Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Blu-Ray Players - What's the fav this holiday seas

You’re splitting hairs John. In the summery they do not say that there is no audible difference.

“That said, I could definitely pick out the difference between the lesser (or perhaps it’s more accurate to say “better”) compressed versions and the higher compressed versions. The difference is mostly in the presence, or ambience. The lossless, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution compressed tracks were just a little more open and airy. I hate to say it, but they just sounded more realistic and transparent. The 448 kbps Dolby Digital and standard DTS tracks were less so, a little more closed off. Between the 640 kbps Dolby Digital and the uncompressed, the difference was even less noticeable. Enough so that most people, even those trained to listen for it, probably won’t be able to hear the difference.
The core DTS call is a little harder, as there wasn’t the same blind system in place to A/B as precisely as at Dolby. Results were similar, though. So by all means go for the new codecs, as they definitely sound better than what was on DVD. Uncompressed PCM, on the other hand, is just a waste of space (though compatible with everything).
If you’ve been listening at home and are sure you can hear a difference on your favorite discs, be wary. There is absolutely no way to tell that compressed and uncompressed tracks on any disc have anything to do with each other. They could come from different masters, they could be mixed differently, or any number of other variables that makes an in-home test, unfortunately, impossible. That said, trust your ears, and go with the one that sounds best to you. –Geoffrey Morrison “

While I definitely agree that the BR – DTS core and DD steams are very good, and much better than standard DVD, the DD-TrueHD and DTS-HD-Master tracks are superior. I just recently picked up the BR version of Transformers. This disk has either DD True HD or DTS-M (I do not recall which). I also have the HD-DVD version of this movie, which has a DD+ audio track. I bought the BR version to compare the two because I just wasn’t all that impressed with the HD-DVD audio when I first watched the movie. I started both movies at the same time and I cycled between both. I would watch / listen to one for a spell, pause it then switch to the other. Time after time I found the BR version to be more dynamic and enveloping than the HD-DVD version. One could argue that the difference I note is purely subjective and just wishful thinking on my part, but I’m sticking to my evaluation and belief.

Some exclusive HD-DVDs just used the regular DVD version of the audio, while many of them, once released on Blu-Ray, included a higher bit rate audio track. Maybe it isn't all just wishful thinking.

I just got the Panasonic DMP-BD55 since it can decode the new formats and output them as 7.1 analog to my receiver. It arrives Friday !!!!

Congrats on the DB55...

That is why I can't wait to "get" my S550. All HD formats output on the 7.1 analogs... Of course, I've had mine for a couple of weeks now, but the box is still sealed up, sitting in our closet, waiting for Christmas... I envy you...

I would never be able to last until Christmas.

Me neither. I think I would start my own religion and declare xmas to be on Nov. 18 (so I would have 2 days to buy a few disks) to deal with the issue.

I've already read about some great deals on Black Friday for Blu-ray players and discs, Wallmart is rumored to be selling the Magnavox Blu-ray player for $128.00 and Radio Shack having Samsung's BD-P1500 player for $199.00. For those prices I'll consider getting a second player.

Quick question for you treyp. On Panasonic's website, it only says "DTS High Resolution" and not "Master Audio" Can the BD55 decode master audio? thanks

I've got to start checking out what the Black Friday deals are.... I'm really itching to buy the Pannie 55.

Maybe I'll unplug my for-SACD-and-DVD-A-only-Oppo to enjoy the better sound of Blu-Ray. THEN I'll need a new receiver to open up that capability of the 5.1 analog "ins" again....

I see Sears has a sell on a Sharp for $179. Not sure how good of a player it is though.