TrueHD vs PL IIx

[Reckoner]

Is it really that big a difference going from Pro Logic IIx to Dolby TrueHD? I have a 7.1 system, but the only way I can access TrueHD is by using the 5.1 analog outs on the hd-dvd player, so I'll lose 2 speakers. In the end, is it worth the hassle?

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Is it really that big a difference going from Pro Logic IIx to Dolby TrueHD? I have a 7.1 system, but the only way I can access TrueHD is by using the 5.1 analog outs on the hd-dvd player, so I'll lose 2 speakers. In the end, is it worth the hassle?

Do you even know what Pro Logic is?

 

[MrChad]

TrueHD > Digital EX > Digital 5.1 > Pro Logic II > Pro Logic

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: SaltBoy

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Is it really that big a difference going from Pro Logic IIx to Dolby TrueHD? I have a 7.1 system, but the only way I can access TrueHD is by using the 5.1 analog outs on the hd-dvd player, so I'll lose 2 speakers. In the end, is it worth the hassle?

Do you even know what Pro Logic is?

Well, Pro Logic llx will matrix the rear speakers for movies that don't have a 7.1 sound track. Other than that, I really don't know much about the differences between all the formats... DD EX, Pro Logic, Neo, etc.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: MrChad
TrueHD > Digital Plus > DTS > Digital EX > Digital 5.1 > Pro Logic II > Pro Logic

Fixed

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Pro Logic IIx = 5.1 (or *shudder* 2 channel) signal matrixed to 7.1, it's fake 7.1
Dolby TrueHD = lossless 5.1 audio, at least in your case

TrueHD FTW

 

[MrChad]

Pro Logic embeds the surround instructions into the stereo signal. The DSP chip decodes the instructions and redirects the sound to the appropriate channel.

Dolby Digital (and its EX variants) sends discrete channels of audio in a compressed format. The separation is superior to Pro Logic, because each channel is isolated from the other.

TrueHD improves on Dolby Digital by using lossless compression for each discrete channel of audio. I've never heard it in person, but with the right equipment it should sound way better than Pro Logic.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: SaltBoy

Originally posted by: MrChad
TrueHD > Digital Plus > DTS > Digital EX > Digital 5.1 > Pro Logic II > Pro Logic

Fixed

I was limiting the discussion to Dolby technologies. We can have a flame war about Dolby vs. DTS later.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: SaltBoy

Originally posted by: MrChad
TrueHD > Digital Plus > DTS > Digital EX > Digital 5.1 > Pro Logic II > Pro Logic

Fixed

I was limiting the discussion to Dolby technologies. We can have a flame war about Dolby vs. DTS later.

Okay, but you *did* forget Digital Plus at least.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: SaltBoy
Okay, but you *did* forget Digital Plus at least.

Haven't heard of it until now. Is it part of the HD-DVD or BluRay spec? Or is it geared towards HDTV broadcasts?

 

[Reckoner]

So even with my 7.1 system, I would probably have a better audio experience utilizing the 5.1 analog (in order to have TrueHD sent to my receiver via PCM) on my HD-DVD player?

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
So even with my 7.1 system, I would probably have a better audio experience utilizing the 5.1 analog (in order to have TrueHD sent to my receiver via PCM) on my HD-DVD player?

Absolutely. Think of it as going from listening to a highly compressed MP3 to listening a CD. It wouldn't matter how many speakers you had, the CD would still sound superior.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
So even with my 7.1 system, I would probably have a better audio experience utilizing the 5.1 analog (in order to have TrueHD sent to my receiver via PCM) on my HD-DVD player?

The 5.1 analog means that the digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) is done by the HD-DVD player instead of the receiver. My guess is that standard digital audio outputs don't have the bandwidth (yet) to support sending the full TrueHD digital signal to the receiver for decoding.

The short answer is, yes, you'll get better audio using TrueHD.

 

[SaltBoy]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: SaltBoy
Okay, but you *did* forget Digital Plus at least.

Haven't heard of it until now. Is it part of the HD-DVD or BluRay spec? Or is it geared towards HDTV broadcasts?

Hmmm... I'm surprised you haven't heard of it.I knew about it before I knew about TrueHD.