Mastering HD PC Audio, Part 1

[martel80]

Any comparison between two versions of "the same disc" (i.e Dolby vs. DTS or SACD/DVD-A vs. CD) cannot be taken seriously as you have no confidence that equal mastering techniques were used for those versions.
A SACD version of an album, for expample, might have much less audio compression applied to it (no clipping and overvolumed, distorted sound) compared to a CD version (which is usually overcompressed and distorted these days). This may apply to some extent to Dolby vs. DTS.
You simply can't be sure whether the perceived difference is caused by compression technique itself or by other factors (encoder implementation/settings used, digital audio processing employed etc.).
It has been confirmed that some hybrid SACD audio discs carried an intentionally squashed CD track to make SACD sound "superior" while, pure technically and biologically, vast majority of humans is not able to discern a 44/16 recording from a 96/24 one if proper mastering techniques and proper playback equipment are used for both. So they have to "help them hear the difference". What a BS!

 

[etittel]

Dear Martel80:
The old Latin catchphrase "Caveat emptor" applies to high-definition technology with extreme prejudice, you might say. Some skeptics like to argue that the "new, improved" versions for 5.1 (and some 6.0 and 7.1) sound schemes aim strictly to exploit those high-end audio, video, and technology buyers with more money than sense. And yet, I have sat in home theaters where the Blu-ray experience felt perceptibly superior to ordinary DVDs to me, from both an audio and a video perspective, particularly for movies that I knew well from the base DVD versions (I've had this experience personally with "The Fifth Element," "Swordfish," several "Bourne" flicks, and "Planet Earth"). You pays your money and you takes your chances, or you saves your money and you doesn't.
These stories aim to explore what those who do spend the money can (and can't expect), but it certainly doesn't aim to persuade those who are disinclined to do so to change their minds.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

[etittel]

For an interesting take on what Blu-ray does for audio, check out this reporting from a Sun conference earlier this month in California. Rocker Neal Young has committed to releasing his entire catalog on Blu-ray discs, citing "...better...sound quality" as one of the reasons for making this commitment. Find this story on MSNBC at http/www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24487949/.

Also, be prepared to see an edited and updated version of Part 1 of this story hit the site early this week, and for Part 2 to follow shortly thereafter. My HDTV expert friend, Matt Wright, was kind enough to point out numerous elements of the story that needed additional explanation or correction, which I have now done (but which hasn't yet posted to the site). Please stay tuned!

--Ed--

 

[Guest]

lossy codecs are all the rage since dialup and realplayer came together as an option for streaming; and lossy codecs continue to be great for cheap personal players. Personally, I like the sound of full cd audio, and my preference is for the lossless flac codec. take the small bits of sound removed in a lossy codec and listen to them alone they may not sound like much but it is sound nonetheless, and maybe some people do not listen to the full spectrum of sound in music to begin with, but it's there and when all is present it helps with the fullness and richness of the music. anything less is simply not a true replication of the original.

 

[etittel]

Dear Scape:

Good observations, and in fact, it's the switch from lossy to lossless that really makes the difference for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Even at 5.1 (which is still what most of the studios are mixing even for such high-def, high-bitrate sound tracks) you can (or at least, I can) hear a difference vis-a-vis Dolby Digital or plain-vanilla DTS.
Also, FYI, the updates and corrections to the story are now up and visible, so let me thank my partner in grime, Matt Wright, yet again for helping me to keep things straight and accurate.
--Ed--

 

[alganonim]

Great tutorial, but if I'm right, real analog 7.1 from PC doesn't exist. Don't believe in magical PowerDVD capabilities, maybe v8.0 corrects this but 7.3 just decodes all High Def Audio formats when using analog connection to 5.1, Rear channels are dead. Check it out for yourself playing BD 2007 DTS-HD Master Audio Presentation Disk or Dolby - The Sound of High Definition HD DVD. So - analog is only 5.1 and only few HDMI 7.1 solutions works so far (G35/NV8200) , AMD HD4870 HD 4800 HDMI 7.1 is still unconfirmed, then we are right now without real choice ...

 

[Guest]

I liked your article so much I've been dying for part 2... when does that come out!?!

 

[etittel]

I just turned it in about 2 hours ago, so I expect it will take another couple of days to make it through the editorial cycle. If you'd like an advanced version via e-mail, check out my contact info on my personal web page at www dot edtittel dot com, and send me email so you can get a "preview of coming attractions." Be sure to put "Hi-def Audio Part 2" in your subject line, please.
--Ed--

 

[Guest]

I applaud your efforts in "keeping in touch" by being active in the forum/comments in regards to your article. It shows your interest and sincerity in helping others. Thanks!

 

[audioee]

So where might part 2 be? Has it been published yet?

 

[LoboBrancoTimido]

First of all Ed Tittel you are one of the best editors I had the pleasure to read on Tom's Hardware.
I'm not in to Home Theater these days but I enjoy reading about the subject and I know a bit about audio to say some words about it.
When it comes to audio the more quality the source has the better.
In the past I had the pleasure to visit some AudioShows here in Portugal and hear some amazing systems, most people would be amazed what a pair of 5000€ speakers or even more can do to their hears :-D now imagine a 5.1 or 7.1 system. People that say "I don't notice anything different" should at least try to hear a 15000€ system playing their favorite movie or concert. In the past I spent a lot of money with speakers,cables, etc but these days I'm more than happy with my simple custom speakers, Quality is important but the most important thing of them all is to actually hear good music and see good movies, I know some people that got lost in the search for the perfect sound.
I already heard the perfect sound quality, and its a live concert. :-D

Btw DTS-HD HR has a little problem on hd audio specs table(the specs are in diferent places) you should check it out,please

Now I'm gonna read part 2.

 

[LoboBrancoTimido]

First of all Ed Tittel you are one of the best editors I had the pleasure to read on Tom's Hardware.
I'm not in to Home Theater these days but I enjoy reading about the subject and I know a bit about audio to say some words about it.
When it comes to audio the more quality the source has the better.
In the past I had the pleasure to visit some AudioShows here in Portugal and hear some amazing systems, most people would be amazed what a pair of 5000€ speakers or even more can do to their hears :-D now imagine a 5.1 or 7.1 system. People that say "I don't notice anything different" should at least try to hear a 15000€ system playing their favorite movie or concert. In the past I spent a lot of money with speakers,cables, etc but these days I'm more than happy with my simple custom speakers, Quality is important but the most important thing of them all is to actually hear good music and see good movies, I know some people that got lost in the search for the perfect sound.
I already heard the perfect sound quality, and its a live concert. :-D

Btw DTS-HD HR has a little problem on hd audio specs table(the specs are in diferent places) you should check it out,please

Now I'm gonna read part 2.

 

[etittel]

Dear LBT:
thanks for the feedback: I'll definitely check out the issue with DTS-HD High Resolution, to see if it can be fixed. Thanks also for your kind words about the work involved: it was time-consuming and often confusing but ultimately very educational. It's also a good idea to remember, as so many posters point out, that sound ultimately matters most when it's reached your ears, and your perceptual apparatus comes into play.
Let me know what you think of Part 2 after you've worked your way through it.
Thanks again,
--Ed--

 

[ryanf7271]

I know of 2 blu rays that use DTS-HD HR. King of New York with Chrisopher Walken and Rambo First Blood, the 1st one not First Blood 2. Just so you can check them out andgive them a listen. If you have your BDP connected via HDMI and also have the player connected using the Digital Coax output, then when you switch the input mode on your AVR to Coax the DTS-HD HR will down grade to DTS-ES Discrete 6.1

 

[ryanf7271]

When I use my BD/DVD player and I am watching a movie with basic DTS 5.1 I actually get either 6.1 or 7.1 bcuz The FL/R, C, SL/R, SBL/R and SW speakers all light up on the reciever indicating they are all being used. I also Have a speaker pattern option of 5/2.1 with Front Height L & R channels, rather than 3/4.1 which incorporates the Surround Back L & R channels. But with the 5/2.1 pattern I cannot get my FHL/R channels to light up even when playing a BRD with DTruHD or DTSHDMA 7.1 soundtracks...why is that? The FH L/R will only light up when I use the PL IIz sound field.

 

[ryanf7271]

I have at least one DVD or Blu Ray disc that will use LPCM 5.1-7.1, DD 5.1 DD EX, DolbyTrueHD 5.1-7.1, DTS 5.1, DTS ES Discrete 6.1(some 7.1), DTS-HD High Res 6.1 (some 7.1), DTS-HD MA 5.1-7.1...but I have yet to find any DVD or Blu Ray disc that uses DD+ or DTS-ES Matrix. Can anybody tell me which, if any, DVDs or BD's use DD+ or DTS-ES Matrix?? My 7.1 Sony 3D AVR has 4 HDMI slots, 3 in, 1 output, 1 digital coax, and 2 SPDIF or Fiber Optic. My AVR had the ability to decode ALL audio formats, so where do I get a disc that uses DD+ and a disc that uses DTS-ES Matrix? I know that some of the titles on Netflix use DD+ but when I stream the movies using DD+ I get LPCM 48 6.1-7.1. Can anybody help by telling me if their exists DVDs and/or BD's with DD+ or DTS Matrix? Thank you. If you need anymore info please just ask.