DTS vs DD

billbillw

It varies and really depends on the mastering. The only thing DTS really has is less compression, which can lead to more lifelike sound. If I have the option, I usually choose DTS.

Serendipity

I like DTS over DD due to the lower amounts of compression in DTS. But this varies from recording to recording as bill stated.

auto_pilot

I read somewhere that DTS cranks up the db's so that things sound more defined and louder...but that DD is more dynamic. I can see some merit to DTW cranking up the db's especially the rears. The statement also said that to the naked ear most people will think DTS sounds better, but in reality DD is the better format.

I just find the Center Channel to be more favorable for DTS. The dialogue is clearer, and more distinct...and the Rear Channel effects come out more defined.

cheddar

I've found that studios that bother to put a DTS track on their disks usually remaster the sound as well since they're pitching the perk of an improved sound track. So in my experience, DTS tracks are usually mastered better and end up sounding superior to DD only disks.

That said, neither can compare to lossless tracks such as TrueHD and DTS-MA which uncompress to the original uncompressed tracks and LPCM which was never compressed in the first place. Even DD and DTS sound better on HD disks because they are encoded at the maximum bitrate instead of half the bitrate on regular dvds.

McLoki

Already mentioned:
DTS (on standard DVD's, not HD) has less compression than DD.
DTS is often a few DB louder than a DD track which can fool you into thinking it sounds better. (louder often percieved as sounding better - that is why volume matching is so important when you are at a store auditioning speakers)

Another difference is that night modes (where your AVR reduces the dynamic range of a DVD) does not work on DTS. If someone was to have this enabled on accident or on purpose - the DTS track would seem much more dynamic than a DD track with no changes made on the AVR. (the feature would still be enabled, just would not function when DTS is detected)

That is all I can think of right now anyway.

cheddar

McLoki wrote: »

Already mentioned:
DTS (on standard DVD's, not HD) has less compression than DD.

I know you only meant to comment on standard DVDs. But I believe DD will always be compressed more than DTS with SD or HD disks. On HD DD is encoded at 640kbps with DTS at 1.5 mbps. So the difference is even more noticeable than the 400 something DD or the 800 something DTS bitrates usually found on SD disks (although theoretically, you could encode at the maximum bitrates on SD disks too).

Serendipity

auto_pilot wrote: »

I read somewhere that DTS cranks up the db's so that things sound more defined and louder...but that DD is more dynamic. I can see some merit to DTW cranking up the db's especially the rears. The statement also said that to the naked ear most people will think DTS sounds better, but in reality DD is the better format.

I just find the Center Channel to be more favorable for DTS. The dialogue is clearer, and more distinct...and the Rear Channel effects come out more defined.

I find the dialogue on DTS clearer than DD. I also like DTS due to the lower amounts of compression.