Dolby True HD and DTS HD MA

[goodman]

My gear does not have the capability to decode and play Dolby True HD and DTS HD MA. What is your experience with them compared with Dolby Digital and DTS? I plan to get a BD player with HD decoding and multi-channel analog outputs, but wonder if it's worth the expense.

 

[GlocksRock]

In the past when switching from the dolby digital track to the TrueHD track, I've noticed an immediate difference. Some will argue that they can't hear much of a difference but having lossless audio is never a bad thing, if you can get it, do it!

 

[dkane360]

I was testing the differences between the lossless dolby truehd stereo and just dd stereo, and I could definitely hear the differences.

I'm also in the same boat as you, I've been deciding between getting a blu-ray player with analog outs, or getting a new receiver. I still haven't decided yet, but I want to upgrade asap.

 

[goodman]

In the past when switching from the dolby digital track to the TrueHD track, I've noticed an immediate difference. Some will argue that they can't hear much of a difference but having lossless audio is never a bad thing, if you can get it, do it!

Would you explain the difference that you hear?

 

[goodman]

I was testing the differences between the lossless dolby truehd stereo and just dd stereo, and I could definitely hear the differences.

I'm also in the same boat as you, I've been deciding between getting a blu-ray player with analog outs, or getting a new receiver. I still haven't decided yet, but I want to upgrade asap.

I didn't even know there was such a thing as dolby true hd stereo. I thought it was only multi-channel. Please describe the difference that you hear.

My current plan is to upgrade the BD player first to get the sound codecs. Then, after my stimulus package arrives, replace my nine-year-old projector with a new 1080p, hook the video from the BD player directly to the projector via hdmi and continue playing the audio through the analog outs into my ancient receiver.

 

[dkane360]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as dolby true hd stereo. I thought it was only multi-channel. Please describe the difference that you hear.

My current plan is to upgrade the BD player first to get the sound codecs. Then, after my stimulus package arrives, replace my nine-year-old projector with a new 1080p, hook the video from the BD player directly to the projector via hdmi and continue playing the audio through the analog outs into my ancient receiver.

Well it wasnt Dolby TrueHD per say, it was LPCM stereo from the Dolby truehd files. If you've ever heard the difference between an mp3 at 128kbps and a flac copy of the same song, its a similar experience. The lossless just sounds more defined and detailed, and I wasn't using the best of speakers either. Plus, having the lossless codecs will give me a reason to hang up some awesome Dolby TrueHD + DTS HD Master Audio posters

 

[GlocksRock]

Would you explain the difference that you hear?

It just sounds better overall, fuller, more dynamic, and has more overall presence.

 

[bsheasby]

I know this is an older post, but I'll chime in here. I actually had the receiver capable of these formats before getting Blu-ray. I finally got aBlu-ray player, and I knew the Video would be amazing, but I was actually most impressed by the Audio using these codecs. Incredible dynamic range, and I seemed to be able to push the volume more without it sounding harsh. Very 'clean' and incredibly dynamic. I honestly did not expect to even notice a difference, but it's definitely there and it was noticeable.

 

[PENG]

Older post or not I always find this kind of topic interesting. I won't argue with anyone on whether the difference is noticeable. I can only tell you according to my own experience the difference is definitely not noticeable to people who are not too picky. If you ask your friends who are not too keen on AV gear to A/B the lossy and lossless tracks 10 times, they will likely give you the correct answers 5/10. Basically you have to listen hard to appreciate the subtile differences, it is not like the difference you will get going from FM radio to CD (I mean a nicely recorded CD).

 

[GlocksRock]

I'm sure how noticeable the difference is also depends on your gear as well... if you have crappy speakers, you will have crappy sound regardless of whether the audio is lossy or lossless... not saying anyone here has crappy gear, I'm just saying...

 

[billy p]

I'm sure how noticeable the difference is also depends on your gear as well... if you have crappy speakers, you will have crappy sound regardless of whether the audio is lossy or lossless... not saying anyone here has crappy gear, I'm just saying...

I don't know if my gear is crappy or not....but most of the people I know(family or friends)don't care or they just can't really tell the difference and for the most part those people don't even know what to listen for...just saying....

 

[GlocksRock]

I'm sure it's also more noticeable on some discs than others.

 

[bsheasby]

I will say that the difference is far less noticeable at lower volume levels - very hard to tell, but as the volume increases, that's where the increased dynamic range and resolution comes into play for me. With the lossless codecs, the harshness/distortion that I hear at high volume levels with Dolby Digital just isn't there. I also agree with the above comment that your equipment definitely will have something to do with it, particularly as the volume increases (and billy_p does not have crappy gear! ). I'm sure you're right that most people would never really notice much difference or at least be able to articulate it. Then again, this also could all be in my head also.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA are superior JUST BECAUSE alright?

End of discussion.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You can't tell because you have crappy speakers....

Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA are superior JUST BECAUSE alright?

End of discussion.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You can't tell because you have crappy speakers....

Just come out of the closet and admit once and for all that you are jealous of my speakers, okay? Just come right out. Get it off your chest.

Why... if you had my mighty King Kong towers, you woudn't even need those girly sissy subs and amps of yours.

Then you would have more time to build some manly computers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I did look at Trinity subs recently but Clocksrock said the world would end if I got one.

Did you know that I went back to consumer level subs?
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64933&page=39

Just come out of the closet and admit once and for all that you are jealous of my speakers, okay? Just come right out. Get it off your chest.

Why... if you had my mighty King Kong towers, you woudn't even need those girly sissy subs and amps of yours.

Then you would have more time to build some manly computers.

 

[krzywica]

I can tell a difference......its subtle in the mid and high range but the low's its extremely noticable. Much cleaner and controlled.

 

[croseiv]

Some of the lossless tracks are better, and some aren't. It's not always better to go lossless.

 

[avliner]

Agree with you on that one!

Tell you what, my current audio reference concerts are:

DVD = Eagles - Live in Melbourne ( put several BD concerts to shame ), and
BD = Roy Orbison - Black & White Night ( put several BD's to shame as well ).