Where's the Bass? No bottom end with Dolby TrueHD?

[denguy]

I've got a Yamaha RX-V3900 amp with a Sony BDSP-550 blu-ray player using HDMI video/audio connections and a 7.1 home theater setup with a quality Velodyne sub. I'm finding wild inconsistencies in the low frequency output of blu-ray discs:

1. PCM rocks. Full surround soundfield plus room shaking low end. Example: Fifth Element.

2. DTS 5.1 HD rocks. Full surround soundfield plus earth shaking low end. Example: Chronicles of Riddick; Fantastic 4 Silver Surfer.

3. Dobly Digital 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD are hit and miss and can really suck. The Dark Knight and Bladerunner are great. But on other discs, I have to jack the volume and still NO FREAKIN' LOW END. Examples: Transformers, Fifth Element (using the Dolby TrueHD track) and especially Terminator 3. T3 makes me want to break the blu-ray disc into tiny little pieces and mail it back to Warner Bros. I read the reviews on this site and others claiming high impact sound with bottom end impact, but I'm not hearing it at all.

Can somebody help me figure out what the deal is with these discs? I've got the dynamic range control set to "OFF" on my receiver so that's not affecting the audio input. Why shouldn't I break my T3 disc in half?

[Tru2theBlu]

Originally Posted by denguy

3. Dobly Digital 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD are hit and miss and can really suck. The Dark Knight and Bladerunner are great. But on other discs, I have to jack the volume and still NO FREAKIN' LOW END. Examples: Transformers, Fifth Element (using the Dolby TrueHD track) and especially Terminator 3. T3 makes me want to break the blu-ray disc into tiny little pieces and mail it back to Warner Bros. I read the reviews on this site and others claiming high impact sound with bottom end impact, but I'm not hearing it at all.

Can somebody help me figure out what the deal is with these discs? I've got the dynamic range control set to "OFF" on my receiver so that's not affecting the audio input. Why shouldn't I break my T3 disc in half?

Transformers has a ****-load of bass! I have to turn my sub down, so that I do not break something in my house. I do not own the same receiver as you, but it must be the settings that you are using. Someone here will help you, but I promise you that once you get your bass going on Transformers, you will watch it over and over again.

[silversnake]

Originally Posted by Tru2theBlu

Transformers has a ****-load of bass! I have to turn my sub down, so that I do not break something in my house. I do not own the same receiver as you, but it must be the settings that you are using. Someone here will help you, but I promise you that once you get your bass going on Transformers, you will watch it over and over again.

My sub is barely turned on. Not even 10% of the whole dial because when I put Transformers in the first time my picture frame above it fell... It's something with your system

[denguy]

It must be settings on my receiver, but I can't figure why DTS HD soundtracks shake the floor with low end but my Dolby 5.1 discs are weak. Transformers has average bass response on my system right now, but not at all the earth rattling it looks like it should produce. And, again, T3 makes me crazy it's so light on the bottom end. It's probably something simple but I'm hoping someone can help me.

[denguy]

Originally Posted by silversnake

My sub is barely turned on. Not even 10% of the whole dial because when I put Transformers in the first time my picture frame above it fell... It's something with your system

You mean I'm supposed to read the manual? Well it turns out I had the audio priority settings on my blu-ray set to Coaxial/Optical for some reason. Changed it to HDMI and this seems to have solved the problem.

I played Transformers and T3 and there's the low end! Shakes my living room like it should. Still don't understand why DTS HD 5.1 would have worked before I changed that setting while Dolby tracks wouldn't, but this has solved it for all types of audio tracks. Can't thank you enough.

[dvd_mazter]

With my reciever, I always find Dolby True HD to be a bit quieter as well on most tracks especially with the sub. Some of them are fantastic (Transformers, TDK) but I wasn't all that impressed with some of their tracks. (Body of Lies, Eagle Eye)

I figured it is my system that doesn't like Dolby True HD however I just watch Paul Blart: Mall Cop and it kicked up my sub quite a bit and it was Dolby True HD so I have no clue why

Oh, and both PCM & DTS are awesome on my system, I always look forward to the audio when I see one of those on the back cover

[WTFBBQ]

Originally Posted by denguy

You mean I'm supposed to read the manual? Well it turns out I had the audio priority settings on my blu-ray set to Coaxial/Optical for some reason. Changed it to HDMI and this seems to have solved the problem.

I played Transformers and T3 and there's the low end! Shakes my living room like it should. Still don't understand why DTS HD 5.1 would have worked before I changed that setting while Dolby tracks wouldn't, but this has solved it for all types of audio tracks. Can't thank you enough.

Your DTS tracks should sound even better now as you were never getting the HD audio track in either case. I think it's a matter of the core dts track is better than the core dolby track on average because it carries more information.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by denguy

You mean I'm supposed to read the manual? Well it turns out I had the audio priority settings on my blu-ray set to Coaxial/Optical for some reason. Changed it to HDMI and this seems to have solved the problem.

I played Transformers and T3 and there's the low end! Shakes my living room like it should. Still don't understand why DTS HD 5.1 would have worked before I changed that setting while Dolby tracks wouldn't, but this has solved it for all types of audio tracks. Can't thank you enough.

The reason is becuase you were getting the 1.5 mb/s core from the DTS-MA track over your optical connection. You weren't actually getting DTS-HD then. Dolby is not built around a lossy core signal, so with those soundtracks, you were probably just getting 2.0 PCM since that is the most that an optical connection can deliver. That is why your subwoofer was not on. By changing your connection to HDMI, you now have access to all lossless audio. Enjoy

[denguy]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

The reason is becuase you were getting the 1.5 mb/s core from the DTS-MA track over your optical connection. You weren't actually getting DTS-HD then. Dolby is not built around a lossy core signal, so with those soundtracks, you were probably just getting 2.0 PCM since that is the most that an optical connection can deliver. That is why your subwoofer was not on. By changing your connection to HDMI, you now have access to all lossless audio. Enjoy

Thanks! I am looking forward to getting to know my blu-ray discs again.

[SoCalTiger]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

The reason is becuase you were getting the 1.5 mb/s core from the DTS-MA track over your optical connection. You weren't actually getting DTS-HD then. Dolby is not built around a lossy core signal, so with those soundtracks, you were probably just getting 2.0 PCM since that is the most that an optical connection can deliver. That is why your subwoofer was not on. By changing your connection to HDMI, you now have access to all lossless audio. Enjoy

No, my understanding is that Dolby TrueHD is backwards compatible to Dolby Digital. So TrueHD track played over optical should come over as DD.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by denguy

I've got a Yamaha RX-V3900 amp with a Sony BDSP-550 blu-ray player using HDMI video/audio connections and a 7.1 home theater setup with a quality Velodyne sub. I'm finding wild inconsistencies in the low frequency output of blu-ray discs:

1. PCM rocks. Full surround soundfield plus room shaking low end. Example: Fifth Element.

2. DTS 5.1 HD rocks. Full surround soundfield plus earth shaking low end. Example: Chronicles of Riddick; Fantastic 4 Silver Surfer.

3. Dobly Digital 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD are hit and miss and can really suck. The Dark Knight and Bladerunner are great. But on other discs, I have to jack the volume and still NO FREAKIN' LOW END. Examples: Transformers, Fifth Element (using the Dolby TrueHD track) and especially Terminator 3. T3 makes me want to break the blu-ray disc into tiny little pieces and mail it back to Warner Bros. I read the reviews on this site and others claiming high impact sound with bottom end impact, but I'm not hearing it at all.

Can somebody help me figure out what the deal is with these discs? I've got the dynamic range control set to "OFF" on my receiver so that's not affecting the audio input. Why shouldn't I break my T3 disc in half?

You have a setup/equip issue of some sort.

TrueHD=PCM=DTS-MA

If you are not getting ridiculous LFE/bass from Transformers, Cloverfield, Iron Man, Underworld 3, Matrix films, etc.....something is wrong.

[ALLIANCE68]

Originally Posted by denguy

I've got a Yamaha RX-V3900 amp with a Sony BDSP-550 blu-ray player using HDMI video/audio connections and a 7.1 home theater setup with a quality Velodyne sub. I'm finding wild inconsistencies in the low frequency output of blu-ray discs:

1. PCM rocks. Full surround soundfield plus room shaking low end. Example: Fifth Element.

2. DTS 5.1 HD rocks. Full surround soundfield plus earth shaking low end. Example: Chronicles of Riddick; Fantastic 4 Silver Surfer.

3. Dobly Digital 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD are hit and miss and can really suck. The Dark Knight and Bladerunner are great. But on other discs, I have to jack the volume and still NO FREAKIN' LOW END. Examples: Transformers, Fifth Element (using the Dolby TrueHD track) and especially Terminator 3. T3 makes me want to break the blu-ray disc into tiny little pieces and mail it back to Warner Bros. I read the reviews on this site and others claiming high impact sound with bottom end impact, but I'm not hearing it at all.

Can somebody help me figure out what the deal is with these discs? I've got the dynamic range control set to "OFF" on my receiver so that's not affecting the audio input. Why shouldn't I break my T3 disc in half?

1) DRC Dynamic range control does not affect PCM

2) DRC Dynamic range control does not affect DTS

3) DRC was created to be used with any DD codecs. Some discs will turn this on automatically if the receiver and/or player has the DRC turned to auto; this is why some discs sound great and some sound soft. Go into your settings on both and make sure they are turned OFF. Enjoy!

[cajmoyper]

This is the kind of bullspit that convinces ignorant BD-adopters to shy away from the format. If you thought Transformers had no low-end bass, you're insane!

[denguy]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

This is the kind of bullspit that convinces ignorant BD-adopters to shy away from the format. If you thought Transformers had no low-end bass, you're insane!

If you had bothered to read the thread through, you'd know that the problem was real, that I solved it with the advice of several forum members by changing an audio output setting on my blu-ray player, and that I replied and thanked everyone for their help. Though I've seen ignorant and unfriendly exchanges between forum members before, this is the first time I've had the privilege of being a victim of it. And all I can say is, to borrow your words, yours is the kind of behavior that convinces the amateur enthusiast to shy away from contributing to online forums.

[cajmoyper]

You not understanding how your player works is what I was talking about. And to add to that, you stated that the codec was the problem and not necessarily just that particular transfer. I stand by what I said.

[rileyparrish]

I don't even have a sub! I have my CRS frequency cranked to 160 and all my speaker set to "small" even though I have a large center and full range fronts and I STILL get too much bass in some movies...I'm in an apartment so trying to be considerate.

The first time I watched Rambo without adjusting the settings to lower the bass my balcony window almost blew out(j/k) but the .50 cal chain gun at the end was shaking my floor and I dont even have a mid or high end system by any means! All of the codecs have sufficient bass I find, especially in the PCM on Pirates' movies...it never stops.

[icyteddy]

I believe it may be your setup. Transformers offer one of the best reference material for a Dolby True HD track. I have to turn down my bass to prevent my windows from shattering! If you want to talk about one of the weaker Dolby True HD...Iron Man in my system has a more softer tone than others. Believe me Transformers is one of the blu ray you want to show off to your friends in terms of PQ AND AQ.

[denguy]

Well it was definitely my setup. Played Transformers, T3, I Robot, and even the non-blu-ray DVD of LOTR The Two Towers. My living room is still shaking. Can't thank you guys enough for the obvious but much needed advice.