Anyone else find themselves doing this ?

mrbigbluelight
mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,830
edited March 2006 in Music & Movies
We were at Walgreens the other day, and we passed by the DVD Bargain Bin.

Actually found some decent movies at give-away prices. We passed on them because they didn't have DTS.

We'd dig throught the pile, find a good one, and we'd wind up flipping to the back to see if it had DTS. If it did, it went in the cart. If not, back in the pile.

"Dad, this only has 5.1, not DTS. <crunch ..... back into the pile>".

For some reason, that just isn't right. 5.1 isn't good enough ? We're passing up good movies and we'll watch Jurassic Park III (not I or II, they're not in DTS) for the 110th time just because it's awesome in DTS.

......man, those dinosaurs stomping around throught the woods, though....and the Trex and Triceratops fight ! WOW !!!

Is there a cure for this sickness ?
Sal Palooza
Post edited by mrbigbluelight on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    Actually you can get I and II in DTS. (I have them.)

    Keep looking.

    Michael

    It is the collectors edition you need to look for
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2006
    yep, did the same thing @ Walmart this past Sunday, I dug all the way to the bottom of the bin,,got 5,christmas shopping done early :)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Strong Bad
    Strong Bad Posts: 4,278
    edited March 2006
    Same here. If I know there is a DTS version, I'll pass on the DD bargain bin version.
    No excuses!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2006
    I do the same thing, and my friends find it ungodly annoying.

    "Hey, how about this one? You said you wanted it."

    "Does it have DTS?"

    "No..."

    "Fine, I don't want it then."

    "Okay....."

    The only time I buy non-DTS is if I know there isn't one and I like the movie.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,830
    edited March 2006
    I don't know how I missed that off of amazon.com.

    Actually got 8 DTS DVD's in the mail last week from Amazon after doing a "superbit" and "DTS" search. Going to go upstairs and watch "Snatch" as soon as I get off the computer.

    My kids'll thank you.

    ("Hey, guys ! We can get Jurassic I and II in DTS !!!")

    :)
    Sal Palooza
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,083
    edited March 2006
    Nope.....if your depending on the soundtrack to make the movie, chances are, the movie sucks.

    Bogart don't need no stinking DTS.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited March 2006
    TroyD wrote:
    Nope.....if your depending on the soundtrack to make the movie, chances are, the movie sucks.

    Bogart don't need no stinking DTS.

    BDT


    AMEN, brudda!!!!
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2006
    I haven't gotten that fussy yet, I'm so impressed with the sound of DVD movies over crappy VHS. I'm 2-channel anyway..
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2006
    Sountracks enhance movies, that's why I am into Home Theatre. DTS is better to my ears, but some people don't prefer it because it's pumps out more bass. I won't buy a movie in DD when I can get the same movie in DTS.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mldennison
    mldennison Posts: 307
    edited March 2006
    i guess i am more of a music guy too. unless it is one of my favorite movies, i will go with the bargain copy with the dd soundtrack. the thing i dont like about getting the "special edition" which is usually the only one with dts is that you also are paying for that "extras" disc with all the stuff i never watch.

    you gotta love the bargin bins though, there is one at my supermarket, last week i picked up some milk, eggs and the $5 "spies like us" dvd :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2006
    It Reely does not matter to me, if it has a DTS track I will use it just to use something different.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited March 2006
    I never check. I like movies and just buy anything I think I might like.
    I even buy from the $1.00 bin at target. I can get 2 Bob Hope or Abbot and Costello movies for one dollar. I think thats cool for a Sat. afternoon with the kids.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited March 2006
    I love DTS but I won't pass up a movie because it does not have it.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited March 2006
    A deal is a deal. dts gets top billing in my house, but my tendencies to be frugal preceed my ears. However, if a movie is available in both, I always go for dts.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • daniel_paul_
    daniel_paul_ Posts: 189
    edited March 2006
    Shizelbs wrote:
    A deal is a deal. dts gets top billing in my house, but my tendencies to be frugal preceed my ears. However, if a movie is available in both, I always go for dts.


    I'll second that
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited March 2006
    Skynut wrote:
    I never check. I like movies and just buy anything I think I might like.
    I even buy from the $1.00 bin at target. I can get 2 Bob Hope or Abbot and Costello movies for one dollar. I think thats cool for a Sat. afternoon with the kids.

    That's how I turn my boy's onto the world of "The Three Stooges", "A & C", the "Marx Bros.", etc, etc. The good ole dollar bin. Every once in a whjle, you'll come across a classic.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drumingman
    Drumingman Posts: 348
    edited March 2006
    Everybody loves Snatch
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited March 2006
    I've actually noticed that I like DD over DTS on a few titles, but prefer DTS overall if available...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2006
    Whats the difference between DD and DTS?
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2006
    MacLeod wrote:
    Whats the difference between DD and DTS?

    It's hard to say because both companies have been sniping at eachother since 1993, which is when DTS first made it on the scene (DD in 1992).

    I can hear a difference, and my ears tell me DTS is better, and since I think sound quality in a movie helps any movie -- I always buy the DTS track when it's available, but I never pass on a movie because it's not DTS.

    It's really one of those things that is up for debate forever and ever, but the DTS side will win most of the time because they claim they can hear a difference, and that it's for the better. There are always some that say they can't, like one poster did above, but that's a minority figure from what I have seen with my friends and others.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited March 2006
    I havent done any critical listening between the two but I have noticed what seems to be a little more treble on DTS. I do know that I seem to like DTS better and use it on the movies I have with it, however I havent noticed enough of a difference to pass up on a flick just because it doesnt have it.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2006
    MacLeod wrote:
    I havent done any critical listening between the two but I have noticed what seems to be a little more treble on DTS. I do know that I seem to like DTS better and use it on the movies I have with it, however I havent noticed enough of a difference to pass up on a flick just because it doesnt have it.

    I will never pass on a movie for not having it. The difference isn't that big, but for me it's the difference between a dish of ice cream, and one that has whip cream, chocolate sauce, and a cherry in it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited March 2006
    DD has about 12 to 1 compression ratio. DTS has about 3 to 1. (both are considered a lossy compression scheme. Similar to MP3's at different bit rates.)

    Other than that, DTS is typically louder than DD at the same reciever setting. (I can't remember how much, but maybe 10db?)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,830
    edited March 2006
    http://www.spannerworks.net/reference/10_1a.asp


    The talk of older classics has given me the need to go searching for "Forbidden Planet".
    Sal Palooza
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited March 2006
    From the Spannerworks article: Under identical mastering conditions the two systems should be nearly indistinguishable from one another.


    It is in the mastering/mixing that you here the differences. Just like SACD/Redbook, more bits doesn't automatically make it better. I listen to the particular format that sounds better on my system and I can assure you that DTS doesn't have a decided edge over DD. It truly does depend on the mastering of each individual disc since I never fell into the "more bass is better" trap. DTS does tend to mix about 3-5 dbs hotter in the bass, but as I stated earlier, a hotter mix is simply out of calibration.

    What I do find myself doing is buying those that have both tracks so I can choose myself.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2006
    Dennis Gardner wrote:
    From the Spannerworks article: Under identical mastering conditions the two systems should be nearly indistinguishable from one another.


    It is in the mastering/mixing that you here the differences. Just like SACD/Redbook, more bits doesn't automatically make it better. I listen to the particular format that sounds better on my system and I can assure you that DTS doesn't have a decided edge over DD. It truly does depend on the mastering of each individual disc since I never fell into the "more bass is better" trap. DTS does tend to mix about 3-5 dbs hotter in the bass, but as I stated earlier, a hotter mix is simply out of calibration.

    What I do find myself doing is buying those that have both tracks so I can choose myself.

    DTS claims that they don't, so I guess this argument could go on forever.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited March 2006
    i heard somewhere (yeah yeah i know) that DTS runs their surrounds hot by 3db as well.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited March 2006
    Depends on the movie. If it's an action flick, DTS is more impportant to me.

    bluelight,
    Why pay Amazon prices, as good as they are, when Columbia DVD Club is in the world?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited March 2006
    Tour2ma wrote:
    Depends on the movie. If it's an action flick, DTS is more important to me.


    I tend to agree with Bruce on the action flick thing. This is due to bass tracks for the most part with me, though not surround usage.

    The best use of surround I have ever heard so far is the DD 5.1 of Darkness Falls. A lack luster horror flick in general, but worth the price of purchase just to show off the resolution of your surround setup. Sounds come from 20 feet outside the physical room in the movie and I have never figured out how they got this effect but when you hear it, your jaw will drop, guaranteed!!
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited March 2006
    Dennis Gardner wrote:
    I tend to agree with Bruce on the action flick thing. This is due to bass tracks for the most part with me, though not surround usage.

    The best use of surround I have ever heard so far is the DD 5.1 of Darkness Falls. A lack luster horror flick in general, but worth the price of purchase just to show off the resolution of your surround setup. Sounds come from 20 feet outside the physical room in the movie and I have never figured out how they got this effect but when you hear it, your jaw will drop, guaranteed!!

    That movie had some crazy good sound in it. I didn't bring up the movie because I would be embarassed. Movie had some good potential too. That part where they show the main character as a kid in the house where his mom dies was pretty intense.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter