In this installment of You Asked: Is no Dolby Vision a no-go? Should you attempt for Dolby Atmos when you’ve got funky ceilings? Is OLED the very best substitute for an growing older plasma? And streaming versus 4K Blu-ray, which is healthier and why.
The Dolby Vision dilemma
Samsung S95C Digital Trends
ZM Knox asks: I’ve been searching for an OLED TV. And right here within the U.S., meaning I solely actually have three model choices: Samsung, LG, and (if I select to open my pockets additional than I actually need to) Sony. But I hesitate to go for a Samsung TV as a result of it lacks Dolby Vision assist. It looks like most companies nonetheless solely supply Dolby Vision and not HDR10+ content material. Does it appear affordable to cross Samsung off my listing of choices attributable to their lack of Vision assist? Is this truly a difficulty in follow?
Well, I’m going to partially reply your query right here as a result of I’ve but to do a real-world Dolby Vision-versus-HDR 10 publish that I can level you to. So, for now, I’ll say this:
First off, I’m as annoyed as a lot of you might be that Samsung refuses to do enterprise with Dolby. Samsung might argue that Dolby Vision is pointless and doesn’t present a notable profit. It might argue that HDR 10+ — the usual it helped develop — is simply pretty much as good and that it doesn’t need to cross the price of implementing Dolby Vision on to its shoppers. You is perhaps stunned to be taught that I agree with a minimum of a few of its public-facing rationale. But right here’s my take:
I might not write off a Samsung OLED TV simply because it doesn’t assist Dolby Vision. The variety of occasions I’ve seen Dolby Vision content material look considerably higher than even simply HDR 10 content material has been minimal. In reality, there have been occasions when the Dolby Vision model didn’t look pretty much as good as the usual HDR model.
The factor about Dolby Vision is that creators will not be utilizing it to its full potential. If they had been, then it might be a no brainer — you’d actually be lacking out by not having Dolby Vision. But because it stands, I’m not satisfied that’s at present the case. And it’s actually exhausting to say when Dolby Vision will lastly turn out to be the must-have HDR format as a result of it’s so demonstrably higher.
So, so far as Dolby Vision being a necessity versus a need? I nonetheless assume it’s within the need class. However, I can’t facet with the concept Samsung doesn’t need to cross the fee on to its shoppers. I feel if that had been the precise rationale, it might be more like Samsung doesn’t need to take in the fee and, subsequently, make much less cash as a result of I don’t assume Samsung needs to go above market charge with its TVs like Sony does. Also, each different main model is supporting it — this complete pushback on Dolby Vision has actually robust “OLED is inferior” vibes — and we see the place Samsung got here down on that.
There is a lot more to image high quality than simply the HDR format that’s used. Don’t write off a TV just like the Samsung S90C or S95C — these TVs are attractive. If you need QD-OLED and you don’t need to spend Sony cash, get a Samsung. And my message is identical for anybody who’s waffling between a Samsung QLED and a competing QLED TV.
Vaulted ceilings and Dolby Atmos
Sony-HT-A9 Sony
Kutlay asks: My query is in regards to the Dolby Atmos impact in a vaulted (sloped ceiling) room. Our lounge on the decrease finish has a peak of roughly 9.5 ft, and the upper a part of the ceiling reaches as much as nearly 18 ft. As you’ve got already defined in your different articles, up-firing drivers depend upon the reflection of the sound from the ceiling. Having such a sloped ceiling goes to have an effect on these supposed reflections. So, I assume that making a Dolby Atmos impact inside this room is just not real looking (sadly, I can not set up any sort of reflector or insulator kind of board since my girlfriend didn’t like how they seemed).
Is it doable to create such an impact on this room? (I additionally can not set up roof audio system.) I´ve thought of the Samsung 990C and Sony HT-A9 thus far. Should I simply quit on that and think about a more budget-friendly sound system? Do you’ve got any recommendation?
It is true that up-firing Atmos audio system do try to make use of reflection factors to assist with some localized Dolby Atmos results, and that the character of your ceiling — from how it’s formed to the feel to the peak of the ceiling — can have an effect on the effectiveness of the Atmos impact.
However, as I’ve discovered from making an attempt numerous Atmos programs in numerous rooms with wildly various ceiling circumstances, there’s nearly all the time some profit to the presence of up-firing Atmos audio system. The depth of that distinction varies, however I’ve all the time gotten one thing out of it.
I consider it is because these Atmos audio system aren’t simply utilizing reflectivity. There is a few directionality to the up-firing audio system, so you’ll hear them in a single trend or one other. Depending on the system, processing could also be used to play with the section of the sign to attain a dome of sound impact. So, whereas it might not sound like you might level to the airplane because it flies over you since you don’t have a really localized mirrored sound, you’ll get the sense that the airplane goes over you and not simply round you.I counsel making an attempt the Sony HT-A9, which does some quite intelligent processing, and see what you assume. If you’re not darned impressed, I’d be stunned. The Samsung 990C is an especially spectacular system as effectively, and I don’t assume you’ll be dissatisfied with that both; I simply assume the A9 is so good at processing that it might assist overcome a few of the traits of your room that will appear not so Atmos-friendly.
The greatest DTS setup
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Sasha has a query about DTS and its setup: The setup can be an LG soundbar and PlayStation 5 utilizing the next connection: PS5 to LG C2 by way of HDMI, then audio from the LG C2 to the soundbar by way of HDMI eARC. Is that connection methodology the way in which to go?
No, that’s not how you’ll need to do it. The downside right here is that the LG C2 and G2 don’t cross a DTS sign by way of the TV and out by way of the HDMI ARC connection. So, you might ship DTS to the TV, however what comes out is not going to be DTS. I’m truly undecided what the LG will spit out by way of audio in that case. I’d want to check that. It might transcode it to PCM. This wouldn’t be unhealthy — however your query is how you can get DTS to the soundbar.
So, in that case, you need to join the PS5 on to the soundbar and then run a sign that passes the video to the LG C2 OLED from the soundbar’s HDMI output. That’s in case you wished DTS for a really particular cause. The factor is, that’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar, and except you’ve got some very particular DTS:X materials you need to hearken to, I might assume you’d need to keep on with Dolby Atmos. Your PS5 helps Dolby Atmos — whether or not the app you’re utilizing does or doesn’t is one other query. But, frankly, I might simply run your proposed connection and go together with Dolby Atmos and neglect about DTS. But, as I stated, when you’ve got one thing particular you’re going for with DTS, going to the soundbar first, then to the TV along with your PS5 sign is the way in which to go.
Upgrading from plasma
Sony X90L Zeke Jones / Digital Trends
Gerrit from Germany asks: I at present have an previous Sony 60W605B plasma TV and I lastly need to improve to 4K, HDMI 2.1, and all the great issues the final 10 years of TV growth introduced us.
In a number of boards, I learn that the one wise solution to improve from plasma can be an OLED TV, since I might be underwhelmed with the image high quality of an LCD compared to my previous plasma. Do you agree? Or would, for instance, a Hisense U8K or comparable even be a major and affordable improve not solely from a technical standpoint and additionally from an image high quality standpoint?
I principally watch motion pictures and TV exhibits by way of streaming apps and YouTube and play on my PS5.
I’ll neither agree nor disagree with these discussion board people as a result of I don’t need to draw the ire of the discussion board people. Anyone who has ever drawn the ire of discussion board people is aware of what I’m speaking about. It ain’t fairly. And it undoubtedly ain’t useful.
But I’ll say that I feel I perceive why they’re saying what they’re saying. They are in all probability pondering that you simply’re used to excellent black ranges and no blooming, and that the one TV tech that may do that’s OLED, so to assist hold you from being annoyed along with your new TV, they need you to avoid LCD-based know-how. And all that makes loads of sense. I can’t say I disagree with that logic.
However, some LCD TVs are extraordinarily spectacular. You’re going from a non-HDR TV to an HDR TV, which is in and of itself an enormous improve, as long as it’s a first rate HDR TV. Also, a few of the greatest LCD-based TVs have native dimming programs so good that they do a high-quality job of approaching OLED black ranges and handle to attenuate blooming an important deal.
So, I feel {that a} actually nice LCD-based TV just like the Sony X90L, Hisense U8K, or TCL QM8, for instance, would really feel like an enormous improve to your plasma in lots of respects. It actually is dependent upon how delicate you might be and what strikes you when taking a look at an image.
I’ll warning that the Hisense U8K in Germany is just not essentially the identical because the Hisense U8K now we have and rave about right here within the U.S. So, I’m undecided that mannequin is the one you ought to be taking a look at. That brings up a completely completely different dialogue, however I must cease there for now.
4K HDR streaming vs. Blu-Ray
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Jherrimiah asks: I’ve an LG G1, ATV4K, PS5, Sonos Arc & Sub. Any present 4K HDR content material I eat is by way of iTunes film purchases and streaming by way of ATV, Max, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime.
I noticed the 4K Blu-Ray launch from Criterion of Wall-E. If I had been to play that 4K Blu-Ray by way of my PS5 Blu-Ray drive, would I discover a dramatic distinction in image and audio constancy in comparison with the 4K/DV/DA model I personal by way of iTunes and the model on Disney+?
So, I’m utilizing this query to debate the very best film streaming service choice and how streaming versus 4K Blu-ray compares whereas additionally making an attempt to reply the query.
First, I don’t know how you can quantify “dramatic” to you by way of the distinction between a 4K Blu-ray playback and streaming. I can say that I can clearly see the distinction, principally in massive shade areas, the place I’ll see banding on the streaming model and no banding on the disc model. Detail can also be higher on the disc, and there’s much less noise. That’s as a result of the disc has a lot more info. The disc additionally has lossless audio, which many people report gives a clearly audible enchancment over the lossy streaming model of the soundtrack. For me, disc-based playback is certainly superior to streaming in nearly all circumstances.
Now, as a Blu-ray participant, the PS5 is OK. It’s higher than the Xbox Series X. Still, you may need to think about a devoted participant for the very best Blu-ray playback. It’s not essential, however since you clearly care about getting the very best quality, you may need to think about a standalone participant. You don’t should shoot for the moon on a participant. A strong Sony or Panasonic will do high-quality.
As for streaming playback, although. Consider getting Movies Anywhere. This is just not an advert. Movies Anywhere takes all of your digital film purchases, together with from iTunes, and places them in a single place. But the true profit is that Movies Anywhere has been proven to supply the best bitrate in comparison with different streaming companies similar to iTunes, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video. If you’ve got a bandwidth cap, that may very well be a difficulty, so hold that in thoughts. But additionally, discs don’t contact your web, so in case you do have a bandwidth cap, there’s another excuse to get the disc. Also, with the disc, you personal the film for actual. Nobody can take it away from you. I can’t say that in regards to the digital variations, for what that’s value.
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