Premium Channels/DPL (1 Viewer)

[Arron H]

Where are the LFE effects directed for DPL 2 & 4 channel broadcasts on HBO, Showtime, etc.? How much LFE is missing from an HBO broadcast of The Haunting in DPL 2 or 4 verses a 5.1 DVD? Is there anything missing from a 5.1 letterbox broadcast on HBO as opposed 5.1 letterbox on DVD? I have the DISH and so my reception is preety good but DVDs still seem to be clearer and better sounding than even letterbox 5.1 broadcasts on HBO.

 

[Michael Reuben]

Quote:

I can't comment on the sound, but in general DVD has better video resolution than satellite.
M.

 

[Arron H]

Michael, thanks for the info. I was getting Dolby Digital encoding and DPL decoding mixed up. I meant satellite broadcasts encoded in Dolby Digital 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, & 5.1. It sounds like it's safe to say that only satellite broadcasts encoded using Dolby Digital 5.1 include LFE and that Dolby Digital 5.1 broadcasts may or may not include the same mix of audio & video included on a DVD. It would depend on whether different audio or video masters were prepared for HBO's broadcast. Does this sound correct?

 

[Michael Reuben]

Pretty much. I've seen an occasional Dolby Digital 4.1 track on DVD, so I suppose they could exist on satellite too. But it's rare to find a separate LFE track unless there's a fully discrete 5.1 mix (or remix).

M.