Bill Shankly Posted July 21, 2002 Posted July 21, 2002 I asked many experts (or so-called experts, ie. my friends), and none of them can really differentiate between AC-3 and DTS. Is that true? If so, what is the main thing that DTS has that AC-3 doesn't? Hope to find a satisfactory answer here before I go get a DTS-enabled AVR.
Guest duckling Posted July 21, 2002 Posted July 21, 2002 I guess if there are DTS version of the same DVD (assuming both DVDs with same amount of special feature), all the members here who are into HTS will take the one with DTS Soundtrack. I'd done a A/B Comparison of Final Fantasy - The Spirit Within, R1 Version (DD 5.1) and R2 Version (with DTS), the bass really blown me away. You can ask Gaolow (member of XP), he was with me. In the end, I sold off my R1 version and ordered the R2 version which cost me S$68 - more expensive than R1. What I suggest you can do is, borrow some DVDs from friends and do a comparison yourself.
xian Posted July 21, 2002 Posted July 21, 2002 Fully agree with duckling. I tried Pitch black R4 (DD5.1)and R1(DTS). The Bass Blew me away too!! DTS is way better than DD5.1 Will try my "DVD5" Behind Enemy Lines soon. Surprised that a D5 disc has DTS encoded!
tcw Posted July 21, 2002 Posted July 21, 2002 I asked many experts (or so-called experts, ie. my friends), and none of them can really differentiate between AC-3 and DTS. Is that true? If so, what is the main thing that DTS has that AC-3 doesn't? Hope to find a satisfactory answer here before I go get a DTS-enabled AVR. If you find an AVR without DTS, it is probably a very old set phased out at least two years ago. Regarding your question about DTS, the DTS track is audibly superior. We are talking about original DVDs. One caution, there are D9s which encode their own DTS tracks which are sometimes quite poor. Those are not representaive of the quality of DTS, and hece cannot be used to judge DTS in general.
dbchoong Posted July 22, 2002 Posted July 22, 2002 Agree... you must use original DVDs and not d5/d9. Most times DTS tracks are much better than DD(AC3). I have a couple of D9 with DTS (or so they claim) and those sound terrible. But all my original DVDs with DTS sound very good. I'm surprised why some say that they can't tell the difference. So, buy original !! ;D If you find an AVR without DTS, it is probably a very old set phased out at least two years ago. Regarding your question about DTS, the DTS track is audibly superior. We are talking about original DVDs. One caution, there are D9s which encode their own DTS tracks which are sometimes quite poor. Those are not representaive of the quality of DTS, and hece cannot be used to judge DTS in general.
Guest damnit Posted July 22, 2002 Posted July 22, 2002 tcw is absolutely rite ... the price for a DTS enabled amp is quite low nowadays ... so no point considering one that does not have DTS :)
Jag Posted July 22, 2002 Posted July 22, 2002 Long time ago, DTS was really good. People could hear the great difference. Today, DTS and DD is comparable. Quality difference is due to DTS's recent reduction in encoding bitrate. I believe most people still prefer DTS, despite their bitrate deduction by 50% in recent DVDs; since bitrate reduction would compromise sound quality. Generally, I feel that 754kbps DTS is almost identical to DD 448kbps. They may be slight difference, but the edge can go either way. Bass wise, DTS is stronger, although it may vary on the sound mixer's 5.1 masters. 754kbps DTS is not fantastic performer compared to 1508kbps. Its comparable to DD 448kbps. When comparing DD448kbps and DTS 1506kbps, the difference is great. Even DD admits full-rate DTS is good, although not openly. D5/D9 DTS is not a good comparison as pirates know DTS will add market value to their "products", even thou the DTS track is worse than DD. Monster Inc D5 is one such example. Bill Shankly, When u did AB shootouts with DTS and AC3, I bet u used those DVDs when both DTS and AC3 on the same disc rite? If so, I wouldn't be surprised that your "experts" could not differentiate. Try DTS vs AC-3 shootouts with DVDs that have separate versions for either DTS or AC-3. Eg. Saving Private Ryan. I'll be sure the "experts" can tell the diff straight away.
Jag Posted July 22, 2002 Posted July 22, 2002 Not forgetting, DTS and DD will sound different. Which is better is subject to the listener.
Bill Shankly Posted July 22, 2002 Author Posted July 22, 2002 Thanks everyone for the fruitful postings. Will go for a DTS amp anyway. Just want to know how good DTS is compared to DD5.1
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