5.1 Surround Sound on those DVDs

Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
Now I've settled down to watch the new DVD version of OHMSS.

I suppose I'll be like observing the emperor's new clothes at this point... but while the pic quality is very good, I can't help but find I have to strain to hear the dialogue a bit. And the lush Barry music - in particular the trip to Blofeld's alpine lair - isn't loud enough compared to the other sound.

Now I've had jokes about my hard of hearing what with Casino Royale's dialogue - don't get me wrong, I can hear it, but I have to strain a bit... ?:)

I've no trouble hearing the normal TV etc... but it occurs to me that this surround sound may be the problem. Maybe if you have a great sound system it works well, but it just doesn't sound as clear as a normal DVD to me. Mind you, Odeon Leicester Square should have had fine facilities for this...

One of the first of these trouble areas was DAD at the movies, and that had surround sound.

Could surround sound be the new CGI, everyone raving about it only to realise a few years down the line that it sucks? Will I have to get all the old DVDs which don't have surround sound, on eBay?

And is it possible to not use the surround sound on the new DVDs, ie revert to mono on FRWL? Can you do that on any of the others? I don't see that I could on OHMSS...
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

Roger Moore 1927-2017

Comments

  • BestBondSeanBestBondSean A Bavarian in CornwallPosts: 108MI6 Agent
    I would guess it must have something to do with your setup\Soundsystem.
    Voices in a 5.1 setup come from the center speaker, maybe this is not strong enough.When you watch 'normal' TV, i.e. Stereo 2.0 or mono the sound comes from the two speakers next to the tv only, so maybe that's why you can hear it better.I'd try a system with a better centre speaker, you should also have settings on your amp to change to Dolby 2.0 or just to stereo. A good cable setup also helps, i'd recommend a good quality optical cable, makes a whole world of difference.
    I got two of the new Ultimate Edition DVDs now, (Goldfinger and Thunderball) and i'm very impressed with Picture and Soundquality, i've heard a lot of nuances in the sound that i've never noticed before, on a good setup you should have a clear distinction between voices and SFX\ambient sounds, i had to set the base level to the lowest setting though on my system.
    In any case on a well set up System DTS can only be called an improvement, i don't think many people would regard it as a failed technology.
    I'd certainly have a listen to a well setup system with a good centre speaker for comparison.
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
    Cheers, will look into it... BestBondSean!
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
Sign In or Register to comment.