Which has better Dolby 5.1 to 4 channel downmix, WinDVD 2000 2.3 or PowerDVD 3

[Noriaki]

PoverDVD 3 and the multichannel version of Win DVD2000 are both $50, so now I'm wondering which I should get.

I've come to the conclusion that the image quality is very close, but I like the powerDVD controls better. I don't have a 4 speaker set up yet but I'm going to get one, so my question to you guys is, which do you think has better 4 channel downmix?

I don't care about hardware assist features, i use pure software mode. So just the ability of each player to downmix the physical center channel to a virtual one is what I"m wondering here.

 

[Madcowz]

I don't know about the downmixing qualities/differences, but I personally think PowerDVD 3.0 is a better all around player. And actually image quality now surpasses windvd w/ the new 3.0 version

 

[Noriaki]

oh yeah?
i haven't actually tried PowerDVD 3 yet...I have the trial on my computer but haven't installed it yet...i'm just going from what i know of 2.55

 

[Madcowz]

I tried the 3.0 trial and it looks simply amazing on my computer. Dolby headphones is also a great feature. LMK which route you decide to go

 

[Noriaki]

Dolby Headphones???

Do you have to have special headphones for that, or is it just a mode?
That would simply kick a$$ becuase I use headphones alot....

 

[John]

I just installed PowerDVD 3.0 final and the image quality is more vivid (color wise) than WinDVD 2.3

 

[Soccerman]

PowerDVD 3? hmm.. if only I could get it.. it's too bad that they don't work on the same system for registering software (download the trial, enter the code, and voila) as most do! hehe..

 

[bonkers325]

when did power dvd 3.0 come out ?

 

[John]

PowerDVD 3.0 was released a few days ago. I still think WinDVD 2.3 has slightly sharper image quality and the sound is far superior.

 

[Madcowz]

John are you sure you're PowerDVD 3 is the FINAL version? Where did you get it from? I downloaded 3.0 from a questionable site... ahem... and it was not in fact the final version. When I d/led the trial version I immediately noticed the picture quality difference and also yea, dolby headphones is emulated via software, so you don't have to have dolby headphones.

 

[HD2GO]

http://www.cyberlink.com.tw for PowerDVD 3.0; right from the source.

One question though ... Does the combination of PowerDVD 3.0 and Win2k supports AC3 passthru'?? Thanks.

 

[John]

Yes I am positive it is 3.0 Final.

 

[Madcowz]

I don't think any combination w/ win2k supports ac-3 passthrough as win2k simply does not support it

 

[Noriaki]

Hmmm dolby surround, stereo and dolby headphones are my only option in PowerDVD 3...

How can I set it to do dolby digital 5.1 to 4 channel downmix?
or does it even support it?

 

[Madcowz]

I have since uninstalled the trial, but I do believe there is a box on the bottom of the audio options somewhere that says something about downmixing to 4 channels... I'm not sure though

 

[Noriaki]

oh i see that box now....it's greyed out so I dind't notice it before
maybe cuz I only have the trial?