Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES (1 Viewer)

DarrellC · Apr 14, 2003

I am in the market for a new receiver. I have a 5.1 set-up but may (someday) upgrade to a 6.1 set-up. What do I need...Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES? What are the pros and cons of each? PLEASE HELP!!!

Michael Reuben · Apr 14, 2003

It's not an either/or choice. Some DVDs offer only a DD EX track, with no DTS. Others offer a choice between DD EX and DTS-ES. And as you may know, there are two flavors of DTS-ES: matrix (roughly the same ast DD EX) and discrete. And the vast majority of DVDs are still either regular 5.1 or two-channel stereo surround (or mono).

My advice is not to let these formats drive your choice of receiver. There are many other more important factors to consider in selecting a receiver: adequate power to drive your speakers, quality of the digital processing circuitry, flexibility and configurability, etc.

M.

Craig Robertson · Apr 14, 2003

as Michael said, it's not an either/or, the receiver can have both and will decode whatever you feed it.

DarrellC · Apr 14, 2003

What if the receiver only has one or the other? Is one more commonly needed than the other? If a unit has DTS ES and not DD EX, is that a big deal? Will I still be able to upgrade to 6.1?

Kevinkall · Apr 14, 2003

Most of the receivers out now will decode these formats. Check out the Kenwood 6070. You can pick it up for around $330.

Michael Reuben · Apr 14, 2003

My advice is not to let these formats drive your choice of receiver. There are many other more important factors to consider in selecting a receiver

M.

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Tony Casler · Apr 14, 2003

My old receiver, a pioneer vsx-d810s only did DTS-ES, and not DD-EX or PLII, so such things do exist. I would imagine they are the vast minority now, though.

DarrellC · Apr 14, 2003

The Denon 1082 (3802) does DTS ES byt not DD EX. I will look at other more important items to make my decision. Thanks!

Michael Reuben · Apr 14, 2003

The Denon 1082 (3802) does DTS ES byt not DD EX.

That is incorrect. The 3802 does indeed decode DD EX.

M.

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DarrellC · Apr 15, 2003

My fault. This is the information I copied off of the Denon website. I did not notice Dolby Digital EX in this list.

Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II & DTS ES Discrete 7.1 A/V Receiver • Dolby Pro Logic II decoding with Cinema and Music Modes • DTS Extended Surround Discrete 6.1 decoding • DTS Extended Surround Matrix 6.1 decoding • DTS Neo:6 Cinema & Music Surround decoding • Dolby Digital decoding, including Matrix 6.1 decoding • DDSC-Digital featuring Analog Devices SHARC 32 bit floating point DSP processor • 7 Channels equal power amplifier section • 150 watts per channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz,

Scott Merryfield · Apr 15, 2003

Dolby Digital decoding, including Matrix 6.1 decoding

This spec means Dolby Digital EX.

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DarrellC · Apr 15, 2003

Ah-Ha! Isn't this forum great!

Boaty McBoatface · Apr 15, 2003

I am not sure,but I believe that the H/K 520/320 only had DTS-ES processing and only DD 5.1

Michael Reuben · Apr 15, 2003

I am not sure,but I believe that the H/K 520/320 only had DTS-ES processing and only DD 5.1

But those models also had Logic7 for 5.1 sources, which effectively gets you DD EX (better, in fact). My guess is that Harman didn't want to pay an additional licensing fee to THX and Dolby for use of the EX trademark. (They own Logic7 through their ownership of Lexicon.)

It's important to remember what we're talking about here. DD EX is simply DD 5.1 with some additional matrix processing applied to the left and rear surrounds, so that a center surround is extracted. DTS-ES Matrix is exactly the same thing (so much so that DTS initially paid Dolby a license fee for it). If a receiver has the ability to extract one or more additional rear channels from the left and right surrounds of a DD 5.1 mix, then the receiver "does" DD EX, regardless of how it's labeled.

M.

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DarrellC · Apr 15, 2003

What is the difference between the Denon 3802 and the 1082?

Eric_E · Apr 15, 2003

Darrell:

The Denon 3802 and 1082 are exactly the same. I believe the 1082 is the "mass market" version but even the instruction manual for both units continually references the 1082/3802.

Greg Thomas · Apr 15, 2003

But those models also had Logic7 for 5.1 sources, which effectively gets you DD EX (better, in fact).

This part is incorrect. The HK 320 and 520 have Logic 7, but it only works with 2 channel sources, not 5.1 digital sources. I believe the HK 8000 does use Logic 7 with 5.1 sources.

On my HK 320 you can get 6.1 and 7.1 in the following modes:

DTS-ES (digital 6 channel source)

with 2 channel sources...
DTS Neo
Logic 7
7 channel stereo

Dolby Digital is only 5.1 and Dolby PL II is also only 5.1

Also remember with the HK 320 and 520, you'll need a another amp to run the surround back left and right speakers to get 7.1. The newer HK 325 and 525 have 7 amps built in and does DD-EX as well as DTS-ES.

Click to expand...

Michael Reuben · Apr 15, 2003

Thanks for the correction, Greg. I'm obviously not as up-to-date on the distinctions between the HK models as I thought. It's an odd feature set, considering that the matrix decoding circuitry is already present. But no odder, I suppose, than including the decoding circuitry for DTS-ES but not the amps for the additional channel(s). :frowning:

M.

Jeremy Anderson · Apr 16, 2003

Just a mention: Unless you're just strapped for cash, go with Denon or H/K over the Kenwood if you listen anywhere near reference level. Denon and H/K rate power using the same standard on all channels, where Kenwood uses 0.7% THD on the surrounds and 0.09% THD on the other channels (which is a MASSIVE difference). Not trying to anger Kenwood fans or anything, but every Kenwood I've heard has noisy surrounds at reference even with efficient speakers. Most importantly, audition receivers and play with the features before buying.

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