Lossless Audio...Is it Worth it? - Blu-ray Forum

Tekrad · 12-22-2008, 12:59 PM

I made the mistake in buying the Panasonic BD30 that decodes but doesn't reproduce lossless audio.I have an older amp that doesn't reproduce lossless audio either.In all honesty,is it really such a noticeable audio improvement over a really good DD or DTS movie sountrack?
Tekrad

RazorFromHRSnet · 12-22-2008, 01:28 PM

I depends on how good the audio master being encoded losslessly is, how good the DD/DTS encode was done, and the quality of your equipment. Chances are if you have a system that cost even $2k or so, speakers and amp, you might not hear much of a difference. You will probably hear some increased presence in the sound, more bass posssibly. If you've already go the TV of your dreams, I'd recomment a new recceiver next, followed by upgrading the front speakers, then rear.

aramis109 · 12-22-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorFromHRSnet

I depends on how good the audio master being encoded losslessly is, how good the DD/DTS encode was done, and the quality of your equipment. Chances are if you have a system that cost even $2k or so, speakers and amp, you might not hear much of a difference. You will probably hear some increased presence in the sound, more bass posssibly. If you've already go the TV of your dreams, I'd recomment a new recceiver next, followed by upgrading the front speakers, then rear.

I disagree. While I will agree that its dependent on your equipment, I spent far less than $2k and feel that I get a lot of benefit from lossless audio. I do agree with the rest of your statements though.

I don't know that I'd call it "worlds better" but it IS definitely an improvement. There's more of a dynamic range like at the theater, combined with a fuller sound. You also get more subtleties in the audio that sometimes aren't there in lossy codecs. Overall I definitely recommend it if you're thinking about it.

Infrared Sight · 12-22-2008, 04:35 PM

Lossless is definitely an improvement over lossy. Even though I don't have great speakers(I bought them in a htib), after I got my Onkyo 605, there was an awesome improvement in sound quality. When I upgrade my speakers to 'real' ones, I expect it to be even better.

SDon1969 · 12-22-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infrared Sight

Lossless is definitely an improvement over lossy. Even though I don't have great speakers(I bought them in a htib), after I got my Onkyo 605, there was an awesome improvement in sound quality. When I upgrade my speakers to 'real' ones, I expect it to be even better.

Agreed, I upgraded from a HTiB to the 605 as well, and don't regret it.

phantompwr · 12-22-2008, 04:48 PM

Definitely worth it. I don't think CD quality is enough, and regular Dolby Digital and DTS are compressed to use less room for 5.1 channels than that!
The biggest difference comes from the bits per sample though. I could live without 96kHz or 192kHz sampling rates, but I want 24bit depth!

popcornninja · 01-01-2009, 01:10 AM

Let me start by saying I'm no expert, but there is a lot of talk about the picture upgrade of Blu-Ray which is well deserved but after get my Onkyo 605 and adding 2 more speakers (so I could access 6.1 and 7.1 tracks) it has been a whole new world.

I used to go to the movies about every weekend......now my home theater room is where I spend most my time not just for the picture but for the killer sound of a lossless track.

Canada · 01-01-2009, 02:45 AM

Hell yes

lghaze42 · 01-01-2009, 03:38 AM

Very much so.I was happy with my sound before ,but lossless is amazing.Especially the DTS MA 7.1 titles.Hellboy 2 was totally awesome.

GGX · 01-01-2009, 11:03 AM

This is what we call a landslide.

Jock Blu · 01-01-2009, 12:47 PM

I think lossless is just about as significant as 1080p in improving the HT experience when compared to lossy audio / SD video.

Joe

PS3+HDDVD OWNER · 01-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Try it for yourself.

Watch Band of Brothers BD with standard sound from your tv speakers..

Then watch the same show with DTS-HD MA..

Then tell me what you think

Beta Man · 01-02-2009, 02:20 PM

I voted "No" but I'm not speaking for myself, I'm speaking for "Most" casual movie-goers, Dolby Digital etc. is more than enough... afterall, MOST just use t.v. speakers

If you're like me though, "yes" Lossless is the bee's knees

Disciple of Vedder · 01-30-2009, 10:55 PM

I survived on just plain old DD/DTS for nearly a year and I had my doubts that the new audio codecs were that much better. Still, I kept feeling like I was missing something. I wanted to get the most out of my Blus so I finally got the Sony STR-DG820. It was only $320 plus my old Sony receiver was eight years old and I wanted some iPod support (besides the crappy minijack to rca cable).

I have to say I was impressed with the improved fidelity. I didn't change my speakers at all and I noticed a great improvement with Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master or Lossless. It seems like there are so many subtle nuances in the soundtracks, especially on newer action epics like TDK and Iron Man. So far I haven't added two speakers since I only have two titles that even support 7.1 sound (3:10 to Yuma and Rambo). I want to go all out but the girlfriend frowns upon cluttering up the living room with two more speakers (insert whip noise here). You can be assured that if 7.1 goes mainstream on BDs that she will be swiftly overruled.

The only annoying thing about the new audio codecs is that the actual designation doesn't show up on your reciever if your BD player is the PS3. It will only say "Multichannel LPCM" or something like that. There have been instances where I have watched half of a movie in regular DD 5.1 instead of TrueHD because I forgot to switch the audio.

theu715 · 02-03-2009, 06:21 PM

I upgraded my receiver shortly after getting my PS3. I am more of an audio person though, and I already had a 7.1 speaker system. I think the audio is the thing that is the biggest difference on Blu IMO that is.

Suntory_Times · 02-04-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple of Vedder

So far I haven't added two speakers since I only have two titles that even support 7.1 sound (3:10 to Yuma and Rambo). I want to go all out but the girlfriend frowns upon cluttering up the living room with two more speakers (insert whip noise here).

Couldn't resist.

and in answer to the actual post, i've got a mix between the two possible answers. Yes, it is a little better than DD or DTS and to me worth it. Diminishing returns are ever present though and I do most of my watching atm via headphones as i'm in shared accomodation.

View Poll Results: Is Lossless Audio worth Buying a new AMP?
Yes,it's a whole new world	74	89.16%
No,it's just a little better than DD or DTS	9	10.84%
Voters: 83. You may not vote on this poll

12-22-2008, 12:59 PM	#1
Tekrad Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Fort Lauderdale Blu-ray reviews: 8	Lossless Audio...Is it Worth it? I made the mistake in buying the Panasonic BD30 that decodes but doesn't reproduce lossless audio.I have an older amp that doesn't reproduce lossless audio either.In all honesty,is it really such a noticeable audio improvement over a really good DD or DTS movie sountrack? Tekrad

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Lossless Audio	Newbie Discussion	flapalms239	9	01-14-2019 06:34 PM
Windows Media Audio Lossless vs Free Lossles Audio Codec?	Blu-ray PCs, Laptops, Drives, Media and Software	Sammy	7	07-25-2011 03:30 AM
What is lossless audio?	Audio Theory and Discussion	Atreyu	16	03-27-2010 09:15 PM
Lossless audio	Audio Theory and Discussion	browndk26	10	10-23-2009 06:30 PM
HD audio format - Lossless audio codecs: PCM vs Dolby True HD vs DTS HD-MA questions	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	i want HD movies	13	01-01-2007 01:32 PM

12-22-2008, 01:28 PM	#2
RazorFromHRSnet Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Blu-ray collection:89 Blu-ray reviews:1	I depends on how good the audio master being encoded losslessly is, how good the DD/DTS encode was done, and the quality of your equipment. Chances are if you have a system that cost even $2k or so, speakers and amp, you might not hear much of a difference. You will probably hear some increased presence in the sound, more bass posssibly. If you've already go the TV of your dreams, I'd recomment a new recceiver next, followed by upgrading the front speakers, then rear.

12-22-2008, 04:35 PM	#4
Infrared Sight Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Southern Utah Home Theater Gallery:65 4K collection:26 Blu-ray collection:630 Trading Score:38	Lossless is definitely an improvement over lossy. Even though I don't have great speakers(I bought them in a htib), after I got my Onkyo 605, there was an awesome improvement in sound quality. When I upgrade my speakers to 'real' ones, I expect it to be even better.

12-22-2008, 04:48 PM	#6
phantompwr Active Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Cape Cod, MA Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:63	Definitely worth it. I don't think CD quality is enough, and regular Dolby Digital and DTS are compressed to use less room for 5.1 channels than that! The biggest difference comes from the bits per sample though. I could live without 96kHz or 192kHz sampling rates, but I want 24bit depth!

01-01-2009, 01:10 AM	#7
popcornninja Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Boise Home Theater Gallery:52 Blu-ray collection:507 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:272	Let me start by saying I'm no expert, but there is a lot of talk about the picture upgrade of Blu-Ray which is well deserved but after get my Onkyo 605 and adding 2 more speakers (so I could access 6.1 and 7.1 tracks) it has been a whole new world. I used to go to the movies about every weekend......now my home theater room is where I spend most my time not just for the picture but for the killer sound of a lossless track.

01-01-2009, 02:45 AM	#8
Canada Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Victoria, BC Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:305 Blu-ray collection:1201 DVD collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:42	Hell yes

01-01-2009, 03:38 AM	#9
lghaze42 Senior Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Princeton West Virginia Home Theater Gallery:23	Very much so.I was happy with my sound before ,but lossless is amazing.Especially the DTS MA 7.1 titles.Hellboy 2 was totally awesome.

01-01-2009, 11:03 AM	#10
GGX Banned Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Kentwood, Michigan Blu-ray collection:262 Trading Score:2	This is what we call a landslide.

01-01-2009, 12:47 PM	#11
Jock Blu Active Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:7	I think lossless is just about as significant as 1080p in improving the HT experience when compared to lossy audio / SD video. Joe

01-01-2009, 04:00 PM	#12
PS3+HDDVD OWNER Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Chicago Trading Score:12	Try it for yourself. Watch Band of Brothers BD with standard sound from your tv speakers.. Then watch the same show with DTS-HD MA.. Then tell me what you think

01-02-2009, 02:20 PM	#13
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I voted "No" but I'm not speaking for myself, I'm speaking for "Most" casual movie-goers, Dolby Digital etc. is more than enough... afterall, MOST just use t.v. speakers If you're like me though, "yes" Lossless is the bee's knees

01-30-2009, 10:55 PM	#14
Disciple of Vedder Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA 4K collection:1283 Blu-ray collection:4393 DVD collection:116 Trading Score:601	I survived on just plain old DD/DTS for nearly a year and I had my doubts that the new audio codecs were that much better. Still, I kept feeling like I was missing something. I wanted to get the most out of my Blus so I finally got the Sony STR-DG820. It was only $320 plus my old Sony receiver was eight years old and I wanted some iPod support (besides the crappy minijack to rca cable). I have to say I was impressed with the improved fidelity. I didn't change my speakers at all and I noticed a great improvement with Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master or Lossless. It seems like there are so many subtle nuances in the soundtracks, especially on newer action epics like TDK and Iron Man. So far I haven't added two speakers since I only have two titles that even support 7.1 sound (3:10 to Yuma and Rambo). I want to go all out but the girlfriend frowns upon cluttering up the living room with two more speakers (insert whip noise here). You can be assured that if 7.1 goes mainstream on BDs that she will be swiftly overruled. The only annoying thing about the new audio codecs is that the actual designation doesn't show up on your reciever if your BD player is the PS3. It will only say "Multichannel LPCM" or something like that. There have been instances where I have watched half of a movie in regular DD 5.1 instead of TrueHD because I forgot to switch the audio.

02-03-2009, 06:21 PM	#15
theu715 Active Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Tampa, FL Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:303 Trading Score:40	I upgraded my receiver shortly after getting my PS3. I am more of an audio person though, and I already had a 7.1 speaker system. I think the audio is the thing that is the biggest difference on Blu IMO that is.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals