I am just completing my home theater system and purchased among other things the Sony 7700 player to plug into the Sony STR50ES receiver. In my excitement I went to order some DVDs through
DVDExpress.com when I noticed that, for example,
Apollo 13 can be ordered in the DTS version or the
Dolby Digital 5.1 version. I realize these are
different theaterical formats but it appears that
DTS DVD will not play on non-DTS player. If this is so it would seem like I should purchase the 5.1 version since it is more universally compatiable. Is this correct? Is DTS that much better than 5.1? Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Well, all your equipment can handle both DTS & Dolby Digital. DTS *is* higher quality sound, but some people can't tell the difference. There's a whole controversy over it.

The one thing to check is that most DTS discs do not offer any special features due to the added space occupied by the audio stream. You get the movie and that's about it. Plus, they're more expensive. It's up to you, but it's not THAT much better.

Sorry to disagree, but on my system DTS is very noticably better. The surround channels seem to have a full audio track all the time instead of just for effects. I prefer the better audio to special features anytime I have the option. Saving Private Ryan in DTS will blow you away.

Dolby Digital can and does have full audio tracks in the rear as well -- it just depends on how the original movie was mixed. The only essential technical differences between Dolby Digital and DTS is that DTS uses a much lower compression ratio, thus providing higher quality sound and taking up a lot more room on a DVD. I believe DTS also advertises that their soundtracks are recorded with a higher signal-to-noise ratio.

Harlon,
For a "novice" you sure did purchase some high grade equipment! I have the same setup as you, receiver & DVD, go with the DTS DVD, it's all I buy. May I suggest you try Dante's Peak & the Eagles-Hell Freezes Over. You will be amazed!
What speakers are you using?

Thanks for the suggestions Frank. Along with the Sony STR50ES receiver and the 7700 DVD player I purchased the 32" Wega TV, a Sony CX555ES CD player, Polk 7700 speakers, and a Phillip Pronto. It is unbelievable that with all this Sony equipment not one of their remotes controls all of the functions. The Polk speakers sound awesome with the receiver. This is one great system but most of the credit and thanks goes to the people on audioreview.com and remotecentral.com for helping me select the right equipment. I've literally spent hundreds of hours reading the pros and cons of all sorts of equipment and knew the negatives as well as the positives before buying. You've also saved me hundreds of dollars by pointing me to the right places to shop. Now, if I can just convince my wife that all this money I spent was REALLY for her Christmas present. Thanks again.

Frank
That should be Polk 7300 speakers. Their fantastic.

Its not as big of a difference as say analog to DD, but DTS does sound better than DD. Saving Private Ryan will blow your mind as well as your houses foundation. I would definately go for DTS if you have the option. I do like all the extras on DD DVDs but when you hear to clarity of DTS you wont mind not having them.

Hello,

Can someone tell me what I will get if I purchase Saving Private Ryan with DTS, and play it on my Toshiba SD-2109 and a NON-DTS receiver? Will it default to plain 2-channel stereo, or is dolby digital on the disc as well?

The reason that I ask, is that I will be upgrading to a DTS capable receiver in the future, and I would like to purchase DTS discs in the meantime. However, I WOULD like to be able to play them while I am "waiting" to upgrade.

So, what will I get? Just a bunch of hiss, or what?

Thanks.

You'll get Dolby Digital 2.0. Remember, Dolby Digital doesn't indicate the number of channels on a disc, merely the encoding technology. You can get from Dolby Digital Mono up to Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. In this case, DTS discs are typically packaged with a Stereo (probably ProLogic encoded) soundtrack.

On DVDEXPRESS.COM you can purchase 2 different Apollo 13 DVDs. The first is a DTS DVD and under the description it reads that it will play DTS DD 5.1 and DD. The second is a standard DVD and under the description it reads that it will play DD 5.1. I assume that DD 5.1 is different than DD.

There does not seem to be very many DTS DVDs out there and some say this is a dying format-others that it's just beginning. I ASSUME that if you purchase the DTS DVD and play it on a non-DTS system (under DD) you will not get the same sound quality as if you purchased a DD 5.1 DVD.

I hate to have to replace my DTS DVDs if this format dies (if I want a better sound). On the other hand DTS, based upon what I have read, is more dynamic than DD 5.1. Persumably the only way this format will survive is through support. You will also face the same problem if you are going to be playing this your DTS on other systems which don't support DTS. My final conclusion is I guess it boils down to your use and comfort zone.

In my opinion DTS is not a dying format just a slow growing and expensive one, i dont expect it to go away any time soon especially since more than half of the new hollywood movies are encoded with it. If you have the money go for the better sound. Isnt that one of the reasons you purchased your dvd player in the first place?

:)

I find that 95% of Dolby Digital soudtracks sound screechy, thin, grainy and unrealistic. Most DTS stuff I have sounds much better - smoother (not dull), fuller, better bass etc. I actually prefer stereo or Pro-logic PCM discs to DD and would choose quality before surround sound. DTS IMHO gives both and the difference is chalk and cheese.

I think that the grainy part is due to compression and the thin tonal balance is down to mastering technique as the odd DD disc sounds full. Why should this be ? Maybe it keeps the compression efficient ?

My system is Denon AVC-A1D (same as US AVR 5700?), Panasonic DVDA310, Pioneer 925 LD. Front channels go through Naim electronics driving active Linn Isobariks (who needs subwoofers...) or Naim SBLs. Rear speakers are Epos ES14. No centre or sub.

Just to keep things in perspective, my Michell Orbe/SME5/Lyra Clavis DC turntable blows away all the digital sources for sound quality. So much for progress. Lets hope DVD-A or SACD can offer vinyl quality with digital practicality eh ?

A couple months ago I was in Akihabara district of Tokyo in Japan where I heard Sony's SACD, it was absolutley stunning I really felt like there was a live guitarist seven feet in front of me. It blows away stereo system I have ever heard. I might also add beleive it or not that the speakerswere sony's! The only cons I can think of is the price 3500 dollars and that it is only two channels.