16vmarc

Which do people prefer?

And is it a fair comparison?

Abdabz

I voted for thx but only because its sounds nicer - I actually have no idea what Im voting for.. Bit like a working class labour voter oooohoooo hahahaha

chrisowe

This should really be a poll between Dolby Digital or DTS. Then I would vote for DTS.
THX is more of a quality standard, where Dolby and DTS are a type of surround soundtrack.

C h a z

Correct Chris. Dolby Digital vs THX is a silly qestion. Lets start a new poll, which is better Blu Tac or Cheese?

16vmarc

Hows Dave?

IWatkins

I'll vote for DTS as my amp doesn't have the option to play THX

logiclee

It's been said earlier but THX is not a surround format it's a quality standard. Although DD5.1 EX with the matrixed centre back channel was originally called THX5.1EX for Phantom Menace but was soon dropped.

In the early days there was only THX now there is THX Ultra and THX Select.
The Ultra is basically the old standard and the new select products are lower spec which is more for Europes smaller rooms.

Have a look at http://www.thx.com/mod/products/homeTheatre.html for info.

If you have ever heard a full THX Ultra setup you'll know how awsome they are when setup correctly.

The confusion has come with some DVD's being labled as THX. All that means is they have been reproduced to THX standards.

By far the best surround format available IMO is DTS 6.1 Discerete.

Cheers
Lee

16vmarc

Cheers for clearing that up Lee.

GC8

Did you get an AV amp for Christmas Marc?

Robocop

Yep, DTS 6.1 Discrete would be my choice as the best as well. It is after all the only true 6.1 sound format.

16vmarc

No, but my dad got home entertainment system.

chump

DTS or Dolby Digital - lets just say, after you've watched T3 in DTS format on a THX Certified 5.1 Setup (like i have) you will NEVER go back to Dolby Digital. Used to think that The Matrix sounded amazing in Dolby Digital but watched it again after watching T3 in DTS and I thought it sounded pants. It also has a lot to do with the bit rate of the sound track too as to how good it sounds AFAIK.....

logiclee

That's a very good point Chump.

Some DTS DVD's that also have DD5.1 and a load of extra's on one disc have DTS encoded at a lower bit rate. Sometimes the old DTS Laser Discs are better.

You have to be a little carefull with some of the THX select rated products. it cost's to have the certification so that's part of your purchase price.

The Pioneer AX3 is THX select rated but IMO it's not as good as the non-THX Denon 3805 and they sell for similar money.

Cheers
Lee

chump

I think that most DTS sound tracks are (on average) around 736kbps - however some region 0 DVD's (Japan???) encode at up to 1536kbps and these are meant to sound awesome...not many around though as it doesn't leave much room for the film

.....for comparison Dolby Digital is only up to 448kbps......

Has anyone any experience with the Superbit DVD's (you can get them on Amazon). They have none of the usual extra's, lanaguages or anything that would normally 'pad out' a regular dual layer DVD. Therefore you get a better encoding of the main picture and sound track.....it would be interesting to see what bit rate the sound tracks are on these.....

logiclee

Some early DTS only DVD's were encoded at the higher bit rate. I have Apollo 13 and the lift off sequence is excellent.
I haven't tried any of the superbit titles but they are supposed to be good. I'd rather have the quality than extra's I'm never going to watch.

Cheers
Lee

C h a z

How come after chrisowe and logiclee's first posts people are still voting?

Jamz3k

i use a pioneer AX3 with a Monitor audio Silver Series Setup. Watching Blade makes me moist only DTS film i've watched on it at the mo is Back to the Future very impressed with it. although with moving into my new house and working 6 days a week i havent had time to set it up correctly or enjoy it at all.
mostly gets used for playing Rally Sport Challenge on the xbox lol

GC8

"Leave her alone you BITCH!"

IWatkins

I think you will find it is:

"Get away from her, you BITCH!!!"

</alien films geek mode>

16vmarc

indeed