DTS Pares Master Audio Down to Essentials

Bravestime · 01-22-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

There is a new wrinkle in DTS-HD Master Audio, the lossless audio codec. In a new version called DTS-HD Master Audio Essential, it will keep the new and ultra-hip lossless surround codec MA, but will downconvert several lesser-known ones to basic DTS 5.1.

As the brief press release explains: "The main difference between DTS-HD Master Audio Essential and DTS-HD Master Audio is that Essential does not support DTS Neo:6."

It adds: "For standard-def DVD only, DTS-HD Master Audio Essential products do not currently support DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo: 6. However, DTS' backwards compatibility for content playback makes it possible for you to automatically enjoy your standard-def DVD entertainment experience with DTS Digital Surround."

These omissions are not necessarily fatal. In Blu-ray, the most frequent use of DTS is lossless Master Audio, and you'll get that under either the original MA logo or the Essential logo. Neo:6 is a matrixed process designed to convert two-channel signals to surround, so it's never used in movies and therefore not a factor in either Blu-ray or DVD. 96/24 is mainly for high-res DVD music releases, but not too many of them. The only concern for movie buffs might be the downconversion of ES and ES Matrix soundtracks, the 6.1- and 7.1-channel versions of old-school lossy DTS, in DVD.

Even this may be avoidable, says DTS: "If you desire to playback the full DTS technology feature set with a DTS Master Audio Essential player for either high-def or standard-def content, you can simply change the audio setup mode in your player to stream out over HDMI and let your DTS-HD Master Audio receiver decode the DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo: 6. Please reference your player user manual for details on audio setup." I think what DTS is saying is that you can avoid the downconversion by setting your Essential player to output the bitstream, so your receiver will do the decoding.

DTS-HD Master Audio Essential is featured in two new Panasonic Blu-ray players, DMP-BD60 and DMP-BD80.

Why this, why now? Licensing surround codecs costs money, and DTS (and Dolby) have come up with so many of them that manufacturers may be balking at the cost. Essential will let you have your oh-so-cool Master Audio, without sonic compromise, at a lower price. Good thing, eh?

Link: http://hometheatermag.com/news/012109dtsessential/

**PFC5** · 01-22-2009, 12:20 PM

Do I read that right that even receivers would have the more limiting Essentials version in the future? If so, it looks like I may have to buy another receiver before even the receivers move to this.

Stew4HD · 01-22-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Do I read that right that even receivers would have the more limiting Essentials version in the future? If so, it looks like I may have to buy another receiver before even the receivers move to this.

Oh joy.. my BD35s are "crippled" for Essential!

ack_bak · 01-22-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Do I read that right that even receivers would have the more limiting Essentials version in the future? If so, it looks like I may have to buy another receiver before even the receivers move to this.

That is not how I am reading it. What they are saying is that if you desire: DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo: 6, (and assuming the disc is authored with DTS HD MA Essentials), you will want to bitstream to your player to let it handle the codec.

I always choose DTS HD MA (I have a 5.1 setup) so this change would have no affect on either of my BD players (Panasonic BD35 and Sammy 1500). Unless I am reading this wrong.

ack_bak · 01-22-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4HD

Oh joy.. my BD35s are "crippled" for Essential!

If you look at page 44 of your Panasonic BD35 manual you will see that the BD35 is licensed for DTS-HD Master Audio Essentials

Lee Stewart · 01-22-2009, 01:30 PM

DTS Neo 6

Neo 6, DTS's foray into a multi-channel matrix from two-channel source, was created to compete with Dolby Digital II. Neo 6 succeeds in one-upping Pro Logic II with the addition of an extra rear channel, a center surround. The speaker setup for Neo:6 includes front left and right, a center, two rear speakers for a single surround channel and one or two surround rear speakers play an additional rear surround channel and a sub channel for low-frequency bass management.

From Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital...stem#DTS_Neo:6

ack_bak · 01-22-2009, 01:46 PM

Have read around some more on this and it appears that DTS HD MS Essentials is strictly for players from what I can tell (cannot link to the info because it is found at AVS) So if you still need support for DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo: 6, you will simply want to bitstream over HDMI and use your AVR.

I really do not think this is a big deal at all.

Stew4HD · 01-22-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack_bak

If you look at page 44 of your Panasonic BD35 manual you will see that the BD35 is licensed for DTS-HD Master Audio Essentials

Ah, cool. Thanks... You know I read that manual cover to cover.. but just .. umm, forgot that part

..

okay, I didn't read it!

I guess this will be a FW update or it's already implimented.

**kamspy** · 01-22-2009, 05:13 PM

Sounds like an easy PS3 update.

**PFC5** · 01-22-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack_bak

Have read around some more on this and it appears that DTS HD MS Essentials is strictly for players from what I can tell (cannot link to the info because it is found at AVS) So if you still need support for DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo: 6, you will simply want to bitstream over HDMI and use your AVR.

I really do not think this is a big deal at all.

If it is only for players then I agree it is not a big deal. However, if they start doing the same thing with receivers too, then it could be a problem down the road IMO. What are the odds that the receiver mfg start doing this on the lower/mid end models to save on licensing fees, especially in this economy?

I am just looking to the future and not just what they wrote about for the article.

ack_bak · 01-22-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamspy

Sounds like an easy PS3 update.

I think this has already happened to the PS3 according to AVS. It happened awhile back.

ack_bak · 01-22-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

If it is only for players then I agree it is not a big deal. However, if they start doing the same thing with receivers too, then it could be a problem down the road IMO. What are the odds that the receiver mfg start doing this on the lower/mid end models to save on licensing fees, especially in this economy?

I am just looking to the future and not just what they wrote about for the article.

Depends. Will you need support for DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and/or Neo: 6? I will just be using the DTS-HD-MA track for all my players and receivers. So the whole thing is a moot point for me even if receivers get stripped of the support the above.

**PFC5** · 01-23-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack_bak

Depends. Will you need support for DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and/or Neo: 6? I will just be using the DTS-HD-MA track for all my players and receivers. So the whole thing is a moot point for me even if receivers get stripped of the support the above.

That is fine with BD movies, but how about SD DVDs? I have quite a few of them and own titles that do not look like they will make it to BD anytime soon. I always tried to buy the DTS-ES versions of titles whenever possible and paid extra for them when necessary. If I watch them I do not want to lose the rear speakers not being used with them.

I also like the Neo:6 for a lot of 5.1 DD matrixing of the rear surrounds of cable shows. If I can replace Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan, etc etc, with BD versions then it will be less of an issue, but until then, I want to continue to use them as they were intended and with full support myself.

**kamspy** · 01-23-2009, 01:29 AM

I have no idea what this product is

Maybe I'm thicker than usual this week

ack_bak · 01-23-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

That is fine with BD movies, but how about SD DVDs? I have quite a few of them and own titles that do not look like they will make it to BD anytime soon. I always tried to buy the DTS-ES versions of titles whenever possible and paid extra for them when necessary. If I watch them I do not want to lose the rear speakers not being used with them.

I also like the Neo:6 for a lot of 5.1 DD matrixing of the rear surrounds of cable shows. If I can replace Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan, etc etc, with BD versions then it will be less of an issue, but until then, I want to continue to use them as they were intended and with full support myself.

As long as your receiver supports those codecs you will be fine.

01-22-2009, 12:20 PM	#2
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,402	Do I read that right that even receivers would have the more limiting Essentials version in the future? If so, it looks like I may have to buy another receiver before even the receivers move to this. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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01-22-2009, 01:30 PM	#6
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 58 Posts: 25,193	DTS Neo 6 Neo 6, DTS's foray into a multi-channel matrix from two-channel source, was created to compete with Dolby Digital II. Neo 6 succeeds in one-upping Pro Logic II with the addition of an extra rear channel, a center surround. The speaker setup for Neo:6 includes front left and right, a center, two rear speakers for a single surround channel and one or two surround rear speakers play an additional rear surround channel and a sub channel for low-frequency bass management. From Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital...stem#DTS_Neo:6

01-22-2009, 01:46 PM	#7
ack_bak Hidef Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,416	Have read around some more on this and it appears that DTS HD MS Essentials is strictly for players from what I can tell (cannot link to the info because it is found at AVS) So if you still need support for DTS 96/24, ES, ES Matrix, and Neo: 6, you will simply want to bitstream over HDMI and use your AVR. I really do not think this is a big deal at all.

01-22-2009, 05:13 PM	#9
kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,057	Sounds like an easy PS3 update.

01-23-2009, 01:29 AM	#14
kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,057	I have no idea what this product is Maybe I'm thicker than usual this week