Transformers on Blu-ray (weak sound)!

[Jase Fox]

Does anybody share my opinion when i say that Transformers True HD soundtrack is a very disappointing one to say the least? I just watched this last night & although the PQ is outstanding i found the audio to be less impressive, it seems to of been mixed so quietly it lacked bass weight, clarity, power etc when compared to the standard DVD version in plain ol Dolby 5.1 its fantastic, i never thought id prefer a DVD 5.1 to a True HD soundtrack but i do "by far"!! the dvd version has so much more power to it its really amazing, is there a reason for this? I had to turn my amp up to -13.0 to even come close to good sound then it wasnt that great, i normally have movies on -19.0 so you can see the diff, when you compare this True HD to the likes of say Spiderman 3 on True HD theres no comparison as spidey 3 is awesome.

[Got2LoveGadgets]

I haven't had time to watch the whole film yet but put on the first 15mins last night and had to double check my amp was on the correct setting it did lack some umph. When the Paramount stars fly around the room I thought this film was going to sound great but it kind of doesn't. Glad someone else thinks the same I keep reading all these reviews about the amazing audio on this disc

[Jase Fox]

Originally Posted by Got2LoveGadgets

I haven't had time to watch the whole film yet but put on the first 15mins last night and had to double check my amp was on the correct setting it did lack some umph. When the Paramount stars fly around the room I thought this film was going to sound great but it kind of doesn't. Glad someone else thinks the same I keep reading all these reviews about the amazing audio on this disc

Hi Gadgets, lol i did the same as you also i checked my amp, but im wandering if the American version is mixed at a higher rate than our uk version as the latest rambo movie in True HD was nuthing to be desired also, i got the American version of the movie thats in DTS master audio & its brilliant! So i think im gonna order an american copy of ebay & then i can see if this soundtracks as good as thay say it is?

[Got2LoveGadgets]

I normally buy US blu rays but Transformers actually worked out cheaper from Amazon.co.uk let me know if the US one sounds any better and I will stick my UK copy on ebay

[MacDaddyOJack]

I didn't find the sound to be soft or quiet, but I was disappointed with the low frequency extension. I usually play back movies at 62dB (-18dB) but with Transformers I played back at 65dB(-15) and it actually was louder than normal so I have no complaints there. I just didn't get any umph from the explosions. My fav scene is when the robot flips over that screaming girl in the blue dress and the bass sweep accompanies it. The sweep starts well but doesn't go nearly deep enough, its just loud.

Dialogue and music were spot on, I was very satisfied there. In fact, I couldn't help but smile every time Megatron spoke as he had wonderful low tones with every word. I just expected more from all of the explosions. A movie with as many as transformers could really have benefited from more extension during the action scenes.

Edit: I have the American version and I'm still a tad disappointed!

[greekjgg]

Can I have some of what you guys are smokin? The sound is fantastic!! Even the bass tones in Optimus Prime's voice bring a whole new dynamic to the film that I didn't hear previously.

Maybe the UK version sucks and that is the problem. I actually had to dial the bass back a bit on mine during certain REAL low frequencies like the nuke blasts.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by greekjgg

Can I have some of what you guys are smokin? The sound is fantastic!! Even the bass tones in Optimus Prime's voice bring a whole new dynamic to the film that I didn't hear previously.

Maybe the UK version sucks and that is the problem. I actually had to dial the bass back a bit on mine during certain REAL low frequencies like the nuke blasts.

What kind of sub are you using because I'm starting to think that you and I are talking about two differnet kinds of low frequencies. I don't consider a track to be "reference" or "incredible" unless it extends well(among other things) like 18-20Hz in at least a few of the scenes.

[Got2LoveGadgets]

Im glad to hear someone say the US version is lacking bass that would be my main complaint about the UK version. As I said I only watched the first 15mins last night but when the helicopter robot (not sure of his name) attacked the USA air base I was like hang on is my sub playing up this just doesn't sound deep enough and gut wrenching like it should. I watched the Simpsons last night (on blu) and left the amp on the same settings as I had for Transformers so a bit louder then usual and the explosion at the end nearly blew my head off! Real shame Transformers doesn't sound like this

[bootman]

Maybe we have an issue with some kind of LFE bug (10db too low) with players that internally decode the TrueHD track?
Can someone with the option of bitstreaming and internal decoding test this out?

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by bootman

Maybe we have an issue with some kind of LFE bug (10db too low) with players that internally decode the TrueHD track?
Can someone with the option of bitstreaming and internal decoding test this out?

I was starting to think that as well but the bass was plenty loud, just not deep. I still had stuff rattling from midrange and high frequency bass notes, but I never really fealt or heard the low frequency bass that usually accompanies the typical blu-ray explosion with other lossless tracks.

I think the deepest recording I heard on the whole movie was either Megatron's voice, or the machine guns on the robots arms in that final scene in the street.

[bootman]

I also responded to you in the main thread, but maybe this is an issue of internal decoding vs bitstreaming?

[MacDaddyOJack]

I hadn't thought of that yet.

I was bitstreaming the TrueHD track to my Onkyo 805. I don't know if my BD-P1400 can decode TrueHD or not, but I can always try it on my PS3. I've never had any problems with bitstreaming before, but it's worth a shot.

[Josh]

I found the track weak as well as the video below standard. I would have rated this release a lot lower than everyone has been rating it.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

What kind of sub are you using because I'm starting to think that you and I are talking about two differnet kinds of low frequencies. I don't consider a track to be "reference" or "incredible" unless it extends well(among other things) like 18-20Hz in at least a few of the scenes.

Can you name a couple of movies for me that do extend that low. I just got my new sub and would like to see the scenes you are talking about.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by Josh

I found the track weak as well as the video below standard. I would have rated this release a lot lower than everyone has been rating it.

That is why you are the news editor and not a reviewer.

Joking.

But it is a good thing.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Can you name a couple of movies for me that do extend that low. I just got my new sub and would like to see the scenes you are talking about.

Hitman was outta control - the whole movie. The Flying compass had one scene where the ship passed by that nearly blew my walls out, Felon had some very deep bass in the opening scene although the rest of the sound was sub-par. I have not watched U-571 on BD yet, but that is rumored to have some very deep bass with the depth charges.

As for DVD's, there is some very deep bass on the Team America soundtrack, especially the opening explosion of the words "Team America" and Stardust has a scene where a meteor hits earth that is bone-rattling.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Josh

I found the track weak as well as the video below standard. I would have rated this release a lot lower than everyone has been rating it.

From everything I have read, the video encode is identical to the HD-DVD version with the only difference is that it peaks at a higher bitrate because of the format.
While higher peaks are always nice, the basic encode is the same.
It would take quite an eye to be able to tell the difference.
(not that the HD-DVD encode was bad to begin with)

The main issue with the HD-DVD release was the DD+ soundtrack that was used because space issues did not allow a TrueHD track.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Hitman was outta control - the whole movie. The Flying compass had one scene where the ship passed by that nearly blew my walls out, Felon had some very deep bass in the opening scene although the rest of the sound was sub-par. I have not watched U-571 on BD yet, but that is rumored to have some very deep bass with the depth charges.

As for DVD's, there is some very deep bass on the Team America soundtrack, especially the opening explosion of the words "Team America" and Stardust has a scene where a meteor hits earth that is bone-rattling.

Dang, I have none of those. I was considering picking up U-571 though...

[bootman]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Dang, I have none of those. I was considering picking up U-571 though...

Cloverfield, Blackhawk Down, Mr. & Mrs. Smith are a few more titles to try.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Josh

I found the track weak as well as the video below standard. I would have rated this release a lot lower than everyone has been rating it.

I was pretty pleased with it but i don't have the HD-DVD version so I cannot compare.