Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I think maybe you have to make correction +10dB on subwoofer.. at least I have to make it on XA1 for all hd dvd movies,...

Marek

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Allow the web-enabled content to download.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Ha, ha!
Boy, have they! ;-)

Yeah, many, many, many, are displeased/disappointed with the soundtrack.
First, that it wasn't TrueHD & second the lower than normal output.

However, it just won "Best Sound"!!!
Go figure.

If you turn it up, anywhere from 2 to 10 Db's above your regular setting you may be pleased. Dynamic range does not suffer, from the lower mastering; butt this release none the less fails to match or come close too "my" theater experience.

EDitEDbyED:
You can not fairly judge one soundtrack against another from different sources; however what is inbareassing is to play (at "normal" volume) the "Iron Man" trailer.
It BLOWS AWAY the "Transformers" soundtrack (at the same volume level), yet was mastered on the "same" disc!!! :-0

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Mastered at a lower level doesn't necessarily mean *bad* audio. What's wrong with the audio other than it being low?

(Just got the disc yesterday and haven't had a chance to play it yet.)

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Well it does sound great. There must be something wrong somewhere!

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

It's the firmware people.

ALLOW the WEF to download.
That's where the cookie is for sound levels APPARENTLY.

Same disc, several players - different cookies = better sound.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

No offense intended to you personally, but if that's the case that's f*cking dumb. So only people with their players hooked up to the Internet can listen to the movie at an acceptable sound level?

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

No, that's not the case. Web access will get you firmware version 2.7, which the OP indicates he already has. Whatever the problem is, it has nothing to do with web content.

M.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Just trying to provide solutions mate. Otherwise, be happy with your weak sound.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I just got this disc myself. I played it up to the point after the initial attack on the dessert base to check it out. It did sound pretty anemic. I played it on an A35 with audio out via optical bitstream. I did crank up the level on the sub by 10 db. It helped.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Not that this fully explains the situation, but you do realize that an optical connection involves a transcoding of the DD+ soundtrack on the Transformers disc, with an attendant loss in sound quality?

The OP is using HDMI; so this factor doesn't apply in his case.

M.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I really don't know what the problem is here.

I have never read such a polarizing HT issue as the audio on this disc. EVERY review I've read has given it a perfect audio score across the board. DVDtown, Hi-def digest, Secrets, the list goes on. I guess there must be some kind of conspiracy among reviewers or something. Stacy Spears at "Secrets" has stated that this would be his new reference disc despite the lack of lossless audio. I am more privy to believe that there is a hardware issue afoot here because I can't understand how the audio divide here can possibly be that great.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Again, it wasn't intended to be anything personally directed at you. Apparently, I didn't understand your post, and I still don't think I do.


Apparently, I'm just not "getting" this. Are you and Chris saying that firmware version 2.7 corrects the sound levels?

I think the root cause of my confusion on this issue is what is being referred to as WEF? Chris when you refer to the WEF, is this a Transformer feature or a firmware feature?

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I curious about this as well. I do disagree with the concept of the WEF cookies helping correct mistakes as being dumb. I think it is great that, if possible, a mistake can corrected through the net without a replacement disc. There are very few situations where this could help, but it would be a help. The only issue is that anyone without an active net connection to the player will be left in the dust causing inconsistency between experiences.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I think I will steer clear of this title for now until there is an answer why the audio is weak. I was not crazy about the use of DD+ but this is all the excuse I need to postpone the purchase until a later date.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Michael, yes, I totally understand the fact that my audio connection is different then the OP. I was reporting that I also experience audio that is not as robust as other HD discs I own as well, though it may not be as relevant due to hardware connections. The disc sure does look great!

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I'm also not sure what the problem is here. My copy rattles the doors and windows. Yes the volume is mastered at a somewhat lower level than many other HD DVDs. There is a simple solution, turn up the volume.

Honestly I think this sound track sounds much more natural than others that are shrill and have an over cranked sub woofer track. I realize that many people like boomy sound but some tracks are ridiculous to the point of destroying the over all aesthetic. While other tracks are so shrill that I want to get my ear plugs out of my shooting kit.

Doug

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I no longer have my XA2 (2.7) - replaced it with an A30. However, when I did have it, I watched Transformers via PCM (player decoded) and wasn't impressed with the Transformers audio track. It lacked punch and didn't come close to even other DD+ tracks I've heard such as King Kong, etc. Maybe I didn't have an audio setting correctly in the player - not sure - I didn't have the player long.

I would like to try the movie again this time in my A30 which I know I have set up correctly as PCM before I make a final judgement on Transformers.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Are you sure Dave H, I was not aware that any HD-DVD's had any PCM tracks on them. And as far as Transformers goes I believe that these tracks are the only ones on the disc.

Audio:
ENGLISH: DD-Plus 5.1 [CC]
SPANISH: DD-Plus 5.1
FRENCH: DD-Plus 5.1

This has been one of my pet peaves is that there are not enough Dolby True HD tracks and a lack of DTS-HD MA tracks in the US. There also is no uncompressed PCM tracks on HD-DVD which makes me wonder what the heck is going on? Shure just about every HD-DVD seems to have a DD+ track on it but I have yet to be impressed by DD+. I am very impressed with Dolby True HD as long as DN is not used.

But since there seems to be a audio problem with this title I will put it off till later. There are other titles I want more and I would rather put money into the new receiver fund. So I can buy a new Denon AVR-3808ci receiver and decode all the new surround tracks on both HD formats.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Mitch,

For me when I watch Transformers, I found that the first half of the movie sounded pretty low but then the last 30 minutes sounded great. Let me ask you this, is your Dialog Enhancer on or off? In the HD player I mean, if you turn it on then the sound would be louder in the center speaker.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

What I meant was...

I had the XA2 decode the DD+ track and send it to my receiver which played it as PCM. I'm not exactly sure if I'm describing it properly in terms of technical details, but it was non-bitstream.

However, there were like three different audio settings on the XA2 if I recall. Again, not sure if I had the right settings. My receiver (VSX-Pioneer 91TXH) indicated PCM 96hz if I recall.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

I know what I'm saying. I can only guess at what Chris Caine ("Yumbo") is saying, because, as usual, he's all over the map.

What I'm saying is that it's not a firmware issue, because the OP has the latest firmware (ver. 2.7; see the first post). Therefore, when Yumbo/Chris says, "It's the firmware people" (post 9), he's wrong -- assuming he's using the term "firmware" accurately, which he may not be.

When Yumbo/Chris starts talking about "cookies", I have no idea what he's referring to.

In general, I think the web connection is a giant red herring as far as this audio issue is concerned.

M.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Ah. Thanks for clearing your end up, hopefully Chris can do the same.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Michael,

Please don't get personal in your inferences. Sure, my shorthand may be confusing, as I am always posting from work - HT is MY WORK, HTF isn't.

I call it like it is.
I was one of the very first to report the sound was 'off' with this HD, and people (maybe you as well) believed I was talking rubbish, just because EVERY online reviewer gave it glowing reviews. Guess I'm STILL not the ONLY one.

1. Everyone has different setups.

2. I first tested this on an add-on with optical. Sound was OFF, and frakkin' embarrassing in front of others who came for this event HD premiere.

3. Asked someone else to test on their AX2 with HDMI - sound normal, or ON.

4. Quickly tested DVD on a smaller amp - not as impressive either.

5. Ordered an A35 specifically to test analog out for Transformers. I DIDN'T HAVE TO AS I DON'T HAVE A 1080P SCREEN. After importing the A35 at a cost of $600, it dies on us after croaking on a rental disc. Not before we test it with analog 5.1, and sound is still OFF, even with firmware 1.3.

6. We send it back after many phone calls to VE, and get it replaced at a cost of $200, and receive it with box crushed and player dented. In the meantime, we test on an A2 optical with firmware update 2.7, and sound is ON!

7. Previously, the WEF (web-enabled features) would allow the HUD to work, and then NOT WORK AGAIN (error). This time, the WEF loading is quick.

8. New A35 arrives - play Transformers (1.0 firmware) - CEILING almost falls. Turn all speakers and bass levels down. Calibrate for optical and analog to be same. Again, WEF loads quick. Sound is VERY ON.

9. We also re-tested on original 360 add-on. Again WEF quick load, and sound is ON.

10. Disc has ALWAYS been the same.


So to conclude in OUR case:

a. FIRMWARE is not ALWAYS the variable factor, as in point 8.
b. Optical isn't either in various points.
c. Disc has NEVER been the issue.
d. Calibration is assumed.
e. Player settings is assumed.
f. The ONLY variable as far as we can see is the WEF.

From the studio angle:

1. Firmware updates only for Toshiba players.
2. WEF updates for all players.

Now, anyone can draw their own conclusions.
We've made the effort to get to the bottom in our case, seemingly no thanks to anyone here or at AVS for that matter.
Issue done, next!

So, anyone else care to call that all over the map?
Time to have breakfast.

ps. another map movement for anyone:

1. Analog does not sound better than optical so far - still exploring.
2. Plus sounds better than THD (on 300) using HDMI.

And here's a cookie - Bourne Ultimatum sounds fantastic.

Re: Poor sound quality in Transformers HD DVD.

Chris, thanks for taking the time to go into more detail. Unfortunately, I am still confused about one point: WEF. Is this something that is encoded on the disc or downloaded from the Internet? It sounds like the later, but not having my HD DVD players connected to the Internet I'd appreciate it if someone could just spell it out for me.

Also, if I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that because the 360 did not have a firmware update inbetween your tests, you are suspecting that the WEF update is the culprit? Are you certain that there wasn't a 360 firmware update? If so, then it would seem your conclusion is rather sound. No pun intended.

Thanks again.