Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    MCF
    MCF is offline
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    225

    DTS vs. Digital 5.1 vs. THX Select Question

    What's the main difference between these three and which one is best to pick if given a choice on a DVD? I have a Harman Karkon AVR-635.
    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Suspended markw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Noo Joisey. Youse got a problem wit dat?
    Posts
    4,659

    Apples to oranges to watermelons comparison.

    DTS is a version of multi channel sound, similar in effect to Dolby Digital.

    "Digital 5.1" is a method of multi channel playback which included DTS and Dolby Digital.

    THX is a Lucas backed rating system whereby certain components can pay them for testing and, if the components pass, can use this on their literature. Many fine systems exist without THX certification.

  3. #3
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    6,826
    Quote Originally Posted by MCF
    What's the main difference between these three and which one is best to pick if given a choice on a DVD? I have a Harman Karkon AVR-635.
    Thanks!
    I usually choose Dts soundtracks if it is on the DVD.

    Dts and DD are film audio formats. THX is a certification process for equipment, and DVD mastering. THX also has proprietary processing modes to simulate the acoustics of a dubbing stage.
    Sir Terrence

    Titan Reference 3D 1080p projector
    200" SI Black Diamond II screen
    Oppo BDP-103D
    Datastat RS20I audio/video processor 12.4 audio setup
    9 Onkyo M-5099 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-510 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-508 power amp
    6 custom CAL amps for subs
    3 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid monitors
    18 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid surround/ceiling speakers
    2 custom 15" sealed FFEC servo subs
    4 custom 15" H-PAS FFEC servo subs
    THX Style Baffle wall

  4. #4
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025
    I can think of few instances where Dolby Digital sounded better than DTS, though there are a few that sound about equal to me, otherwise DTS is usually a fair step ahead.
    THX I just ignore, my receiver has some THX DSP settings or something, but they didn't sound anything special to me.

  5. #5
    Forum Regular paul_pci's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    1,246
    I always choose DTS. There have only been a couple times when I thought Dolby Digital and DTS sounded basically the same, but more than not DTS rules!

  6. #6
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Chicagoland area (Streamwood, IL)
    Posts
    489
    Are there many DTS DVDs out there? I see some here and there, but it looks like DD is more widespread.

  7. #7
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025
    Dolby Surround is the bare minimum standard on DVD's, I believe...Dolby Surround is a step down from Dolby Digital which is a true 5.1 source, this is pretty much a typical Hollywood standard for DVD's now, you'd be hard-up finding a DVD that made theaters not having a Dolby Digital track on it...Many DVD's also have DTS in addition to Dolby Digital (though not all). A few years back it was rare, now it's become quite popular...I don't know for sure, but I bet half of the films out there today have DTS at least.

  8. #8
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    6,826
    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Z
    Are there many DTS DVDs out there? I see some here and there, but it looks like DD is more widespread.
    Dolby Digital is required on DVD. It is the audio standard for the format. Dts is a optional format., and for an optional format it is on quite a few DVD's. In my collection of about 1200 DVD's, Dts is on a little more than half of them.
    Sir Terrence

    Titan Reference 3D 1080p projector
    200" SI Black Diamond II screen
    Oppo BDP-103D
    Datastat RS20I audio/video processor 12.4 audio setup
    9 Onkyo M-5099 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-510 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-508 power amp
    6 custom CAL amps for subs
    3 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid monitors
    18 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid surround/ceiling speakers
    2 custom 15" sealed FFEC servo subs
    4 custom 15" H-PAS FFEC servo subs
    THX Style Baffle wall

  9. #9
    only a newbie in name
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Madison, AL
    Posts
    41
    Quote Originally Posted by paul_pci
    I always choose DTS. There have only been a couple times when I thought Dolby Digital and DTS sounded basically the same, but more than not DTS rules!
    DTS is actually less compressed than Dolby Digital. This could explain why DTS sounds better...
    Cheers

  10. #10
    Forum Regular edtyct's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    1,370
    DTS is also often tilted up in volume relative to Dolby Digital as well, giving even more of an impression of better sound quality. DTS bass frequencies are sometimes more emphatic as well. Sir T, haven't DTS soundtracks been undergoing more compression for a while because of how much stuff is crammed on DVDs these days?

  11. #11
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    6,826
    Quote Originally Posted by edtyct
    DTS is also often tilted up in volume relative to Dolby Digital as well, giving even more of an impression of better sound quality. DTS bass frequencies are sometimes more emphatic as well. Sir T, haven't DTS soundtracks been undergoing more compression for a while because of how much stuff is crammed on DVDs these days?
    Actually Dts isn't tilted up in volume relative to DD, DD volume is usually attenuated by dialog normalization(the usual setting would be -27db or 3db lower than Dts), which Dts does not use on their soundtracks. So the fact is DD is softer than the printmaster and Dts.

    Dolby digital has a -225 degree lag(at 80hz) between the bass in the main channels, and what's in the LFE channel. This commonly makes DD bass sound boomy and indistinct at times. Dts has a lead of about +75 degrees at 80hz which is why it sounds tighter and deeper than the same bass from a DD soundtrack.

    Dts normal operating bitrate was 1509kbps. But at that bitrate and combined with the video and a required DD soundtrack(usually 5.1), leaves little to no room for added value content. In order to get Dts on more soundtracks, Dts had to cut that bitrate in half(754kbps) so it can fit on DVD along with DD"s 5.1 tracks and have room for extra's. An 8.1 compression is still better than the 14.1 compression you get with DD.

    I have to admit that the differences in sound quality has narrowed since Dts went half bit, but to these ears, in my room, and on my system Dts still sounds marginally better to me.
    Sir Terrence

    Titan Reference 3D 1080p projector
    200" SI Black Diamond II screen
    Oppo BDP-103D
    Datastat RS20I audio/video processor 12.4 audio setup
    9 Onkyo M-5099 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-510 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-508 power amp
    6 custom CAL amps for subs
    3 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid monitors
    18 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid surround/ceiling speakers
    2 custom 15" sealed FFEC servo subs
    4 custom 15" H-PAS FFEC servo subs
    THX Style Baffle wall

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. digital to coax Converter
    By mtbdudex in forum Digital Domain & Computer Audio
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-30-2005, 05:16 PM
  2. PC to Receiver: Digital Interface Question
    By rokybird in forum Digital Domain & Computer Audio
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-13-2005, 07:20 PM
  3. Problems with digital input to Yamaha RX-V1300
    By PmR in forum Home Theater/Video
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 02-07-2004, 08:11 PM
  4. Question about picture clarity on Samsung plasma?
    By acqui in forum Home Theater/Video
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-10-2004, 07:01 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •