Do I really NEED DTS... hmmm lets think...

Posted by Bill Gee [IP: 209.90.4.89] on November 05, 1998 at 20:26:54:

In Reply to: Do I really NEED DTS... hmmm lets think... posted by Michael S. Gilmore on November 05, 1998 at 19:48:17:

: There are so few titles in DVD DTS right now I'm really unsure whether I need it or not. I mean if the format REALLY takes off I'll want it, but since AC3 is such the BUZZ I think many title producers may just stick with AC3. They wont want to do any more work than necessary, Right? Hmmm... (think, think, think...Pooh reference)

My opinion - Some kind of surround sound presentation of music is going to be one the next Big Things. Whether DTS is the chosen method or not remains to be seen. We are as yet on the cusp of this change. AC-3 is more compressed and perceptually coded than I am comfortable with, but such things are inevitible.

As for particulars - I own a DTS system from Rotel and have a half-dozen DTS audio CDs. I have no movies in DTS. The sound on the CDs ranges from terrific to "so what?". There are about 50 or 60 audio DTS CD titles available.

One-liners:

Chick Corea "Remembering Bud Powell" - You sit in the center of a six piece combo. The sound is dynamic and well mixed. 5 stars.

Trisha Yearwood "Where Your Road Leads" If you like modern country, this is very nice. I'm not sure I like the music, but the sound is big and gorgeous. Trisha is a good singer as long as you don't ask for more than two octaves or so of range.

Bonnie Raitt "Road Tested" Concert sound with the rear speakers carrying ambience. The center has Bonnie's vocals. Good music but a terrible sound quality. The mix leaves a lot to be desired.

DMP Big band "Salute to Duke Ellington" Studio recording with the rear speakers carrying ambience. Well recorded, moderately well played. Rather sterile performance.

Holst "The Planets" Concert setting with ambience on the rear speakers. Very wide dynamic range, very clean. Probably not the best "Planets" ever done, but right up there.

Being DTS doesn't change much! Regular stereo CDs have many of the same problems - bad mixes, terrible mike placement, gorgeous sound but bad performance ... DTS is not a Silver Bullet.

But that Corea CD sounds so nice ...!

Follow Ups:

• Do I really NEED DTS... hmmm lets think... Joe 21:32:23 11/05/98 (1)
  • Do I really NEED DTS... hmmm lets think... Bill Gee 20:21:07 11/06/98 (0)

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