Films which really benefit from DTS?

L

lovethatass99

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I've got a DVD Home Theatre, which has a "DTS Decoder" built in.

There aren't that many movies with DTS Soundtracks at the moment, but those that have really do sound better in DTS.

IMHO one of the best for DTS is Apollo 13, which also happens to be my favourite film of all time.

During the launch sequence, if you turn the sound up fairly high, you can feel the concussion of the engine start, through the Sub-Woofer, and it is stunning!

Also, after the explosion that cripples the Command Module, you can hear all the subtle rumblings in the powered down LEM, which you don't hear properly in 5.1.

If you've got Home Theatre with a DTS Decoder, watch the DVD of Apollo 13, using the DTS soundtrack, and turn the volume up fairly high.

It'll blow you away, litterally. :D
 
LOL :D DTS is just the best! Generally I find that the DTS track is slightly meatier than the Dolby 5.1, so given the choice I always choose the DTS option.

The best DTS disc for me has to be the excellent Ultimate Edition version of 'Terminator 2' - its audio madness from start to finish! A very close second is the 'Die Hard' trilogy, particularly Die Hard II, which has some amazing spot effects that just sound outstanding using DTS!
 
Titanic Special Edition/Deluxe Collector's Edition that came out recently is also simply amazing when played back with DTS 6.1 track! You can hear all the creaks and groans of the ship better and I'd say it's better than the Dolby 5.1 you heard in the cinemas.
 
Also, if you are a Cher fan, her Farewell tour DVD is amazing in DTS.

When the audience applaud and sing along, it's like you are sitting in the audience at the concert.

I should know, I did sit in the audience of one of the shows in her Farewell Tour.
 
Is Die Hard 3 in DTS? I bought Die Hard 1 + 2 and they are in DTS (and sound fantastic). I bought Die Hard 3 separately and it is only 5.1 (mine is the 2 disc collector's edition)
 
Gladiator was the first film I saw (heard) in DTS and it was immediately obvious that there was a massive improvement in dynamic range and clarity from DD 5.1

Strangely, the newer director's cut doesn't have the DTS soundtrack.

Apparently, some people think there is a noticeable drop in picture quality when a title has to make enough room for a DTS audio track. To be a valid standarRAB compliant DVD, each title has to include a Dolby Digital, MP2 or LPCM soundtrack. This means you can't just have a DTS audio track.

I suppose the video bitrate drops a little, but it'd be hard to claim there was poor picture quality on Gladiator, Master and Commander or The Fifth Element, for example.
 
I've got dts decoding on my amp. I always look out for it now.
I've gone out of my way in fact to purchase versions of films with DTS.

Personnal favorites:

The Fifth element - Comes alive with DTS

Try out the battle scences from Saving Private Ryan CE (The beach assalt). DTS isn't on the standard release so look for the collectors/special edition tin or cardboard version. There is a HUGE difference when you compare the DTS to the Dolby Digital. You can hear every thud, wave, ricohet and bullet around you. The picture quality is superb on this release as well.


Also try out the scenes in War of the WorlRAB (2005) where one of the alien tripoRAB make that foghorn like sound. Turn up the volume and prepare to hear your neighbours scream at you to turn it back down:D It'll make the room shake!
 
I'm going to be a party-pooper here. As a (ahem) proffessional sound man, I think the difference between DTS and DD is almost zero, especially when the higher DD bitrate is used (384 vs 192). There may be differences on individual movies, but these are as likely due to the different mixes themselves from the dubbing theatre, not really inherant in the format. As an exercise, just try Apollo 13 in DD with the subwoofer turned up higher!

I did a lengthy side-by-side on Gladiator and eventually gave up in boredom. I think the DTS mix was harsher, actually - again, just the choice of the dubbing mixer.

Far more important is the quality of the mix itself - some films are better-mixed than others. IMHO once you have a decent DD 5.1 setup, it's a law of greatly diminishing returns to go for DTS - I'd rather spend time on finding better movies!

Just my penny's worth...
 
In my own personnal experience I've found that most DTS soundtracks are better. They just seem more 'alive', with far more detail and bass than Dolby Digital versions. Thats not to discredit Dolby Digital as being substandard (Certainly star wars: Revenge of the Sith's Dolby Digital soundtrack is good), it just seems more effort is put into the DTS versions.

BTW THX is a set standard for sound and image quality not a format like DTS or Dolby Digital (Excuse me if you already know).
 
I gotta agree on this. But I don't think its only the fact that it has been recorded louder. The effects are 'meatier' and more punctuated.

I like Kill Bill in DTS


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My favourite movie!

I've watched it many times, and using both soundtracks, and I think DTS is far superior to DD.

That launch scene (with the fire from the engine coming toward you) is truly awesome in DTS.

I've got my subwoofer on the floor, just to the right of the TV, and the concussion from the engine blast rolls across the floor and hits you in the legs.

Also, when the tunnel is torquing, just after the explosion, you can hear every creak and scrape.

Another great one for DTS is Behind Enemy Lines, especially where the SAM is chasing the plane.
 
It may not be the greatest film, but in terms of DTS, it is the clear winner and i'm sure any DTS purist will agree....

Out of all the excellent DTS tracks I have heard (Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, T2 etc), NOTHING has yet managed to top the superb DTS track for the 1999 remake of The Haunting. :p
 
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