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APOLLO 13 -- DTS or DD version: which is better? (MERGED THREAD)

#91
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5/4/04 at 5:16am
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Classic Pictures' official site doesn't have a listing for it yet, but based on the other titles that they have, it's a documentary.
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#92
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5/4/04 at 7:07am
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I looked at that site, too, Thomas. But I'm not entirely sure it's the right "Classic Pictures", seeing as how that site is in the U.K., meaning they probably produce mainly Region 2 DVDs, and not R.1 items.

But -- Perhaps this disc from them will be Region-Free (although the Amazon page specifically says it's a "Region 1" release).

Beats me....

*shrugs*

EDIT -- Now that I look again, this company releases discs in both PAL and NTSC formats. So, that "Classic Pictures" site probably is the right one.
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#93
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5/4/04 at 7:38am
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I would love to compare the DTS and DD editions of Apollo 13 for myself. I own the DD version (only version I've seen)and I'm not so sure the DD has the better picture. What I do know is that the DTS version has a much higher video bitrate and also the DD version looks like crap! The DD version is edge enhancement city! Maybe the DTS appears softer because it doesn't have any (or reduced) edge enhancement. It could quite simply be just as detailed as the DD version (if not more). This is all speculation though.

There is no spoon...
but there is a fork with a cork!
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#94
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5/4/04 at 8:01am
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The DD version DEFINITELY has more detail --- there was a thread that had comparison shots. On any rate, I used to have both versions and sold the DTS. I recommend the CE for sure.
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#95
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5/4/04 at 8:04am
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To be honest, I have both version. I would agree that the Dolby's version is good for those extra features. But, I'm not a lover of extra features other than a movie trailer. Also remember, anyone on this or any other forum doesn't have the same setup as you, and they definitely doesn't have the same set of eyes as you. You may see and hear things that others don't. There are other threads out there were Bjorn has stated that Superbit shows an improvement over non-Superbit titles, but not everyone will see them. So, my point is this: if you want to upgrade to a DTS receiver or processor, go ahead and get the DTS version. It doesn't cost that much to get now. I remember seeing it somewhere for about $15 compared to when it first came out at $34. You may even find it cheaper. Try DVDempire.com, or DVDPlanet.com. This is one of the few discs that DTS actually did Quality Control for and it is in FULL-BIT DTS!! So, what you hear is exactly what you would have heard if you heard this in a theater with DTS; aside from a little compression 4:1 compared to Dolby's 12:1.

I say, Enjoy!! DTS in my opinion is better than the DD version. Others will agree and some will disagree.

RF
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#96
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5/4/04 at 8:45am
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The DD disc is worth getting for the excellent "Lost Moon" 58-minute documentary, if for no other reason. (But there's ample "other reason", to boot. It's a fine flick.)
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#97
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5/4/04 at 1:10pm
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Here are the two images I created for a previous Apollo 13 thread:



DTS and Dolby Digital image comparisons (152KB).

Adam
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#98
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5/4/04 at 1:25pm
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Adam. Would it be possible for you to post new screengrabs directly from the DVD that isn't scaled down? In other words, in their true resolution? Both versions.

Thanks a bunch!

There is no spoon...
but there is a fork with a cork!
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#99
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5/4/04 at 6:16pm
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I've got both the DD and DTS versions, and while the video on the DD is sharper, I also think it's grainer and more "digital" looking. I think the video on the DTS version is less sharp, but smoother and more "filmlike". Anyway, on my setup the DTS is clearly better sounding, but like David said, the extras on the DD version are worth the price alone. So basically buy both versions
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#100
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5/4/04 at 8:36pm
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One may be marginally better than the other, PQ wise, but the truth is, theyre both not without problems, and a new transfer should be done. Its just choosing between the lesser of evils at this point. That said, I have DD version. I had both, and could hear no major improvemnt with DTS. I am a DTS advocate, but this time, it just wasnt happening for me. Plus, the extras on the DD version are great.
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#101
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5/4/04 at 11:04pm
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Dwfinitely NOT WORTH IT. The DTS doesn't have the kick that other DTS titles have.
Gerardo
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#102
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5/4/04 at 11:12pm
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Magnus, the image is at its native resolution, just cropped (to save space on my poor server).

From a previous thread here are some additional figures:

Dolby Digital
combined soundtracks (448kbps x 3, 2 x 96kbps) = 1536kbps
Average title (2:19:35) bit-rate = 5.82Mbps
Average title bit-rate minus audio = 4.284Mbps

DTS
combined soundtracks (1509kbps x 1, 1 x 192kbps) = 1701kbps
Average title (2:19:35) bit-rate = 7.41Mbps
Average title bit-rate minus audio = 5.709Mbps

The DTS version is quite noticeably softer than the Dolby Digital version, but the colour balance is, in my opinion, better on the DTS version. The Dolby Digital version is very red. Neither is all that great by recent standards.

Adam
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#103
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5/5/04 at 4:54am
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Adam, just email me the screengrabs and I'll host them on my server with 1 GB storage space.

There is no spoon...
but there is a fork with a cork!
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#104
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7/28/08 at 7:06pm
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Re: APOLLO 13 -- DTS or DD version: which is better? (MERGED THREAD)

Bumping this thread after about 4 years....

I just ordered a used copy of the DTS Apollo 13 disc, and after reading the comments in this thread I have to ask one question, which depending on who even bothers to read this, may not be answered:

Everyone who chimed in with opinions on which is better - the CE or the DTS said basically the same thing, that they REPLACED one with the other.

Why?

All those remarks about replacing instead of supplementing the discs people had make no sense to me, especially considering the disappointment felt afterward. Where's the logic in outright replacing a disc when you want the extras on one and the sound on the other? I mean isn't it a win-win situation to just have both versions without getting rid of one? Not just Apollo 13, but well, any title?

I never bought the Anniversary version, and I won't be replacing my CE with the DTS when it arrives, because that makes no sense to me considering they aren't the same. If it were a case of one release having everything the original did and then some, then a replacement would make sense but Apollo 13 just isn't in that situation.
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#105
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7/29/08 at 4:14pm
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Re: APOLLO 13 -- DTS or DD version: which is better? (MERGED THREAD)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Martin
Bumping this thread after about 4 years....

Where's the logic in outright replacing a disc when you want the extras on one and the sound on the other?
Well, I can only speak for myself, but I wanted the extras on the DD one, so I replaced my dts one, since it didn't seem to have superior sound as far as I could hear on my equipment, so to me, this was a win-lose situation...

/Mikael

- "Do you indulge in any form of worship?"
-"Life. I love life, very much indeed."
David Bowie interviewed by Russell Harty, 1973

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#106
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7/30/08 at 3:19pm
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Re: APOLLO 13 -- DTS or DD version: which is better? (MERGED THREAD)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikael Soderholm
Well, I can only speak for myself, but I wanted the extras on the DD one, so I replaced my dts one, since it didn't seem to have superior sound as far as I could hear on my equipment, so to me, this was a win-lose situation...

But how is that any different from the average 2 disc set with the film on one disc and the extras on another? Some films (like the Anniversary version) have two versions of a film plus extras. Again, win-win to just keep them both.
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Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Downloads  ›  DVD (and Other Std-Def Software): Film and Documentary  ›  APOLLO 13 -- DTS or DD version: which is better? (MERGED THREAD)