its not then a DD version has to be available before or same day release and not after.

i got accepted to go on the THX training course at the skywalker ranch but alas a girl spoilt it for me

Matblack · 24 Feb 2006 at 08:52

darreny said:
i got accepted to go on the THX training course at the skywalker ranch but alas a girl spoilt it for me

Unless is was Princess Leia in a bikini then you have no excuse!

MB

Starzy · 24 Feb 2006 at 08:54

Watched Fightplan last night Region 1 / DTS Soundtrack. Sounded so good and defo worth a watch, when buying a DVD i always look to see if it has DTS on it.

Just wish series like 24 & Lost had DTS Soundtracks, Jack Bauer on DTS OMFG :eek:

Matblack · 24 Feb 2006 at 08:54

stoofa said:
Thanks - that made good reading.
I think what I said shows how little I know about how everything works and what all of the standards are
If all of my equipment is THX certified I'm not sure - it certainly isn't the most expensive setup in the world but it does the job and you gotta love when the THX logo appears and the sound just resenates around the whole room and the poor cat sits there in the middle spinning her head almost 180 trying to work out what is going on.
There is also nothing like a lightsabre battle in full 5.1.....

If your equipment hasn't got the THX running through it like a stick of rock then tbh its doubtful.

Just like ISO9002 it costs money to get the equipment certified, most manufacturers don't bother putting all the equipment through this process.

THX demos are cool though, my favorite being the ones with the little flying robot

MB

gib786 · 24 Feb 2006 at 10:11

StixxUK said:
I can't tell the difference between different types of 5.1, it's all loud and the noises from behind you strike me as more of a distracting gimmick than anything else. TBH stereo through some reasonable size speakers is good enough for me!

Also, I can't afford a proper 5.1 system