Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, still not ready for prime time?
As an audio guy I'm super curious about HD DVD and Blu-ray's high-resolution audio formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD-Master Audio. Yes, they've been around for awhile now, but listening to the super duper formats hasn't been easy. I haven't yet heard them at home, and show demos haven't been of much help in determining the sonic advantages of the lossless formats. The potential for much better than standard Dolby and DTS sound is there, but getting there, well, I'm still waiting.
Thomas J. Norton's recent Ultimate AV column described in detail just how tricky the road to high-rez sound can be, even for someone as tech savvy as Norton. Yes, you need a HDMI 1.3 HD player hooked up to a HDMI 1.3 A/V receiver like Onkyo's TX-SR875, along with discs encoded in either of the lossless formats, but even then, there's no guaranty you're gong to hear high-rez sound. Norton concludes that the first generation HDMI 1.3 Blu-ray and HD DVD players cannot pass Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio at FULL resolution. True, there may be new or modified chips that can, but Norton's unaware of any currently available players equipped with the new chip. What can I say, other than buyer beware?
Steve Guttenberg is a frequent contributor to magazines and Web sites including Home Entertainment, Playback, and Ultimate AV. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. 
I would record (write down the existing settings probably in the TV manual) before changing any of them.
I would use a THX DVD film discs; Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark are probably some examples - I use Star Wars III, because I read at least one artical on dedicated calibration disc and was not impress with what they had to say about them and THX DVD film discs calibration is free with film.
Problems:
1) Since, I donot have the glasses so I skip the Tint test. Use either forward or skip forward key to move to the next page if necessary.
2) On a particular page instead of dealing with the shadow I prefer to count the 7th square.
3) White squares - it is impossible to get it exact, but you can repeat the calibration again if wrong.
One of the best methods to calibrate sound is by using a sound meter that I have never used:
1) The centre (speech) channel should be facing the sitting position.
2) The front; right and left speakers should form a triangle with the listening position.
3) The rear speakers left and right, I have Mission 78/87. I cannot remember the type of sound they give out, but I don't have to remember that the angle should be 120 degrees I think it is slightly higher than the listening poision and it could be placed into the corner of the room.
Hi-fi magazines sometimes give an indication of where and how speakers should be placed.
Asked the dealers where you purchased your various equipment from or telephone high end (expensive hi-fi) dealers and ask them. More intelligent people are the more likely they are willing to help.
You can also telephone the manufacturers and ask to speak to a competent technician. since you have Bose (speakers) and Sony receiver, you should contact both; Bose and Sony, between them they should be able to help you.
Before I forget, after using THX disc to calibrate picture (video) I would also use a manual approach:
1) If the picture has a slight white glaze - Brightness to high. I would gradually reduce the brightness and increase the contrast (latter to increase detail). This is because you should be able to see a person's individual hair strands.
2) If you cannot see all the details in a dark background then I would increase the brightness slightly without having a white wash across the screen.
3) Increase or decrease colour to make sure that the skin tone is natural as possible.
I apologise for duplicating things, but to summarize:
1) Record TV settings probably in the TV manual.
2) Call the Sony TV Department and ask to speak to a competent calibration technician, who has the ability to talk you through calibrating your TV. Then record the settings.
3) Contact Bose and Sony's Receiver (prbably AVR) Department and ask them to talk you through setting-up your speakers, especially height and angles. Each time record the settings.
4) Use the THX (clibration) DVDs and record settings
5) Use the manual approach and record settings.
This means that if you make a mistake you could go back to any of the previous calibrations until you eventually perfect it. It is impossible to perfect the calibration for everything, but you can reach an excellent balance over time.
- Dolby TrueHD and Uncompressed PCM
- by DantheAVMan November 5, 2007 9:13 PM PST
- All Blu-ray players will pass uncompressed PCM audio. And with firmware updates Dolby TrueHD. You don?t need HDMI 1.3 to enjoy this audio. All you need is a Receiver with HDMI and a Blu-ray or HD DVD player.
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