Old DD & DTS formats vs New DD True HD & DTS Master Audio (1 Viewer)

[Steve>JF]

Is there really that much difference in the quality of the new HD sound formats vs the SD formats? I have not taken the plunge into the Blu-Ray DVD pool yet, but I was wondering if the audio is that much better than SD DVD audio. I know the video is visually better, but is the audio audibly better?

 

[sptrout]

I believe that most people can easily tell the difference, however I also believe in the “weakest link in the chain” rule. What a person actually “hears” depends on many things, most of which are very dependent on each specific system.

Even if you have the best possible source audio one must also consider other items in a system that can greatly affect the results, including; system electronics, speakers, room acoustics, and finally each individual’s hearing ability and personal preferences. Any of these can destroy the final results.

Therefore, your entire system must be up to the task of providing the best possible audio. IMO you will hear a difference, but not so much if you have a poor system, bad room acoustics, or just plain bad hearing.

 

[Steve>JF]

Thanks for the reply, Steve. So, one Steve to another, let's say I play the new formats on the same home theater speakers (Polk R15s all around, Polk CSi20 center) I have now, only with the new formats. How do the new fomats sound better? What aspects are improved audibly? Sorry to be so inquisitive!

 

[Doug_H]

Steve

My experience is that the sound is more open and realistic. I spent time doing A-B tests and the best way I can explain it is that the old formats sound like a thin blanket is hanging over my maggies, the HD formats remove the blanket and bring more life to the sound.

It is a big difference on my system, much more noticeable than the difference between CD and DVD-A/SACD was for me.

 

[Steve>JF]

Doug...Wow! Sounds like it is worth the jump into HD sound & video. Now if only the prices of BR players & DVDs would come down, I might take the plunge a little earlier. Also, I need an HD receiver to take full advantage (mine has component & optical). I just bought a nice receiver a couple years ago before HDMI 1.3 was being included on new receivers.

Thanks!

 

[Steve>JF]

 

[John Dirk]

How low should they go? I got my Onkyo 805 for $600.00 brand new about 6 months ago. Not sure what it goes for now, but it's an awesome receiver with HDMI 1.3A and onboard decoding of all current lossless audio formats. As for the BD player, I paid $298.00 for my Magnavox, [which included a $100.00 gift card for anything Wal-mart sells, so the net price was $198.00] which can either decode lossless audio onboard or send a PCM bitstream to the receiver if you prefer. As far as I know, the only thing this player won't do is BD Live.

I'm with you on the actual BD software. Who knows when those prices willl come down, which is why I joined Netflix.

I saw Wal-Mart offering the same player for $50.00 less after Thanksgiving.

I doesn't get much better pricewise. I'd get in on it if I were you!

John

 

[bpickell]

I have to agree that the cost of the BluRay Discs are a little on the high side...

I just canceled my netflix subscription, because I got tired of everything in my queue going straight to the extremely long you will go grey before you see a movie wait list.

 

[John Dirk]

This is interesting to me. Different people seem to have such diverse experiences with Netflix. I have only been a member for about 2 months, but I have been able to get anything I want, with little to no waiting. My problem has been playability of some of the Bl-Ray discs I have received. They seem to have a very short shelf life in a rental environment like Netflix.

I've heard that Netflix will play games with people who they feel rent too many movies. I have the 1 at a time unlimited plan. I also wonder if location has anything to do with getting your films in a timely fashion.

John

 

[sptrout]

My experience, and from what I have read from many others, is that the longer a person is a Netflix customer, the poorer the service. New customers get the best service. In my case, I have been a Netflix customer for a couple years and it takes 1 - 2 months to get a "new" release with the exception (sometimes) of a new Blu-ray re-release of an older movie. By the time I get a new release, it is really a very old release:frowning:

I am on the "two at a time unlimited plan", never watch more than two movies a week, and I live in Houston, which is a Netflix distribution center.

 

[John Dirk]

Wow. I hope that is not true, but I should know soon enough. I won't have any problem canceling if I start to see the type of wait times you are experiencing.

John

 

[bpickell]

I used to receive new releases the day they came out, but the last year or so, it has turned into minimum 6 months to receive new releases. I had been a member for if I had to guess about 5 years when I canceled.

btw my distribution point is only 30 miles from here. They always received the movies I sent them next day.

 

[John Dirk]

Well, sounds like you did the right thing. Too many people complain of bad service, but do nothing about it. It's much harder to get a new customer than it is to retain an existing one, so I've never understood the disdain with which some companies treat their loyal supporters.

John

 

[bpickell]

I think what ticked me off more, was I would religiously look at my Queue every Tuesday and ever Tuesday I would see the available now next to the movie in my queue, but it would never move up to my movies out queue. It would stay at available now until Wednesday and then go to very long wait.

So long story short I have an open slot in my delivery queue and a movie that says available now, but it never gets shipped to me.

 

[carpenterfan]

I just watched the Dark Knight again last night on blu ray. If you want to be convinced on moving over to blu ray, this is the disc for you to experience. In my opinion is the best experience i have ever watched on any home video product , period. The video and auduo presentations are mind blowing.You will hear some of the best LFE you will ever hear.The video quality especially in the Imax sequences are stunning.It is like looking through glass.

 

[emgesp]

I'm using a $800 Onkyo HTIB and even I can hear a big difference. Surround sound has much greater depth and immersion, subs lows are much cleaner and forceful, and the mains are more detailed in the highs.

Better speakers are on my wishlist and I can only imagine the difference it will make.