Connecting dts++ to "normal" dts

[malky]

Hello everyone!
I'm new here and I have a question.
I have a new blu-ray player by Sony, which has the dts hd master audio (dts++ as I understand it). I also have a rather old Yamaha RX-V795 with a built-in dts decoder.
The options I have for connecting them are so:
1. Six separate RCA cables - entirely analogue (because the blu-ray has a built-in decoder).
2. An optical cable.

My question is about option 2: Optical cable.
The blu-ray is a dts master audio, whereas the Yamaha is only "dts".
Will this cause damage or quality reduction when I connect it like so?
What option is better in general?
Thanks very much.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

In my opinion, neither approach is clearly better in general. Here are some thoughts:

• Depending on your set up and yourself, you may or may not be able to tell a difference between DTS and DTS-HD MA.
• Your receiver won't perform bass management when using the multi-channel analog inputs. If the blu-ray player does as good of a job with that, then that's not an issue. Keep in mind that you'll need the blu-ray player to downmix (I'm assuming that it can do this) any 7.1 DTS-HD MA tracks to 5.1 for your receiver.
• The optical cable is easier to connect than six analog cables (I like easy ).

Something that applies to my receiver but not yours is that my equalizer settings aren't applied to the multi-channel inputs, and that's probably the biggest reason that I'd go with the optical connection and regular DTS. You don't have that issue, though.

My suggestion would be to try both if that's not too much hassle and you have the cables. That will let you compare the two for yourself.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Best option is #1.

Hi Malky and Welcome to the club.

If your Sony Blu-Ray player is the model 550 or similar, I recommend that you use your #1 option, which is using the six interconnnect cables between your Sony Blu-Ray player and your Yamaha RX-V795 A/V Receiver.

In this scenario, your Sony Blu-Ray player will perform the decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA soundtracks (using it's own bass management), and output it as is to your RX-V795 Receiver through the Mutichannel analog input. You will benefit of the full high resolution of these new audio codecs.

If you use the digital Optical output from your Sony Blu-Ray player, you will only get DD or DTS (depending of the soundtrack audio codec) bland audio compressed resolution.

So as you can see, you're still better with option #1, even if it's more complicated (six cables instead of just one), and the not so complete internal bass management from the Sony Blu-Ray player; because you do still get the full high resolution of these new audio codecs from Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.
That's my sincere opinion.

Regards,

Bob

 

[anamorphic96]

Option 1 is good as long as your player has the appropriate bass management for your system.

Option 2 - Keep in mind if you do use option 2 you will be hearing Dolby Digital at its full bit rate of 640k and DTS at 1.5k which is a higher resolution than what DVD's where capable of.

Some even feel that most people would have a hard time distinguishing between the regualar lossy codecs at their full bit rate compared to the lossless counterparts.

 

[jostenmeat]

Option 2 - Keep in mind if you do use option 2 you will be hearing Dolby Digital at its full bit rate of 640k and DTS at 1.5k which is a higher resolution than what DVD's where capable of.

The point is well taken, but the second half of your statement is not exactly true. Here are two partial lists of DVDs that offered 1.5mps.

12 Monkeys (Universal) 1509kbps
Antz (DreamWorks) 1509kbps Discontinued
Apollo 13 (Universal) 1509kbps Discontinued (the anniversarry edition is 754kbps)
Babe (Universal. Warning: Pan and Scan) 1509kbps Discontinued
Born on the Fourth of July (Universal) 1509kbps Discontinued (special edition is 754kbps)
Boxer, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Dances With Wolves (Image Entertainment) 1509kbps Discontinued
Dragonheart (Universal) 1509kbps
EdTV (Universal) 1509kbps
Flintstones, The (Universal) 1509kbps
For Richer or Poorer (Universal) 1509kbps
Galaxy Quest (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Lethal Weapon (Warner) 1509kbps
Lethal Weapon 2 (Warner) 1509kbps
Lethal Weapon 3 (Warner) 1509kbps
Liar Liar (Universal. Warning: Pan and Scan) 1509kbps
Little Rascals, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Mercury Rising (Universal) 1509kbps
Mouse Hunt (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Nutty Professor, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Out of Sight (Universal) 1509kbps
Passion of the Christ, The (20th Century Fox) 1509kbps Canada/754kbps US Standard and Definitive Edition
Peacemaker, The (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Primary Colors (Universal) 1509kbps
Re-Animator: Millennium Edition (Elite Entertainment) 1509kbps Discontinued
River Wild, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Shadow, The (Universal. Warning: Pan and Scan) 1509kbps
Small Soldiers (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Thin Red Line, The (20th Century Fox) 1509kbps
Virus (Universal) 1509kbps

Amistad (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Dante's Peak (Universal) 1509kbps
Daylight (Universal) 1509kbps
Interview with the Vampire (Warner) 1509kbps
Jackal, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Patch Adams (Universal) 1509kbps Discontinued
Paulie (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Prince of Egypt, The (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Super Speedway: The Mach II Special Edition (Image Entertainment) 1509kbps
Twister (Warner) 1509kbps
Waterworld (Universal) 1509kbps

Some even feel that most people would have a hard time distinguishing between the regualar lossy codecs at their full bit rate compared to the lossless counterparts.

I'd also agree for "sound effects". I have the very strong impression that when someone says that there is a "night and day" difference, it's simply because different masters were used between the lossy and lossless. I can't say for 100% certain, but TDK is probably one, just going by how vastly different the two sound.

The closer call may* reside with DTS tracks, as the core is always being used.

 

[Lordoftherings]

You're amazing Jostenmeat.

Wow! Jostenmeat, you did type all of these titles! Unbelievable man.
You could have just as easily provide the ditto link.

That's what I called precision service.

Yep, some people go to extreme length just to provide the best information possible. No wonder they called this site Audioholics.
And with a bunch of people like us, it's a great team that works very well in favor of our members and newcomers too.

Bravo to you and also to anamorphic96.

Bob

 

[Adam]

Wow! Jostenmeat, you did type all of these titles! Unbelievable man.

He's the man, no question - but I'm guessing that he copied and pasted.

 

[anamorphic96]

The point is well taken, but the second half of your statement is not exactly true. Here are two partial lists of DVDs that offered 1.5mps.

12 Monkeys (Universal) 1509kbps
Antz (DreamWorks) 1509kbps Discontinued
Apollo 13 (Universal) 1509kbps Discontinued (the anniversarry edition is 754kbps)
Babe (Universal. Warning: Pan and Scan) 1509kbps Discontinued
Born on the Fourth of July (Universal) 1509kbps Discontinued (special edition is 754kbps)
Boxer, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Dances With Wolves (Image Entertainment) 1509kbps Discontinued
Dragonheart (Universal) 1509kbps
EdTV (Universal) 1509kbps
Flintstones, The (Universal) 1509kbps
For Richer or Poorer (Universal) 1509kbps
Galaxy Quest (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Lethal Weapon (Warner) 1509kbps
Lethal Weapon 2 (Warner) 1509kbps
Lethal Weapon 3 (Warner) 1509kbps
Liar Liar (Universal. Warning: Pan and Scan) 1509kbps
Little Rascals, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Mercury Rising (Universal) 1509kbps
Mouse Hunt (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Nutty Professor, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Out of Sight (Universal) 1509kbps
Passion of the Christ, The (20th Century Fox) 1509kbps Canada/754kbps US Standard and Definitive Edition
Peacemaker, The (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Primary Colors (Universal) 1509kbps
Re-Animator: Millennium Edition (Elite Entertainment) 1509kbps Discontinued
River Wild, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Shadow, The (Universal. Warning: Pan and Scan) 1509kbps
Small Soldiers (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Thin Red Line, The (20th Century Fox) 1509kbps
Virus (Universal) 1509kbps

Amistad (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Dante's Peak (Universal) 1509kbps
Daylight (Universal) 1509kbps
Interview with the Vampire (Warner) 1509kbps
Jackal, The (Universal) 1509kbps
Patch Adams (Universal) 1509kbps Discontinued
Paulie (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Prince of Egypt, The (DreamWorks) 1509kbps
Super Speedway: The Mach II Special Edition (Image Entertainment) 1509kbps
Twister (Warner) 1509kbps
Waterworld (Universal) 1509kbps



I'd also agree for "sound effects". I have the very strong impression that when someone says that there is a "night and day" difference, it's simply because different masters were used between the lossy and lossless. I can't say for 100% certain, but TDK is probably one, just going by how vastly different the two sound.

The closer call may* reside with DTS tracks, as the core is always being used.

You are correct and I should have worded that differently. But if I'm not mistaken that when they do provide these higher bit rates they tend to cut out most of the extras.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Anyway, option #1 is still the best.

So, it ain't matter anymore where you guys are aiming.