Audio output on E1 vs XE1

[Rob100]

Let me get this right then...

On the E1 which only has an optical out, the audio track on HD-DVD will be "converted" on the fly to "standard" DTS. Is this all audio tracks, be it DD+, DTS-HD master etc?

So the XE1 also has coax which will do the same as the optical, albeit the prefered connection by most. It also has 5.1 analogue output. Is there any advantage in using these? Does this allow you to take advantage on the new audio formats with an "older" receiver?

Just trying to decide if the XE1 is not only worth the extra wait, but also worth the extra £150.

Thanks,

Rob.

[Rasczak]

On the E1 which only has an optical out, the audio track on HD-DVD will be "converted" on the fly to "standard" DTS. Is this all audio tracks, be it DD+, DTS-HD master etc?

When connected to your receover/amp with optical or coaxial connections then the Toshiba HD DVD players will convert Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD into DTS. Although downconverted you will still hear a benefit though.

So the XE1 also has coax which will do the same as the optical, albeit the prefered connection by most. It also has 5.1 analogue output. Is there any advantage in using these? Does this allow you to take advantage on the new audio formats with an "older" receiver?

Coaxial achieves the same function as optical, i.e. if you connect with that then the next generation audio codecs will be downconverted into DTS. If you want to get the most benefit from the sound then you have two choices:
- Connect with HDMI
- Connect with 5.1 analogue outputs

Connecting with HDMI obviously requires a compatible receiver. You need one that not only supports HDMI but will take and use an multi-channel PCM signal.

As most people don't have a suitable HDMI receiver yet , the majority of us use the 5.1 analogue outputs. And this is the key difference between the two UK models: the E1 doesn't have them. When hooking up with 5.1 analogues you will get the full benefit of Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.

[Superwof]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

When connected to your receover/amp with optical or coaxial connections then the Toshiba HD DVD players will convert Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD into DTS. Although downconverted you will still hear a benefit though.

Why would there be any benefit? Is the bitrate from such a "converted" signal supposed to be higher than "regular" DTS? Or is there some other reason why this would create a better sound?

[Rob100]

Originally Posted by Superwof

Why would there be any benefit? Is the bitrate from such a "converted" signal supposed to be higher than "regular" DTS? Or is there some other reason why this would create a better sound?

I took this to mean that there would be a benefit over standard Dolby Digital 5.1 on a SD DVD. Probably not much (if any) benefit over a DTS sound track on a SD DVD though.

[rentagas]

The DTS signal output via optical is at a significantly higher bitrate than normal DTS and sounds very good. -much better than a normal DVD

[Rasczak]

The DTS signal output via optical is at a significantly higher bitrate than normal DTS and sounds very good.

Totally agree I think many HD DVD owners have really been caught by surprise by this - we were all expecting the jump in picture quality but the audio is also a significant improvement - even when using optical/coaxial.

[rentagas]

I agree. I've said before that the sound on the opening credits of "firewall" was more jaw dropping than the picture. I've had some trouble with subwoofer output via analogue from my A1. Certainly the jump in sound quality going from dvd to HDDVD via optical is greater than the jump going from optical HDDVD to analogue.

[Rasczak]

I've had some trouble with subwoofer output via analogue from my A1

I think quite a few of us have had the same - have you set all the other speakers to (for example) -10dbs and left the LFE at 0?

[Superwof]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Totally agree I think many HD DVD owners have really been caught by surprise by this - we were all expecting the jump in picture quality but the audio is also a significant improvement - even when using optical/coaxial.

That's great news!! I'll go for the E1 then as I have no use for 1080p or HDMI 1.3. Only the 5.1 analog connection seemed worthwhile. Yet if sound quality via Toslink is better then plain DTS I'll spend the extra cash on films....

[tamlaras]

Or pick up an HD-A1 from Movietyme or DVDWorldUSA now and enjoy HD-DVD now. With 5.1 analog too.

[BenchyUK]

That's a bummer. I wanted the cheaper UK model but also wanted 5.1 analog input as i don't have a amp with HDMI (Denon 2106) but don't feel i want to to spend ayet another £150 for the benefit when i also not bothered about HDMI 1.3 and 1080P as my screen doesn't have then (Panasonic TX32-LXD500)

[Rasczak]

I wanted the cheaper UK model but also wanted 5.1 analog input as i don't have a amp with HDMI (Denon 2106) but don't feel i want to to spend ayet another £150 for the benefit when i also not bothered about HDMI 1.3 and 1080P as my screen doesn't have then (Panasonic TX32-LXD500)

As tamlaras suggests then you might be best getting a US A1 and keeping a seperate R2 DVD player.

[richard plumb]

Originally Posted by lee_c00per

That's a bummer. I wanted the cheaper UK model but also wanted 5.1 analog input as i don't have a amp with HDMI (Denon 2106) but don't feel i want to to spend ayet another £150 for the benefit when i also not bothered about HDMI 1.3 and 1080P as my screen doesn't have then (Panasonic TX32-LXD500)

or just get the E1 and consider the analogue outs not worth £150? As mentioned, the optical out would still offer a significant improvement over DVD.

[Rob100]

And not only will it cost an extra £150 for the analogue outputs you will need some decent interconnects.

I think the E1 is starting to look very tempting. I have been tempted to go for the (X)A1 package, but am put off by several things:

1) Size *
2) Heat/noise *
3) The need for a transformer #
4) Warranty

* These should/are both better on the E1
# not an issue on the E1

By the time the E1 is available there will also be more titles available that I would like to own. At the moment I think I would struggle to pick 7 "must have" titles.

Looking long term... By the time I change my PJ for one which will accept 1080p and HDMI 1.3 we will be several generations of player down the line and I'll probably be able to by another player that is better than the XE1 for £200. Time will tell...

Rob.

[sneill]

Hi guys,

re 5.1 analogue outputs
- will this output Dolby True HD on the XE1 version?
- I think podcast #14 mentioned Dolby True HD will only be available using the HDMI output?

Anyone pick up on this, know the answer?


-----------------------------------------------------------
DTS has recently rebranded itself
check http://www.dtsonline.com/dts-hd/why-...nd-so-good.php for full details

DTS-HD Masteraudio @ 24.5 Mbps *only available via HDMI 1.3*
DTS-HD High Resolution audio @ 6.0 Mbps
DTS Encore @ 1.5 Mbps
DTS (original version) @ 0.768 Mbps

Again from the podcast, I believe the Toshiba units downconverts all sound formats to DTS when using optical/Coax but the bitrate is @ 1.5 Mbps vs. 768 kbps. I imagine this is why existing HD-DVD owners are impressed with the ‘regular’ DTS signal

I've always favoured DTS over Dolby Digital, however looking at the bit rates offered on Dolby True HD (up to 18 Mbps) vs. original DTS of 768 kbps; I think Dolby True HD should sound fantastic. I’m still impressed with DTS on certain films!

True; DTS lossless offers up to 24.5 Mbps vs. Dolby True HD @ 18 Mbps, but I honestly think only those lucky enough to have really good hearing will notice the difference as they both claim to offer lossless transfer, so the difference in theory should be based on the quality of the master copy.

I’m certainly looking forward to hearing the DTS-HD Master Audio demo disc at HiFi News Show 2006 (22-24 September) http://www.dtsonline.com/company/pre...cID=3&yID=2006