Audio formats

[EddieG]

What is the difference between the newer lossless audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD) and the old Dolby digital 5.1? As an example can you tell me what I would hear differently if I had a movie playing with TrueHD on blu ray or digital 5.1 on a dvd?

Thanks!

 

[Pyrrho]

The difference you will hear will depend on many things. Most likely, it will be a different mix, and usually, when they remix things, they get it a bit better than before. You might also be interested in this:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51095

 

[mr-ben]

The difference between the lossless formats and the older DTS/DD formats is akin to the difference between a CD and an MP3 made from that CD. If you prefer the sound of the original CD, you'll prefer the sound of the lossless formats. If they sound the same to you, then the new formats likely won't be an improvement.

 

[deedubb]

The way I understand it, in general terms, lossless audio is bit for bit identical to the master. "Lossy" audio, or the old Dolby Digital eliminates data that is deemed to be non essential. Perhaps it might be sound that is outside the spectrum that is audible by the human ear or it may be other data. It varies on each movie. Is there a huge difference? I don't really know. You would have to do an A/B test of blu-ray vs standard DVD of the same movie. Maybe there isn't a significant audible difference and it's all just hype. Anyone know of any blinded A/B tests results out there?

 

[sptrout]

Here are links to two very good articles that explain lossless audio and the new lossless CODECs:

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Joshua_Zyber/High-Def_FAQ:_Uncompressed_vs._Lossless_Audio/1233

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=41820