Transformers

[mtrycrafts]

Ok, just picked up the SD DVD.
So now I can test the 'audio' problems people complain about.

For those that recall, I had 4 of these on HD DVD. (sold 2)
And did get around to checking that both of the 2 I still had, were the same.

For those that have no clue what I am saying....
Some people claim that their HD DVD disc was really lacking in the bass dept.
And I had bought 4 of them from different sources, just to check the audio.

Will get around to the SD DVD tomorrow night, for comparison..

I also picked up the SD version and finally had a good chance to compare.
It seems to me that the sound track on SD may be a bit louder or not, but the HD turned up 2 more dBs than the SD gave some rather impressive audio The shock waves are fine, window blow outs are the same, and even the tank drop has good sounds.
So, I am now happy but it needs to be viewed like this on select occasions only

 

[mike c]

I'm one of those that complained that the bass was lacking, but to me, it was more of the master mix being inadequate and not a matter of the format. e.g. tanks getting blown up should have more bass, shockwaves from the first helicopter decepticon should have more chest slam (like that of the minority report DTS demo - the actual DTS disc movie has LESS bass)

 

[Gasman]

And all four of yours on HD sounded fine to you?

2 of them were sold (sealed), so no those 2 were not checked, by me.
The other 2 I do have here, as well the SD version.

The 2 (HD DVDs) that I have here are both fine. One was bought from Brandsmart, the other from Circuit City.
I've noticed NO discrepancies between the 2.

I did get around to testing the SD version briefly last night, but did not pop in the HD version. As well, I have to find my SPL meter (should be in the tool box????)
Will do tonight.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm one of those that complained that the bass was lacking, but to me, it was more of the master mix being inadequate and not a matter of the format. e.g. tanks getting blown up should have more bass, shockwaves from the first helicopter decepticon should have more chest slam (like that of the minority report DTS demo - the actual DTS disc movie has LESS bass)

Well, the shock wave may be of very low frequency? It would be nice to get that part closely analyzed as to fr content. But, it had a good feel to it. Even the tank drop registered on the amp power meter very well.
I guess if your subs are not boomy, these scenes might sound lacking

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I have no idea where you guys are coming from when complaining about this soundtrack. I have not watched the HD version, but the std version soundtrack was insane. Even the transformer voices could be felt deep down!! My SVS loved this one!!

 

[Gasman]

I did get around to testing the SD version briefly last night, but did not pop in the HD version. As well, I have to find my SPL meter (should be in the tool box????)
Will do tonight.

Ok sorry for the late response...
I did get around to testing both. For the most part, the numbers I am showing will be irrelative to anyones setup (except the difference in the numbers)

For the most part, I would say there is a 2 to 3db difference in mastering the audio. (+ 4db ~max difference for SD DVD)

Granted the HD DVD is cleaner sounding, but the bass output will be about -3 to -4db with all setting being equal.

Here is what I came up with (remember, my numbers will have no relative comparison to anyone elses setup)
AVR was set the same (not touched) setting were.
AVR master volume at -25, SW @ -7
Sub gain at 1/4, both ports open setup for max spl at 25Hz.
SPL meter was setup 2 feet above floor, and exactly 4 feet from sub (to help keep other speakers from interference=see pic) on the tri-pod.
Also this by no means was testing for max SPL.
The disc player used for both was not changed at all, and both were played in the HD-XA1.



HD DVD
Title menu 75db to peaks of 82db
Scene 2 @ 2:03 to 2:13 helicopter scene peaks at 86db
Sonic boom scene @ 6:48 peeks at 88db but at 6:41 peaked louder at 90db.

SD DVD
Title menu 70db to peaks of 76db (roughly -5db under HD DVD)
scene 2 @ 2:03 to 2:13 helicopter scene peaks at 87/88db (roughly +2db over HD DVD)
sonic boom scene @ 6:48/6:49 peeks at 92db but at 6:41 hit 96db (roughly +4db averaged between the 2 scenes for SD DVD)

For a little fun, I placed the SPL meter at my sitting distance (and this # is not relative at all).
But at my normal listening (for movies) at -15 in AVR, the helicopter scene hits 104db, the sonic boom hit 106db, and the blast just before the sonic boom (at 6:41) hit 108db.
This is by no means loud, when compared to when I use the Darla scene for demo (it hits 112+db with SPL meter at sitting distance of 12~13 feet) granted, that is not my normal listening volume.
As well, I have NEVER maxed out the sub, the gain never gets touched and stays at 1/4. Just the AVR is used for adjustment.


Anyway, in conclusion, the diffenece is minor and can easily be adjusted for a hotter bass by turning up your master volume level in your AVR up a few db, for the HD DVD.
Granted, the cleaner sound from the HD DVD is much more worth it, IMO. (as well the superior PQ)

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks. While the actual numbers may not be relevant to others, the differences are, thanks.
That is about what I seem to have experienced comparing the two but in the beginning, with no SD to compare, things just didn't seem right There we go with those feelings again.

 

[masak_aer]

To All Transformers Fan: Meet the Mobile Transformer...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/811523/ufo_mobile_transformer/

 

[mike c]

I'm one of those that complained that the bass was lacking, but to me, it was more of the master mix being inadequate and not a matter of the format. e.g. tanks getting blown up should have more bass, shockwaves from the first helicopter decepticon should have more chest slam (like that of the minority report DTS demo - the actual DTS disc movie has LESS bass)

Well, the shock wave may be of very low frequency? It would be nice to get that part closely analyzed as to fr content. But, it had a good feel to it. Even the tank drop registered on the amp power meter very well.
I guess if your subs are not boomy, these scenes might sound lacking

now i know why. dynamic range limiter was ON on my HD DVD. i swear i will kill the guy who set the default to auto (on these players) with a freakin chopstick.

i'm gonna have to watch transformers again. and all my friggin HD movies.

I have no idea where you guys are coming from when complaining about this soundtrack. I have not watched the HD version, but the std version soundtrack was insane. Even the transformer voices could be felt deep down!! My SVS loved this one!!

apparently, dvd players don't have the dynamic range limiter thing.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

now i know why. dynamic range limiter was ON on my HD DVD. i swear i will kill the guy who set the default to auto (on these players) with a freakin chopstick.

i'm gonna have to watch transformers again. and all my friggin HD movies.



apparently, dvd players don't have the dynamic range limiter thing.

I don't think it will help because my HD-XA1 HD DVD Dynamic Range Limiter was set to OFF, and the bass was still lacking. I had the same lacking bass problem on the Blu-ray version.

Okay, I mean in REAL life, sure, a shockwave may be 10Hz. But this is a movie. Let's get some bass with the shockwave.

You guys heard the soundwave scene on the new HULK BD, right?

Can you imagine what it would be like if it sounded like Transformers?

 

[Nomo]

I don't think it will help because my HD-XA1 HD DVD Dynamic Range Limiter was set to OFF, and the bass was still lacking. I had the same lacking bass problem on the Blu-ray version.

Okay, I mean in REAL life, sure, a shockwave may be 10Hz. But this is a movie. Let's get some bass with the shockwave.

You guys heard the soundwave scene on the new HULK BD, right?

Can you imagine what it would be like if it sounded like Transformers?

I had the same experience when I watched it on HD-DVD.
The LFE was very disappointing. I kept turning up the sub level, only to find you can't really turn up what's barely there to begin with.