About the surround sound settings, which is preferred? DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic II, etc...? Thanks!

 

DTS should be better

 

I have an Onkyo 6.1 receiver, and it has dts, dolby digital, and dolby pro Logic II. Out of the three, I find DTS the best for explosions, etc. (action flicks when there is lots of bass) and dolby digital for dramas or something where there is not so much action or rear channel goodness. I guess dialogue is easier to enjoy via dolby digital, as far as my ears can tell.

 

Both DTS and Dolby Digital are discrete surround sound systems. DTS is less compressed than DD. Both must be encoded on the dvd in order to use.

Dolby Pro-Logic II creates 5-channel surround sound from a stereo source.

 

DTS is the gold standard right now.

DD 5.1 is just as good if your an avg joe who likes good sound, like me.

 

somehow.. i also find dialog better from the center channel via Dolby Digital. might be cognitive dissonance tho...

a key thing: don't forget a quality center channel. i watch a lot of drama/indie films, etc. dialog is often more important than listening to shit blowing up

 

So Pro-Logic II doesn't effect the sound quality if a DVD is encoded with Dolby Digital or DTS? Is it only useful when it's only a 2-channel source? Thanks!

 

Only a few of the really exceptional movies are out with DTS, but it is the best for action flicks. Stealth is pretty amazing in DTS.

Wait till you try DTS-ES though.

 

I'm not sure how your receiver works but I suspect that if it receives a DTS or DD signal, it will decode it appropriately and won't use DPLII. For stereo movies, you may need to select DPLII if you want surround, not stereo sound.

 

Check to see if your reciever has an auto set preference. I have mine set to go DTS if it is encoded on the disc, otherwise it goes with DD 5.1 because that is on about 99.9 percent of the discs out there.