Who Collects DVD's Just Because Of DTS Track?

[kar10]

I'm currently getting cought into buying dvd's that I haven't seen or don't like just because it has a DTS Audio Track.

[PixyJunket]

I buy DVDs to watch movies.

[Skyler]

Don't buy a bad movie BECAUSE of DTS.

Don't pass on a good movie because it LACKS DTS.

When you have a choice, choose DTS almost always.

[Walter Neff]

I don't even know which movies I buy have DTS and which don't. I have a system that can handle DTS, but I buy DVDs of movies I like. If it has a DTS track (and few I buy do, since I tend to favor older films), all the better.

[Grolim]

DTS is definitely a selling point for me.

[emhello]

Yep I only buy DVDs based on the DTS track.

[Mountain Biker]

It's a definite plus, but I'm not obsessed to the point where I'm buying dvds of movies I don't like just because it has a DTS track on it.

[TomOpus]

Yep, what Mr. Biker said :)

[Doughboy]

Well, I did pick up The Haunting the other day because of the DTS track. I didn't really care for the movie, but it was only 7 bucks and change, and I remember being blown away by the audio demo the day I bought my sound system.

So in short, I'd have to say yes. :)

[Skyler]

Yep I only buy DVDs based on the DTS track.

You are sure missing out on a lot of AWESOME material. Many, many cases the Dolby Digital is superior to the DTS track. If you take the time to set the speaker levels accurately, you will understand. That being said, 8-10 times I prefer the DTS.

[Loc Nar]

After I got a SVS PC-Ultra, I suddenly became much more aware of the value of DTS tracks. I hate to admit it, but I bought Behind Enemy Lines yesterday (used for $6.99) solely because of the DTS track. I have heard it's a mediocre movie at best, but I'm itching to put some jet DTS afterburners through their paces on my system.

[DonnachaOne]

Originally posted by kar10
Who Collects DVD's Just Because Of DTS Track? Idiots/People with too much money/Both.

[demonio]

I'm a sucker for buying cheap movies if they have a DTS track on it.

[SideShow]

I understand getting caught up in things that give you the most from your home theater... but I can't understand buying a movie you'd otherwise pass up JUST because it has a better audio track. To each their own though! Basically the "nice" version of what DonnachaOne said :)

[Big Worms]

Originally posted by Mountain Biker
It's a definite plus, but I'm not obsessed to the point where I'm buying dvds of movies I don't like just because it has a DTS track on it.

Excatly. Heck you will miss out on some great movies if you did that.

[Loc Nar]

Originally posted by demonio
I'm a sucker for buying cheap movies if they have a DTS track on it.

It gets really hard to lay off it when the price of the DVD is LESS than it cost you to eat lunch.

[fumanstan]

I think its stupid to buy a DVD just because of DTS when there are a lot of movies that really don't take advantage of DTS and are mostly dialogue. Something like Master and Commander? Definitely. Out of Sight? Not so much.

[tommyp007]

Originally posted by Skyler
Don't buy a bad movie BECAUSE of DTS.

Don't pass on a good movie because it LACKS DTS.

When you have a choice, choose DTS almost always.

yep.

[kar10]

Originally posted by fumanstan
I think its stupid to buy a DVD just because of DTS when there are a lot of movies that really don't take advantage of DTS and are mostly dialogue. Something like Master and Commander? Definitely. Out of Sight? Not so much.

There are some that I haven't seen and bestbuy is currently selling 3 for $20 in packages of 3.

The deal is so good that I was very close to buying them earlier.


The Siege (dts)
The Thin Red Line (dts)
Courage Under Fire (dts)

[Flynn]

I have to admit, I am more prone to buy a DVD I already want if it has DTS. I like the DTS sound on my system - but I won't buy a movie I don't like just b/c of the sound.

[chipmac]

Originally posted by Loc Nar
After I got a SVS PC-Ultra, I suddenly became much more aware of the value of DTS tracks. I hate to admit it, but I bought Behind Enemy Lines yesterday (used for $6.99) solely because of the DTS track. I have heard it's a mediocre movie at best, but I'm itching to put some jet DTS afterburners through their paces on my system.

Can I ask what that value is? Granted I haven't upgraded my cheap ass sub to an SVS yet but the LFE on DTS is sometimes a bit hotter. Also the entire track is usually mixed louder so what did you gain with the SVS that equalling out the level can't get you on a DD track?

For the record I only go for DTS discs when it's definitely a better mix. I buy for the A/V quality and not how it's labeled.

[jarofclay73]

I just bought a home theater system and now I'm going back to see which of my titles actually have DTS and I'm finding that a LOT of the movie I already bought have DTS on them. But, I didn't buy them for the DTS soundtrack. But, I DID do some forward thinking and bought Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan in DTS format for cheap knowing someday I'll get a sound system.

[boe]

If I know a movie is being released with a DTS track, I'll always wait for that version. I hate it when a movie is released a year later in DTS because I have double dipped for a few.

"DD sounds just as good, it is the effort they put into the recording mix that makes the difference, yada yada yada" - Whatever - to me 90% of the time when I switch to DTS it sounds better (not just louder). And yes I have calibrated my system thoroughly and yes I have a pretty high end system - I'm an engineer, I could do no less.

I understand the compression nature of recording, so please let's not go there. I've read so many threads where one person mentions the technical specs regarding compression while another counters with details on the equipment and so forth. Most read like an argument between a woman and a guy. No real common thread and totally different aspects of the topic. I don't think I've read one where anyone mentions apples to apples. Or they pick one minor detail instead of comparing all the specs that are involved in the mix.

I'd suggest searching the web for actual comparisons by professionals, not just some argumentative issues by people who are very zealous about what is better. The truth is both can be very good and both can be very bad. I could care less about why the DTS track is usually better on the DVD's I own, all I care about is getting the best DVD I can for my favorite movies.

[Loc Nar]

Originally posted by chipmac
Can I ask what that value is? Granted I haven't upgraded my cheap ass sub to an SVS yet but the LFE on DTS is sometimes a bit hotter. Also the entire track is usually mixed louder so what did you gain with the SVS that equalling out the level can't get you on a DD track?

For the record I only go for DTS discs when it's definitely a better mix. I buy for the A/V quality and not how it's labeled.

I'm no A/V scientist, but after I got the Ultra, I finally took the time to calibrate all my speakers with an SPL meter and the Video Essentials disc. Don't get me wrong, once calibrated, DD5.1 tracks sound great also, but when I did an A/B comparison on titles such as Master and Commander and the Lord of the Rings Extended discs, the DTS tracks, in my opinion, showed through with greater clarity, imaging, and depth. Also, it sounded/felt like the bass in the DTS mix hit harder and with more precision (i.e. less boomy). Could that have been an illusion caused by the greater clarity, depth and separation heard in the fronts and surrounds? Perhaps. But, for all of those reasons, that's what I mean by the DTS track adding value. I agree you can't overgeneralize that DTS mixes always sound better, but at least on those titles they sounded better to me.

[Dabaomb]

Originally posted by Skyler
Don't buy a bad movie BECAUSE of DTS.

Don't pass on a good movie because it LACKS DTS.

When you have a choice, choose DTS almost always.

:up:

[rexinnih]

I'll wait for or search the globe for a DTS track on movies I really want to buy.
A few movies I was on the fence about, a DTS track swayed my opinion.

[eedoon]

I collect DVD just because of the movie, or the packaging. Sometimes I double dip for the DTS or special features, but only if the DTS is a significant improvement over the DD 5.1 tracks.

[chente]

I usually buy based on the quality of the movie itself but I do pay attention to what type of audio tracks it has. I will sometimes buy a title only for the DTS track if it is sufficiently cheap, like Titan AE which I bought for $5.xx

[NCYankee]

I am not convinced there is much difference in most newer DTS and DD tracks, but - as Green Jello enlightened us in another thread - most of the early DTS releases were full bit rate (1509 Kbps) instead of the current half-rate (754 Kbps). Some of them - Dances With Wolves, Twister, among others - are still rated among the best DVD tracks ever (receiving 5+ ratings at Widescreenreview.com).

This is discussed in detail in another thread -

DTS thread (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=379784&perpage=25&pagenumber=1)

here is a list I posted
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are the full-bitrate DTS tracks rated 5 and 5+ by widescreenreview.com:

5:
12 Monkeys
Amistad
Antz
Apollo 13
Dante's Peak
Dune (Miniseries - Director's Cut)
The Jackal
Mercury Rising
Mouse Hunt
The Peacemaker
The River Wild
Small Soldiers
Virus


5+:
Dances with Wolves
Daylight
Super Speedway Mach II SE
Twister
Waterworld

I was rather surprised to see Galaxy Quest and Thin Red Line rated only 4.5 stars, I have heard people rave about those tracks.

[NCYankee]

Originally posted by kar10
There are some that I haven't seen and bestbuy is currently selling 3 for $20 in packages of 3.

The deal is so good that I was very close to buying them earlier.


The Siege (dts)
The Thin Red Line (dts)
Courage Under Fire (dts)

I don't see The Siege or Courage Under Fire on the sale page at the website - are these part of the sale at your local store? I tried adding them to the cart but they didn't get discounted.

[kar10]

They sell them in a united bundle in packages of 3.

There are many others being sold like that at B/M.

[NCYankee]

Is the 3-pack on sale this week, or is that the regular price? I have never noticed them, maybe my local store doesn't stock them . OTOH, I am usually browsing the $5.99 rack.

[nova]

I understand people's obsession with getting DTS disks but to a degree. But I'm sorry, but that's really, really dumb to by a dvd just because it has DTS especially if its a movie you don't like. There's no logic in it at all. And BTW DTS doesn't always "rock!". There are plenty of movies were the the DD5.1 track is FAR SUPERIOR to any dts track. Matrix Rel comes to mind. I can understand where you're coming from, trust me I do, but maybe you should get your dvd buying priorities in check. :)

[NCYankee]

Originally posted by nova
I understand people's obsession with getting DTS disks but to a degree. But I'm sorry, but that's really, really dumb to by a dvd just because it has DTS especially if its a movie you don't like. There's no logic in it at all. :)

Fortunately, keeping that thought it my head has prevented me from buying Dudley Do-right on several occasions from the $5.50 dump bin at Walmart.

[nova]

Originally posted by NCYankee
Fortunately, keeping that thought it my head has prevented me from buying Dudley Do-right on several occasions from the $5.50 dump bin at Walmart.

God Bless you!

[Shroud]

Hmmm wasn't Waterworld a DTS 5.0 track? Seems strange to give it such a high rating if there is no LFE track.
I often rebuy DVDs for DTS and or Anamorphic Widescreen. DTS is not always better or distingushable from Dolby Digital, but when its done correctly its superior like in Jurassic Park DTS (fixed version).
I'm also a sucker for Superbit because of the DTS, Anamorphic Widescreen standards, plus I like the Silver Slipcase that makes them really stand out on my dvd shelves.
Buying DTS track dvds also made me learn to buy stuff overseas, Region 3 anybody? Most of the time the DVDs are cheaper, even with international shipping and a lot of movies come with DTS tracks.

[NCYankee]

Some references find show DD 5.0 on one version and DTS 5.1 on the other, though widescreen review shows DTS 5.0. Not being a subscriber, I can't access the detailed review just the summary.

I would assume there is bass in the soundtrack just not a dedicated bass track - if the reviewer was using a system with good bass management, then the sound should still be almost indistinguishable from a 5.1 track.

[Green Jello]

I have the Waterworld DTS release. It is a 1509 bps DTS track that is 5.0. Although it is missing the LFE channel, there is still plenty off good bass mixed into the left and right main channels. Although a terrible film. the soundtrack is really quite well done. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Sound in 1996, but it lost out to Apollo 13 (which incidentally is another great full bit rate DTS disc.) :)

[Mountain Biker]

Originally posted by NCYankee
5+:
Dances with Wolves
Daylight
Super Speedway Mach II SE
Twister
Waterworld


They don't consider Saving Private Ryan DTS a 5+ ???? It blows all those away, IMO.

[NCYankee]

Originally posted by Mountain Biker
They don't consider Saving Private Ryan DTS a 5+ ???? It blows all those away, IMO.

SPR is not a full-bitrate DTS track - but they give 5+ to both the DD and DTS tracks.

[QuiGonJosh]

a bad movie is still a bad movie...a DTS track does not improve this

[TylerDurden_73]

Originally posted by Green Jello
I have the Waterworld DTS release. It is a 1509 bps DTS track that is 5.0. Although it is missing the LFE channel, there is still plenty off good bass mixed into the left and right main channels. Although a terrible film. the soundtrack is really quite well done. It was nominated for the Oscar for Best Sound in 1996, but it lost out to Apollo 13 (which incidentally is another great full bit rate DTS disc.) :)



Last I checked Waterworld dts had the only 5.1 remix, where as the dolby digital version was 5.0

[Green Jello]

Originally posted by TylerDurden_73
Last I checked Waterworld dts had the only 5.1 remix, where as the dolby digital version was 5.0

That would make sense. I seem to remember in the early days of DVD and DTS, I heard a DTS rep say that there would NEVER be anything less than full 5.1 DTS (unlike Dolby). Then again, that could be all the drinking talking.

[NCYankee]

Green Jello,

You might have missed the email I sent you. I was wondering if you could tell me why my DVD-rom is reading a bitrate of 3840 for "Interview with a Vampire" DTS (it reads accurately on my other full-rate DVDs - Twister, Dune, and the Lethal Weapon DCs). That is exactly 2.5 times the full bitrate of 1536.

I can now verify that The Thin Red Line DTS is full bitrate - I picked it up in the 3-pack for $20 with Courage Under Fire and The Siege (both DTS).

Also - how is it that Warner was able to fit a full-rate DTS track, DD 5.1 track, and a slew of extras on the "Interview with the Vampire" SE - but when Universal put out a DTS disc, they had to strip off all the extras? I guess Universal was the pioneer in the field of "double-dipping".

[kar10]

Originally posted by NCYankee


I can now verify that The Thin Red Line DTS is full bitrate - I picked it up in the 3-pack for $20 with Courage Under Fire and The Siege (both DTS).



I'm glad you found them and now I feel I should get them as well :(

Can you post your opinion on the quality of DTS sound of the films.

[TylerDurden_73]

Originally posted by Green Jello
That would make sense. I seem to remember in the early days of DVD and DTS, I heard a DTS rep say that there would NEVER be anything less than full 5.1 DTS (unlike Dolby). Then again, that could be all the drinking talking.


The only 5.0 dts mix that I know of is Patch Adams ultimate edition

[NCYankee]

Originally posted by kar10
I'm glad you found them and now I feel I should get them as well :(

Can you post your opinion on the quality of DTS sound of the films.

When I get a chance to watch them, I will be able to comment on the quality of the sound itself but not the surround mix since I don't have a surround setup at the moment, just two pretty good floorstanders and a 115 watt Denon amp. (I am moving in a few months so have put off getting more speakers until then).

[Shroud]

I think I remember seeing Donnie Brasco as a DTS 5.0 mix as well. Can anyone who has this dvd confirm?

[NCYankee]

Donnie Brasco does not have DTS, but it is DD 5.0.