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04-12-2002, 03:56 PM
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#61 of 89 
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Member
Location: San Jose, Ca.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Local Time: 04:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 11,228
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First time Using DTS on my system and there is no sound when selecting DTS on a DVD. Dolby Digital and music are working though, why?
All three of these things MUST be present and configured for DTS playback:
1) Your receiver must be set to "Auto detect" or forced to DTS decoding.
2) In your DVD player's digital audio setup menu (NOT the menu on the DVD itself), you must ENABLE DTS. Dolby digital is on by default, and on 99.9% of players, DTS is NOT turned on from the factory. If there is an option for "bitstream" vs PCM, select bitstream.
3) Select the DTS track in the DVD's setup/language selection menu.
NOTE: Not having your DVD player setup correctly when selecting a DTS track may cause a "static" white noise that could damage your speakers.
"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain
HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB
Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX
Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans
My DVDs  My HT
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04-27-2002, 10:17 AM
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#62 of 89
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Member
Join Date: Jan 1999
Local Time: 06:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 9,593
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What the heck is a Laserdisc?
Laserdisc was a disc-based audio/video format that preceded DVD. The discs, which you've probably seen on TV or in movies at some point, were larger than DVD (12 inches across, the same size as LP record albums). They were usually silver, and looked a lot like a giant DVD or CD.
Laserdisc was similar to DVD in that it offered CD-like non-linear navigation (the ability to skip around quickly), high quality video and digital sound.
We have Laserdisc to thank for many of the great features of DVD. Laserdisc was the first home video format to offer:
1) Digital Sound
- Regular 2-channel stereo audio on laserdisc was uncompressed digital, just like CD- providing excellent audio fidelity... many people prefer uncompressed LD audio to 2-channel DVDs.
- Laserdisc was the first home video format to offer dolby digital 5.1 audio.
- Laserdisc was also the first home video format to offer DTS 5.1 audio (and all DTS laserdiscs were full bitrate, where DTS DVDs are often a half bitrate DTS format).
2) Special Editions & Extras
- Laserdisc was the first format with alternate soundtracks, allowing running audio commentaries.
- The image gallery and promotional stills gallery was also first popularized on laserdisc.
- Deleted scenes were first widely incorporated into "special edition" laseridscs.
- Pretty much the whole idea of a special edition or a collectors edition came directly from the laserdisc world, as it was mostly an appealing format for film collectors.
3) Widescreen and OAR presentations
- Again, because Laser was a collectors format, the majority of laserdiscs were presented in their OAR ( original aspect ratio) format.
So, Laserdisc really paved the way for DVD to exist in the first place. The original customer base for DVD was mostly made-up of previous laserdisc collectors. In the first few years when DVD really caught fire, it was film collectors making the jump from Laserdisc that really drove sales. Some of the most popular early DVD players were combination DVD/Laserdisc players!
Many serious HT buffs still have large LD collections, and still spend thousands of dollars on high-end laserdisc players.
In the end, the popularization of DVD essentially killed the laserdisc format. While Laser certainly had many advantages, the fact that discs held (at most) 60 minutes per side- meant that most films required a side flip, or worse- switching discs in the middle of the film. Couple that with the fact that DVD offered cheaper discs, cheaper players and better video quality (Laserdisc can look quite good, nearly as good as DVD- but often you can only get the best Laser picture out of super-high end players)... the Laserdisc market slowly died as DVD gained popularity.
Technically, LASERDISC releases of new films are no longer being produced for the US as of the late 1990's... however there are tons of discs available on Laser that are not (and may never be) available on DVD. One prime appeal for HT buffs is the availability of the ORIGINAL UNALTERED Star Wars trilogy on Laser (and rumor has it, Lucas will only be releasing the SE versions when they eventually come to DVD, so Laser might be the only opportunity to own a high quality, widescreen edition of the original films!).
So, that is a basic introduction to laserdisc. If you're interested in the format- check out the excellent post in this thread from one of the HTF's resident Laserdisc fanatics, Rachael B:
A complete guide to Laserdisc
or check the HTF unofficial Laserdisc FAQ:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=26700
or check Henrik Herranen's old 1998 Laserdisc Faq:
http://www.cs.tut.fi/~leopold/Ld/FAQ/index.html
-Vince
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04-27-2002, 01:10 PM
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#63 of 89
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Member
Join Date: Jan 1999
Local Time: 06:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 9,593
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What the heck is a DVD?
DVD is one of the most recent, and most exciting additions the the world of home video! Actually, DVD can be used for Data, Movies and now even music-- but we'll concentrate on the DVD-video version for now...
A DVD is a CD sized digital disc which contains audio and video. DVD offers a serious upgrade in terms of picture quality versus previous home video formats (like VHS for example), and offers digital sound (including the ability to play back theatrical surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and DTS!).
A DVD works with video very much the same way a CD works with Audio. The disc allows you to access any point in the movie easily, and doesn't require rewinding like tape formats. DVD requires a special player (it doesn't play in a CD player).
DVD has grown quite popular, both because of added quality of video and audio and because of special features available exclusive to DVD. Often, movies released on DVD will include:
- A special audio track where you can listen to the director or the stars discuss the making of the film
- Access to scenes that were removed from the film
- Access to alternate endings to the movie which were filmed but not used.
- Documentaries about the film production or special achievements of the film.
- Tons more!
In short, DVD can help you enjoy your favorite movies even more! Even better, DVDs usually cost around $20- so you can build a library of your favorites without breaking the bank!
If you're new to DVD, you might want to check out Jim Taylor's excellent DVD Frequently Asked Questions, located here:
http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
Here's what Jim had to say about what a DVD is:
Quote:
DVD once stood for digital video disc or digital versatile disc, but now it just stands for DVD -- the next generation of optical disc storage technology. DVD is essentially a bigger, faster CD that can hold cinema-like video, better-than-CD audio, and computer data. DVD aims to encompass home entertainment, computers, and business information with a single digital format, eventually replacing audio CD, videotape, laserdisc, CD-ROM, and video game cartridges. DVD has widespread support from all major electronics companies, all major computer hardware companies, and all major movie and music studios. With this unprecedented support, DVD has become the most successful consumer electronics product of all time in less than three years of its introduction.
It's important to understand the difference between the physical formats (such as DVD-ROM or DVD-R) and the application formats (such as DVD-Video or DVD-Audio). DVD-ROM is the base format that holds data. DVD-Video (often simply called DVD) defines how video programs such as movies are stored on disc and played in a DVD-Video player or a DVD computer (see 4.1). The difference is similar to that between CD-ROM and Audio CD. DVD-ROM includes recordable variations DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, and DVD+R/RW (see section 4.3). The application formats include DVD-Video, DVD-Video Recording, DVD-Audio (see section 1.12), DVD-Audio Recording, DVD Stream Recording, and SACD. There are also special application formats for game consoles such as Sony PlayStation 2.
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Hope that helps!
Vince Maskeeper
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04-28-2002, 12:33 PM
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#65 of 89
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Local Time: 06:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 883
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The DVD I bought/rented won’t play. Is my DVD player broken or is there a problem with the DVD disc?
This question comes up almost every week. Although there is no single answer that will fit all situations, there are several things to check.
First, if you rented the DVD then check the disc itself. Chances are that the surface of the disc is dirty or heavily scratched. If the disc is dirty then you can try cleaning it. There are many products on the market for cleaning a disc, but good ‘ol tap water, liquid dish soap and a soft clean towel will do the trick. If the DVD is heavily scratched then your only option is to return the disc to the place of rental and get another one (I always check for scratches before even leaving the rental store to save a trip).
If the DVD was recently purchased, you should still check all of the above. If everything looks good then there are several possibilities. (It is always best if you can try to repeat the problem on another player. Go over to a friend’s house or try the DVD–rom in your computer. If it works there, then the problem is with your specific DVD player.) First, your DVD player may need cleaned. There are several cleaners available on the market. Secondly, there may be a problem (although this happens very seldom) with the authoring of the disc. DVD’s and DVD players are insanely complex. This, combined with the fact that there are hundreds of different types and brands of players, can cause incompatibility between certain discs and certain players. This does not happen very often, but check the Software section of this forum for other members who are having the same problem. Thirdly, it may just be a bad disc. There have been entire runs of DVD’s that have shown up flawed and sometimes it is just a few discs out of the batch. If you can’t get the disc to play properly in any DVD player then return it to the place of purchase to exchange it.
Also, there is the problem of a DVD that has been in your collection for awhile and suddenly doesn’t play correctly. First, go through the steps above. If everything checks out then you may have a disc that has gone bad. This happens very rarely and the average consumer may never see this. If your DVD was recently purchased, you should exchange it at the place of purchase. If you are unable to exchange it then your only option is to contact the studio that issued the disc and ask for a replacement. This can be a long and frustrating task, but often times you will be allowed to exchange the defective DVD for a new one.
Finally is the possibility that your DVD player is broken. Again, if it was recently purchased you should return it to the place of purchase. If it is still under warranty, then you could attempt to have it repaired at little to no cost to you (although it may take up to several months for them to return your player to you). If it is no longer covered under warranty then you could pay to have it repaired (which often times will cost more than buying a new player) or use this as an excuse to upgrade!
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04-28-2002, 10:03 PM
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#66 of 89
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Local Time: 06:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 1,328
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Special Edition and Bare-Bones 101
Okay, we'll start off with Bare Bones DVDs since this should be a simple definition. A "Bare Bones" DVD is one that simply contains the film, a couple different audio options and maybe a trailer. Usually the cheaper titles fall in this catagory.
Special Editions 101:
It seems these days as though everyone is trying to out-do one another with the ultimate special edition. Each studio has their own "Premium Line" that includes their very best. I'm going to run down each each studio's line:
20th Century Fox: Five Star Editon is their line of supreme special editions and they are top notch. Some of the titles included are M*A*S*H, Independence Day, The Sound of Music and Die Hard. Some non-Five Star but equally great editions are Fight Club and Moulin Rouge.
Universal: Their Ultimate Editions have come under quite a bit of critisism around here in their choice of re-issues and the general lack of new extras. Some of the more impressive Collector's Editions include The Thing,Jaws and the upcoming Legend Ultimate Edition.
New Line Cinema: Their new InfiniFilm line is an impressive line of special editions that is focused on immersing the audience in all aspects of the film and the features are tailored on a film by film basis, but usually include commentaries and trivia tracks. Titles include Thirteen Days, Blow and Rush Hour 2.
Dreamworks: Signature Series, which is a pretty basic special edition, usually reserved for their award-willing films, and usually has heavy director participation. These include American Beauty, Gladiator, and the upcoming A Beautiful Mind
These are the "Series" that various studios have put out, the other studios have their own "Special Editions," but just call them that. Nonetheless, Special Editions usually include:
Commentary: The director and/or stars guide the viewer through the film, sharing anecdotes and pointing things out to the viewer. Can be entertaining or woefully dull, depending on how interesting it is. And sometimes, the actors just tear the film to shreads, like Ben Affleck on the Armageddon: Criterion Collection commentary.
Deleted Scenes: Scenes that were removed from the finished film. Usually for a damn good reason, too.
Extended scenes: When the scenes were long and boring...
Alternate Ending: Sometimes it's actually an alternate ending, like on the Joyride or Fatal Attraction DVD's. And sometimes you'll be damned if you can figure what exactly is so alternate about it.
Behind the Scenes Featurette: Remember those little things between the movies on HBO? There you go.
Behind the scenes Feature: Far more in depth and much more interesting too. Actually contains discussion about various aspects of the film.
Trivia Track: Remember Pop-Up video. It's like that.
God-Only-Knows What Else: Varies from silly games to who knows what else, all in the name of filling up the disc.
Theatrical Trailers: Self-explainatory. Sometimes you get bonus trailers too. Yee-haw!
And there in a nut-shell, is Special Editions 101.
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04-29-2002, 10:11 AM
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#67 of 89
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Member
Join Date: May 2001
Local Time: 04:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 8,497
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Can I use bookshelf sized speakers for my HT?
The simple answer is yes - with one caveat.
Don't let the size of a small speaker fool you. Today's bookshelf speakers pack a lot of performance into a relatively small box. Unless being driven at very high volumes, they can accurately and faithfully reproduce sound without distortion.
But, when you look at the drivers inside of a bookshelf speaker you'll immediately notice one thing - the size of the woofer. Clearly, it is not as big as those that are found in larger floor-standing speakers.
Unfortunately, physics is physics. To move a large amount of air (which is necessary to create bass), you need a large driver. The woofers found in most bookshelf speakers are adequate, but they simply cannot reproduce the low frequency effects (lfe) you often find in todays movies - especially action or effects laden soundtracks.
So, if bass is important to you, you really only have two options. The first option is to skip the small speaker and purchase a larger floor-standing model. The second option is to purchase the bookshelf speakers and supplement them with a subwoofer.
The second option is becoming more and more popular. Almost all major speaker manufacturers offer some sort of small speaker (often called a 'satellite') combined with a subwoofer...or you can create the combination yourself.
This works well in that the subwoofer can take the job of handling the bass, while the small satellite/bookshelf speaker handles the midrange and high frequencies.
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04-29-2002, 10:41 AM
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#68 of 89
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Member
Join Date: May 2001
Local Time: 04:00 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 8,497
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Where am I supposed to put all these speakers?
Speaker placement is very important and can greatly affect the sound. I'll talk about each speaker and it's optimal placement.
Mains (left/right)
Your main speakers should be placed so that the tweeter is at approximately the same level as your ears at the listening position. If the speaker is too high or low, you may want to experiment with angling the speaker - just be careful of the weight-balance of the speaker when doing so. Angling a speaker often makes it 'top heavy' and prone to falling off a stand.
Center
Ideally, the center channel should be at the same height as the tweeters from the mains. If you have a front projection screen though, place the speaker directly either above or below the screen and angle the speaker so that the tweeters point to your ear level while seated in the listening position. If you have a direct or rear-projection TV, you can place it on top of the TV or use the same approach as the front projection setup, being sure to angle up or down as needed. Many center channels include an adjustable bracket in the back to assist with angling.
Rear - Direct Radiating
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