DTS ES or DOLBY EX?

[Games Guru]

I REALLY don't want another DD vs DTS thread here.


As DTS ES is 6.1 and DD EX is 5.1, is (in theory) DTS ES better?

I would presume as the sound is mixed over 7 channels compared to 6 that it would be, although i don't have a 7 channel set-up.

Just a question. :)

[richgtfc]

Yes, DTS ES discrete is better than DD EX. The centre back channel is discrete not mixed. Sounds ace on LOTR films. Although as my amp is knackered I'm in Nicam stereo mode:(

Rich

[shoestring25]

dts es is better i find if you are watching one of the very few films which offers DTS ES discrete this gives you an extra channel not mixed from the other channels like matrixed ES

[Racquel Darrian]

DTS ES, in theory, is better.
But just listen to films like :

Attack of the Clones
Phantom Menace
Perfect Storm and Pitch Black

all in DD EX all they sound just as good as most of the DTS ES DVDs I've got!

The Haunting in DTS ES is the only one that I can say is far better!

[Dimmy]

I'm very much on the fence on this one.

I haven't 'heard' advantages of one format over the other in this.

I don't have a 7.1 setup at present, but did a few months ago, when I listened to all discs in ES/EX.

Frankly, everything sounded fantastic with centre-rear channels, even things that weren't encoded for it.

Although, of course, in theory, DTS-ES Discrete has the edge :).

Dimmy

[shoestring25]

the couple of films i have found that have DTS ES discrete are two towers 4 disc and gladiator R1 i did think that they sounded fantastic better than a nomal DD EX mix

[Jase]

DTS ES Discrete in theory should be the better format but it depends how it's implemented. Have a listen to the godawful mix of Highlander Ultimate Edition, it's quite possibly the worst use of the format ever (Stargate Ultimate Edition isn't much better either). The Haunting is still THE best display of the format.

[stretcher]

Having had an amp capable for months, but never having got round to getting the extra speaker for the year I looking forward to a very generous Santa sorting that out for me:clap:

And then, Comparison time to find out if the extra expense was all worth it!!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Reiner]

I would presume as the sound is mixed over 7 channels compared to 6 that it would be, although i don't have a 7 channel set-up.
AFAIK both are mixed over 6 channels only, DD Ex is matrixed into the rear channels while DTS Es Discrete is, well, discrete (aka true 6.1).
The 7th channel is just a duplicate of the 6th channel (and seperately amplified in a 7.1 speaker setup), no matter if it's derived from the matrix or discrete version of a soundtrack.

A 6.1 speaker setup usually has a "center rear" while a 7.1 setup has two 'surround back' speakers.