film vs dvd sound quality

[mocwilson]

i have had this question floating around in my head for some time now, i was wondering how much fedelity do we loose when a movie is transferd to dvd, or is it comparible at all. i guess what im really wondering is what do they do to films soundtrack when they transfer it to dvd, all i now is that there is some sort of re-mixing that gose on.

thanks

 

[tbewick]

This is a rather interesting question. I read a comparison of DVD versus 35 mm film available here:

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/articles/hccarticles/dvdarticles/199909DVDVs35mm/199909DVDVs35mm.php

To summarise what the article says, on reference quality equipment the sound from DVD will probably be better than in a cinema. This of course is if you were to playback both 35 mm and DVD in a theatre. The reason for this is that the decoders and equipment used in a typical cinema will be older and less advanced than the latest top-range A/V equipment.

When film soundtrack is transferred to DVD, then in some instances it is remixed so that it is more suitable for playback in a normal home. Other times, it is not remixed. This is one of the reasons for THX re-equaliser, as this broadly compensates for the differences in set up between a home cinema set up and a theatre. You can read more about this here:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_2/feature-article-curves-6-2002.html