Quote:
Ilkka wrote:
 It did the testing also with this configuration and the result was exactly the same as when you disable the center. 4.1, 3.1, 2.1, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 - same SPL loss compared to 5.1 or 5.0.
Just like he says, only the DTS part is incorrect. I tested it too and DTS doesn't behave the same. There is no loss if you disable the center or surrounds. DTS doesn't carry any DRC information. Surprisingly DD 5.1 was only around 2 dB behind DTS at the same MV setting (Master and Commander).
So do remember that this happens only when playing DD tracks, DTS doesn't have this problem. |
Actually, DTS is different than DD in that DD uses DIALNORM, and DTS does not do so. DIALNORM reduces volume by an amount that varies from DVD to DVD. There is no volume reduction when the value of DIALNORM is -31.
If a DD DVD has a DIALNORM value of -31 (like Air Force 1), then DD and DTS will playback at the same volume level.
The Master and Commander DD DVD uses a DIALNORM value of -27, so volume is reduced by 4 dB (-31 -(-27) = -4) as compared with the DTS version. DTS and DD sound just about the same if you set the DTS version 4 dB lower than the DD version.
The War of the Worlds DD DVD uses a DIALNORM value of -23, so volume is reduced by 8 dB (-31 -(-23) = -8) as compared with the DTS version. DTS and DD sound just about the same if you set the DTS version 8 dB lower than the DD version.
My receiver reads out the DIALNORM value that is ENCODED in the DVD, so I can read the DIALNORM value directly on my receiver. Does anyone else have this feature?
As far as downmixing DTS is concerned, I tried downmixing M & C DTS last night. If you downmix the DTS version of M & C, it does not sound the same as the 5.1 version. It sounds like a bit of overload compression is used, but not anything like the drastic DD DRC. Perhaps it is just the electronic downmixing of signals that changes the sound.
Anyhow, everyone should use a full 5.0 or 5.1 system (even with speakers). Some DVD's just sound BAD when you downmix, DD versions in particular!