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

post #1 of 106
7/26/02 at 2:40am
Thread Starter 
I have heard some rumors that the DD version I think is suppose to sound better.....can anyone confirm if thery have listen to both the DD and DTS version?
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post #2 of 106
7/26/02 at 3:31am
I think the DTS version sounded a little nicer (Apollo 13, like the early releases from Universal, had a full-bitrate DTS track), but I also thought it was less impressive than the old DTS LaserDisc.

Despite the small increase in sound quality, I sold the DTS version and kept the DD Special Edition. There's so much really good supplementary material that it's almost a no-brainer. The DTS version has NO extras.
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post #3 of 106
7/26/02 at 4:39am
just a caveat, some early dd decoders (and i mean a really, really small percentage) had problems with the dd 1.0 soundtrack on the extras in the dd version, resulting in garbled, but still understandable, audio. since my pre/pro was one of the ones affected, i sold the dd version and bought the dts.

there is such a tiny, tiny chance that this could affect you, that you really should forget that you read this post.
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post #4 of 106
7/26/02 at 6:18am
There may have been a slight increase in the audio qqulaity of the dts soundtrack but with many of the first generation of Universal dts DVD's, the differences were not as pronounced as they may be with todays dts DVD's. Add to that the great documentaries on the DD version and it makes th choice for the DD version (for me) easier.
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post #5 of 106
7/26/02 at 11:00am
DTS all the way for me. It sounds better and I don't care for extras anyway.
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post #6 of 106
7/26/02 at 11:51am
The Dolby version has a sharper image by the way over the DTS release.

To quote Bjoern Roy:

Quote:
there is a marked difference between the 2 Appolo13 DVDs. The DTS on is a lot softer.
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post #7 of 106
7/26/02 at 11:59am

Quote:
I have heard some rumors that the DD version I think is suppose to sound better.....can anyone confirm...
Can you say "can of worms"? I knew you could.
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post #8 of 106
7/26/02 at 8:28pm
I noticed a slight difference with the DTS - improvement.

However, there is a VERY noticable difference in video between the two.

The DD has a sharper picture that shows more flaws. The DTS has a softer picture showing fewer flaws. I did an A/B comparison and I know Bjoren has talked about this before.
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post #9 of 106
7/26/02 at 9:28pm
I have the dd dvd and had thought it sounded ok.

Although I have never heard the dts dvd, I have the launch clip in dts on a demo dvd and it sounds 10 times better than the same sequence on the dd dvd.

Most opinion given by those who have both dvd's say there is not enough of a dif to loose all the extra's present on the dd dvd (plentifull and excellent).

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
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post #10 of 106
7/26/02 at 11:38pm
I own the DTS version and I can tell you it rocks!

The picture looks good too.

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post #11 of 106
7/27/02 at 2:33am
I want the CE but its too much atm, i'm waiting for it to go down, even tho i have dts i want the features, our R4 dd version is lower bitrate but does have 2 commentary tracks i whouldn't buy it anyway as R1 is always superior.
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post #12 of 106
7/27/02 at 7:14am
If you don't really care about extras, I would say to go with the DTS. I personally don't ever listen to commentaries or watch all of the extras on a disc. What I do want is the version that most closesly resembles the theatrical presentation. And according to the Internet Movie Database and Widescreen review, this movie was released theatrically only in DTS and DTS-Stereo, meaning there was no dolby digital theatrical versions. For me, that means getting the DTS version. I personally have the DTS laserdisc and it is awesome.
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post #13 of 106
12/29/02 at 7:21am

Apollo 13 DTS - different versions?

After owning the Apollo 13 Collectors Edition DVD (with DD sound) for several years I decided to buy the DTS version based on internet postings and reviews. The DTS version is widely regarded as having a more dynamic soundtrack with heavier use of the LFE channel.

After comparing the launch scene (ch 13) I am disappointed to hear little difference in the bass content between the versions. I have calibrated my system in both DD and DTS modes using the test tones from the S&V HT tune-up disc, so I know the sub is correctly balanced - my sub is a Servo-15. I have also matched the levels between the DD and DTS tones (I've found the DTS tones to be about 4 db higher) using separate inputs.

Since I bought the disc recently I am wondering how many pressings there have been for this DTS disc, and if there are any differences in the sound encoding between pressings (as was the case with the DD version of the original Jurassic Park - D2R1 vs D2R2)?

If there are any differences does anyone know how to identify the version (imprinted near the center of the disc?)

Thanks.
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post #14 of 106
12/29/02 at 8:13am
I cannot stress enough that DTS is not about more LFE. It is about a more dynamic soundtrack. Some movies (such as Jurassic Park) are a little cooked to give it more in the LFE department, but overall (and in my opinion) a good DTS mix is going to give you more clarity and channel separation, not just more bass. I have noticed on countless DTS soundtracks that the surrounds seem to be more active and there are more "small" sounds noticeable that were not noticeable on the DD counterpart. There also seems to be more ambience on the DTS tracks with a wider soundfield. There are, however, DD tracks that sound better than their DTS counterparts. Most of this, I believe, stemming from either a cooked DD track, or a poorly mixed DTS track.

In any event, let your ears be the judge as to which soundtrack you like better. On my equipment, in my HT, for my money, DTS is the better track because of its diverse soundstage and awesome channel separation.
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post #15 of 106
12/29/02 at 10:38am
I will hopefully be picking up the Apollo13 DTS LD off a forum user in the next month to replace my old Pro-Logic version, so is the LD DTS better than the DVD DTS?

Cause in my opinon the LD of Saving Private Ryan sounded better than the DTS DVD.
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post #16 of 106
12/29/02 at 11:48am
I prefer the Collector's Edition (Dolby Digital) over the DTS version just because the DTS version has a softer, slightly-less detailed image. This seems to be the case with some of Universal's early DTS releases.
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post #17 of 106
12/29/02 at 11:58am
Declan,

I haven't heard either of the DVD's, but I have the DTS LD. It is pretty awesome. The best part being the lift-off sequence. It creates a very wide soundstage, deep bass, and the music comes through the great clarity. Like I said I don't have either DVD to compare it to, but I don't think you'll be disappointed with the DTS laser.
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post #18 of 106
12/29/02 at 12:18pm
cheers Greg..........cant wait
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post #19 of 106
12/29/02 at 4:52pm
I had the Apollo 13 DTS LD before foolishly selling it to get the DTS DVD.

The LD is heads and shoulders above all DVDs versions of this film. It's not about the bass (although it was tighter), but the micro-detail, smooth/dynamic sound, and wider imaging between the speakers.

DTS LDs were also note worthy for using the very best PCM digital masters to run through a DTS compression encoder.

Other phenomenal DTS LD's I no longer have the pleasure of owning are Casper and Jurassic Park. Those were jaw droppingly good!!!

I do still own The Rock and a few other DTS LDs and they are either slightly or hugely better in the audio department than their DVD counterparts.

Dan
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post #20 of 106
12/29/02 at 6:19pm
I remember when i first got my LD player I got a copy of Goldeneye..............the DTS version but it was the regular Dolby cover. Because of the commentary and DTS track the only way I could listen to the film was in mono off the analouge left channel (i think), only having a simple hi-fi i changed it for the Dolby version so I could "listen to it in stereo"


How times have changed. Having said that the DD5.1 LD track takes the head off you at times........great.

Although I cant wait to get Apollo13 now because I do love a bit of subtlety to my soundtracks (despite the films I usually metion to tests systems out).
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post #21 of 106
12/29/02 at 7:20pm
I agree with Clinton that DTS typically yields a more detailed sound field compared to the same movie with a DD track. (An excellent example of this can be found on "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" during the song of the sirens. Listen to the ambient sounds of the river, especially in the surrounds, on both tracks.)

I have noticed small details in the Apollo 13 comparisons I have made thus far, but have not measured the claimed huge differences in LFE that I've read about. That's why I posed the question of different disc pressings. Otherwise I have to assume that many out there are being fooled by simply a recording level difference in the tracks (DTS being 4-5 dB higher). If those people adjusted their master volume control to a known DTS reference level I wonder if they would still hear a bass difference at all.
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post #22 of 106
5/6/03 at 3:06pm

Apollo 13 DD 5.1

I was at Costco today and was tempted to buy the DD 5.1 version of Apollo 13 for $12.99. However, I have heard things to suggest that the DD 5.1 version is not all it's cracked up to be. Is this true, keeping in mind that I would probably never be able to detect subtle differences anyway? Also, it's labeled as a Collector's Edition but could not find the extras on the back. How are the Extras?
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post #23 of 106
5/6/03 at 3:45pm
The extras on the CE are great! There are 2 full-length commentaries - one from director Ron Howard, and the other by Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell and his wife Marilyn (worth the cost of the disc by itself). There's also a wonderful 60-minute documentary about the real-life mission, as well as the film's production. There's also the standard trailer, production notes, and bios.

The CE is a must-buy if you're a fan of the film. The extras are great!

There's also an easter egg of the entire score (in DD 5.1) if you let the Main Menu sit without choosing any of the options.
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post #24 of 106
5/6/03 at 4:05pm
Are the extras on the DTS version the same? Is the Quality of the DD 5.1 acceptable?
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post #25 of 106
5/6/03 at 4:59pm
There are NO extras on the dts versionand in my opinion does not look as good,and NO appreciable differencs in the sonics.
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post #26 of 106
5/6/03 at 5:43pm
Guess I won't have to second guess about the $12.99 at Costco

Thanks
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post #27 of 106
5/6/03 at 6:02pm
Grab the disc. When I had my widescreen RPTV calibrated by an ISF tech from the local high-end video store, he threw my Apollo 13 CE into the player to test the video. After a few minutes he checked my receiver (which at the time was DD only) and then the cover of the DVD. Finally he told me that he had just been demoing the DTS version at his store that afternoon and the film sounded better on my system with DD than it had in the showroom with DTS. This is not one of those films where DTS is a clear winner, and I couldn't imagine giving up the terrific extras just for DTS sound. (Even though I now have a DTS system and find that many films do sound noticably better in DTS.)

One extra not even mentioned on the disc - the full score without sound effects, which you can't even get on CD. (There is a soundtrack CD, of course, but several critical sections - like the launch sequence - have both dialogue and sound FX over the music.)

I bought and returned the CD when it was first released because I found that so annoying. If I wanted to hear that music with voices and sound I figured I could just watch my laserdisc version.

But if you pop the DVD in and leave it on the menu it will play the entire score straight through without a single line of dialogue or sound of lift-off, over and over until you make a selection or remove the disc. I put it in the player and leave it on for hours while working around the house, because it is one of my all-time favorite film scores.

Regards,

Joe
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post #28 of 106
5/6/03 at 6:15pm
I used to have both of them. Now I only have the DD version. Why? Because I heard NO differences in sound and the DD has a more detailed picture.
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post #29 of 106
5/6/03 at 9:32pm
I have heard many say that the dts sounded marginally better on the dts version BUT the picture quality was not as good on the dts version as the DD version was, and that the extras outweighed any small audio advantage of the dts.
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post #30 of 106
5/7/03 at 5:22am
Quote:
have heard many say that the dts sounded marginally better on the dts version BUT the picture quality was not as good on the dts version as the DD version was, and that the extras outweighed any small audio advantage of the dts.

Looks like I'll be sticking with my DD version. I just can't give up the isolated score.
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