On this installment of You Requested: Is not any Dolby Imaginative and prescient a no-go? Do you have to strive for Dolby Atmos in case you have funky ceilings? Is OLED the most effective substitute for an getting older plasma? And streaming versus 4K Blu-ray, which is healthier and why.
The Dolby Imaginative and prescient dilemma
ZM Knox asks: I’ve been looking 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 wish to) Sony. However I hesitate to go for a Samsung TV as a result of it lacks Dolby Imaginative and prescient help. It looks like most providers nonetheless solely supply Dolby Imaginative and prescient and never HDR10+ content material. Does it appear cheap to cross Samsung off my listing of choices attributable to their lack of Imaginative and prescient help? Is that this really a difficulty in apply?
Nicely, I’m going to partially reply your query right here as a result of I’ve but to do a real-world Dolby Imaginative and prescient-versus-HDR 10 publish that I can level you to. So, for now, I’ll say this:
First off, I’m as pissed off as lots of you’re that Samsung refuses to do enterprise with Dolby. Samsung could argue that Dolby Imaginative and prescient is pointless and doesn’t present a notable profit. It might argue that HDR 10+ — the usual it helped develop — is simply nearly as good and that it doesn’t wish to go the price of implementing Dolby Imaginative and prescient on to its customers. You is perhaps stunned to be taught that I agree with a minimum of a few of its public-facing rationale. However right here’s my take:
I might not write off a Samsung OLED TV simply because it doesn’t help Dolby Imaginative and prescient. The variety of instances I’ve seen Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material look considerably higher than even simply HDR 10 content material has been minimal. In reality, there have been instances when the Dolby Imaginative and prescient model didn’t look nearly as good as the usual HDR model.
The factor about Dolby Imaginative and prescient is that creators aren’t utilizing it to its full potential. In the event that they have been, then it might be a no brainer — you’d actually be lacking out by not having Dolby Imaginative and prescient. However because it stands, I’m not satisfied that’s at present the case. And it’s actually onerous to say when Dolby Imaginative and prescient will lastly turn into the must-have HDR format as a result of it’s so demonstrably higher.
So, so far as Dolby Imaginative and prescient being a necessity versus a need? I nonetheless assume it’s within the need class. Nonetheless, I can’t facet with the concept that Samsung doesn’t wish to go the price on to its customers. I feel if that have been the precise rationale, it might be extra like Samsung doesn’t wish to take in the price and, due to this fact, make much less cash as a result of I don’t assume Samsung needs to go above market price with its TVs like Sony does. Additionally, each different main model is supporting it — this entire pushback on Dolby Imaginative and prescient has actually sturdy “OLED is inferior” vibes — and we see the place Samsung got here down on that.
There may be a lot extra 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 would like QD-OLED and also you don’t wish 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
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 top of roughly 9.5 ft, and the upper a part of the ceiling reaches as much as nearly 18 ft. As you will have already defined in your different articles, up-firing drivers depend on the reflection of the sound from the ceiling. Having such a sloped ceiling goes to have an effect on these meant reflections. So, I assume that making a Dolby Atmos impact inside this room just isn’t reasonable (sadly, I can not set up any type of reflector or insulator kind of board since my girlfriend didn’t like how they appeared).
Is it attainable 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 to this point. Ought to I simply surrender on that and take into account a extra budget-friendly sound system? Do you will have any recommendation?
It’s 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.
Nonetheless, as I’ve realized from attempting varied Atmos programs in varied rooms with wildly various ceiling circumstances, there may be nearly at all times some profit to the presence of up-firing Atmos audio system. The depth of that distinction varies, however I’ve at all times gotten one thing out of it.
I imagine it’s because these Atmos audio system aren’t simply utilizing reflectivity. There may be some directionality to the up-firing audio system, so you’ll hear them in a single style or one other. Relying on the system, processing could also be used to play with the section of the sign to realize a dome of sound impact. So, whereas it might not sound like you may 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 aircraft goes over you and never simply round you.
I counsel attempting the Sony HT-A9, which does some slightly intelligent processing, and see what you assume. Should you’re not darned impressed, I’d be stunned. The Samsung 990C is an especially spectacular system as properly, and I don’t assume you’ll be upset with that both; I simply assume the A9 is so good at processing that it may assist overcome a number of the traits of your room that will appear not so Atmos-friendly.
One of the best DTS setup
Sasha has a query about DTS and its setup: The setup can be an LG soundbar and PlayStation 5 utilizing the following connection: PS5 to LG C2 through HDMI, then audio from the LG C2 to the soundbar through HDMI eARC. Is that connection technique the best way to go?
No, that’s not how you’ll wish to do it. The issue right here is that the LG C2 and G2 don’t go a DTS sign by means of the TV and out through the HDMI ARC connection. So, you may ship DTS to the TV, however what comes out is not going to be DTS. I’m really undecided what the LG will spit out when it comes to audio in that case. I’d want to check that. It might transcode it to PCM. This wouldn’t be dangerous — however your query is easy methods to get DTS to the soundbar.
So, in that case, you wish to join the PS5 on to the soundbar after which run a sign that passes the video to the LG C2 OLED from the soundbar’s HDMI output. That’s should you needed DTS for a really particular purpose. The factor is, that’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar, and except you will have some very particular DTS:X materials you wish to take heed to, I might assume you’d wish to follow Dolby Atmos. Your PS5 helps Dolby Atmos — whether or not the app you’re utilizing does or doesn’t is one other query. However, frankly, I might simply run your proposed connection and go along with Dolby Atmos and neglect about DTS. However, as I mentioned, in case you have 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 best way to go.
Upgrading from plasma
Gerrit from Germany asks: I at present have an previous Sony 60W605B plasma TV and I lastly wish to improve to 4K, HDMI 2.1, and all the nice issues the final 10 years of TV growth introduced us.
In a number of boards, I learn that the one smart strategy 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 related even be a major and cheap improve not solely from a technical standpoint and likewise from an image high quality standpoint?
I largely watch films and TV exhibits through streaming apps and YouTube and play on my PS5.
I’ll neither agree nor disagree with these discussion board of us as a result of I don’t wish to draw the ire of the discussion board of us. Anybody who has ever drawn the ire of discussion board of us is aware of what I’m speaking about. It ain’t fairly. And it positively ain’t useful.
However I’ll say that I feel I perceive why they’re saying what they’re saying. They’re most likely considering that you just’re used to excellent black ranges and no blooming, and that the one TV tech that may do that’s OLED, so to assist maintain you from being pissed off along with your new TV, they need you to avoid LCD-based expertise. And all that makes a number of sense. I can’t say I disagree with that logic.
Nonetheless, 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. Additionally, a number of the finest LCD-based TVs have native dimming programs so good that they do a wonderful job of approaching OLED black ranges and handle to reduce blooming an ideal 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 determined by how delicate you’re and what strikes you when an image.
I’ll warning that the Hisense U8K in Germany just isn’t essentially the identical because the Hisense U8K we have now and rave about right here within the U.S. So, I’m undecided that mannequin is the one you ought to be . That brings up a wholly completely different dialogue, however I must cease there for now.
4K HDR streaming vs. Blu-Ray
Jherrimiah asks: I’ve an LG G1, ATV4K, PS5, Sonos Arc & Sub. Any present 4K HDR content material I eat is through iTunes film purchases and streaming through ATV, Max, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Prime.
I noticed the 4K Blu-Ray launch from Criterion of Wall-E. If I have been to play that 4K Blu-Ray through 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 through iTunes and the model on Disney+?
So, I’m utilizing this query to debate the most effective film streaming service choice and the way streaming versus 4K Blu-ray compares whereas additionally attempting to reply the query.
First, I don’t know easy methods to quantify “dramatic” to you when it comes to the distinction between a 4K Blu-ray playback and streaming. I can say that I can clearly see the distinction, largely in massive colour areas, the place I’ll see banding on the streaming model and no banding on the disc model. Element can also be higher on the disc, and there’s much less noise. That’s as a result of the disc has a lot extra info. The disc additionally has lossless audio, which many people report provides 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 instances.
Now, as a Blu-ray participant, the PS5 is OK. It’s higher than the Xbox Sequence X. Nonetheless, you would possibly wish to take into account a devoted participant for the most effective Blu-ray playback. It’s not crucial, however since you clearly care about getting the very best quality, you would possibly wish to take into account a standalone participant. You don’t need to shoot for the moon on a participant. A strong Sony or Panasonic will do wonderful.
As for streaming playback, although. Contemplate getting Motion pictures Wherever. This isn’t an advert. Motion pictures Wherever takes all of your digital film purchases, together with from iTunes, and places them in a single place. However the true profit is that Motion pictures Wherever has been proven to supply the very best bitrate in comparison with different streaming providers resembling iTunes, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video. You probably have a bandwidth cap, that could possibly be a difficulty, so maintain that in thoughts. But additionally, discs don’t contact your web, so should you do have a bandwidth cap, there’s another excuse to get the disc. Additionally, with the disc, you personal the film for actual. No person can take it away from you. I can’t say that in regards to the digital variations, for what that’s price.
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