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Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117486 11/28/05 04:01 AM
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GregM Offline OP
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I have never taken much interest in the Dolby Digital vs DTS comparisons so many people get into as I have never had the same movie with both audio formats with which to make a reasonable comparison. Well tonight I watched War of the Worlds which has both audio tracks available. The difference was HUGE.

1) With DTS, I had to have my receiver turned down 10db to get about the same level. Why DTS is so much louder i don't know, but maybe that's just the way it is.

2) More importanly, the LFE were much more prominent in the DTS track. For those who have yet to see the movie, listen to the lightning strikes at 15 minutes 30 seconds into the movie. If you have an EP500 you'll probably break something. There is also a jet fly by at about an hour into the movie that also sounds much better in DTS.

I had always thought that the sound for a movie was mixed completely independent of the final delivery format. If that is the case, shouldn't both soundtracks sound about the same? I am not so puzzled by the playback volume level as I can adjust that on my receiver. But once I do that, the great variation in what I hear as opposed to the level I hear it at is what has me guessing.

Althought the LFE in this movie was at times overwhelming in DTS mode, I did prefer it for playback. Those of you who have seen this movie may have just pressed play and gotten Dolby. Try it again at least for the section from 15:30 to about 16:30. You won't believe the difference.

So does anyone know if soundtracks aren't just compressed for Dolby or DTS, but they may in fact me mixed differently?

Greg

Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117487 11/28/05 04:07 AM
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Greg,
I haven't seen WOTW yet but I do know that Gladiator is DTS and it is much louder than any 5.1 DD that I have. There is something about DTS that is better and more distinct, I believe. And you're right, it's not just louder but you hear sounds in DTS that aren't audible in DD.

Charlie

Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117488 11/28/05 07:50 AM
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axiomite
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We watched the movie for the first time on Friday evening and Saturday was the first complaint we've had regarding the system. Made me proud!

This is probably one of the only movies I remember watching that will put your system to work for not just a few scenes but for the entire length of the film! I always listen to movies in DTS, providing they are mixed in DTS, also whenever buying movies or concerts I have a habit of looking on the back of the DVD in the store to see whether or not it is mixed in DTS....that sometimes is a factor whether or not I buy the DVD, sometimes.


Rick
Our Room

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Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117489 11/28/05 11:40 AM
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Greg, check this thread, especially Alan's comments.


Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117490 11/28/05 03:16 PM
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GregM Offline OP
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I agree with most of what is posted, especially that DTS appears to be mixed differently. Maybe the higher bit rate accomodates a more aggressive mix that Dolby can't handle. If that is the case, then I guess I give the nod to DTS for overall sound quality. Alas, there were dropouts in WOTW. Glad to know that it was DTS that caused it. My older AT 262PBM subwooder really put out some bass in that movie. I can't imagine what an EP500 would do.

Greg

Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117491 11/28/05 05:31 PM
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Minute 25 of this movie had me leaping off the couch to re-secure the crystal. Guess I had let it move too close to the edge during 'drama' season and it wasn't prepared for 'action' season . . . a two-hour subwoofer showcase, for sure!

Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117492 11/28/05 06:01 PM
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" a two-hour subwoofer showcase, for sure!"

Yep....I've watched it once and listened to it three times now since Saturday.


LIFE IS SHORT.
DON'T BE A DICK.
Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117493 11/28/05 06:27 PM
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So....I read all the comments on DD vs DTS, and decided....

....on DD!

My sub is not exactly up to DTS standards

I'm running a 12" PE Titanic driver with a 270W plate amp in....a 1946 3/8" plywood box designed to house a 10" full-range driver in a 16mm film projector system. The box is also designed to be used.....open!!!

So I stuffed my new driver in there with an increase of power of about 26 to 1(over the old tube amp that came with the system)and sealed the box.

(note: the box has a net volume of 1.62 cu ft, and gives a Qtc of .707 with my new driver, a very good match)

I am extreemly familiar with the smell of the box as it is the first speaker I ever listened to and have fond memories going back into the 40s of watching movies on this system

While watching(and listening)to WOTW this morning, I had renewed memories of the old smells, as the driver converted itself into an air pump and evacuated a large percentage of the box at numerous parts of the DVD thru various parts of the overstressed ancient enclosure!!

I think it's time to put the nostalgic past behind me and get a better cabinet!!



Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117494 11/28/05 06:59 PM
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In reply to:

I think it's time to put the nostalgic past behind me and get a better cabinet!!



I hear the EP500 has a really nice cabinet.


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Dolby Digital-DTS: War of the Worlds
#117495 11/28/05 07:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
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B
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In reply to:

I hear the EP500 has a really nice cabinet.




and you should try one!!!!!



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