DTS Explained
Jan 23 '00 (Updated Mar 02 '00)
Digital Theater Sound or DTS seeks to best duplicate the audio heard as if you where “there.” Like Dolby Digital, it has a 5.1 output format, and process sounds superbly, but that is where their similarities end.
The audio on DTS DVD’s is sonic “clone” of the original film soundtrack. Due to this, the audio on an average DVD takes up three times more “space” than its Dolby Digital (DD) counterpart. (see Dolby Digital Explained, by SirMontego) Since DTS takes up so much of a disc, many DTS version DVD’s do not include other language features like DD discs do.
What you trade in language and other extra features you gain in superior sound. Since a DTS soundtrack is essentially a “master quality” copy of the original print, it does sound better. The most obvious aspect is that it sounds a typical 4dB louder than DD, this is known as signal to noise and dynamic range. Additionally, the individual sounds in a movie, are slightly clearer and crisper. The loud and soft ends of the soundtrack hit deeper, and generally have less “static.” (generally attributed to the 4dB increase in volume) Lastly, the five channels have a more distinct feel to them resulting in less sound mixing of one speaker to another, and the 3-D sound is more pronounced.
The average person will have difficulty in determining if a movie is in DTS or DD merely from listening. But, like speakers, if one compares a DTS version side-by-side to a DD version of the exact same movie the difference will be obvious. I actually did not believe this until I rented a copy of Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan on DD and compared it to my DTS version. The gun shots hit softer on the rental copy, and the explosions seem a little flat. On the other hand, when my father watched it, he did not see any difference. (perhaps I only heard it because I have watch that movie 10 plus times)
This leads me to the ultimate question, should I get DD or DTS? If you plan on purchasing stereo equipment, get the ones with DTS, almost always they have DD capabilities which allows you to decode practically every DVD sound. When purchasing movies buy the DTS version, ALWAYS. Since you speak English, why would you need the extra features? To practice for Spanish class? In fact, many DTS DVDs come with the additional features anyway.
So here’s the summary: DTS is better, always buy DTS when you can, and Dolby Digital is the next best thing to DTS.
--SirMontego, look for me on Battle.net
up next: THX explained
3/2/00 note:
DTS soundtracks are encoded by DTS. Conversely, DD and SDDS encoding are licensed out to the respective filmmakers. What this means is that each individual filmmaker has complete control of his or her own soundtrack on DD and SDDS, but not on DTS. Whether DTS tweaks the sounds for more bass or highs remains to be proven, but the fact is that the director lost control when the soundtrack was sent to be encoded. Due to this “secret encoding” THX does not certify DTS videos because they cannot verify if the recording is an accurate representation of the master.
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