Video Asylum

• Re: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines Shinto 16:46:04 02/20/01 (0)
  In Reply to: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines posted by fullspectrum on February 11, 2001 at 21:52:37:

  I have a THX-Select rated Onkyo 777 Receiver. I really don't notice any difference whatsoever when listening to DD (AC-3) or DTS movies and switching the THX on and off.

  BIG difference however when listening to VHS movies, television, or DVDs of older movies with 2-channel surround in ProLogic. The decorrelation is a huge plus. Almost like an artificial 5.1.

  Timbre matching is very subtle - hardly noticeable. RE-EQ depends on how bright your system is whether or not you will benefit. Bass management is nice if you play things loud -- it allows you to set the maximum volume of sub 80-Hz signal to keep your speakers from distorting.

  If all you watch or care about is DVD AC-3 / DTS sound with 5.1 or better encoding, then don't worry about it. If you still have a bunch of movies on VHS, old movies on DVD, or watch TV with your system, you will benefit.

  My receiver allows THX to be on with RE-EQ switched out, which works out well for me. (My Transparent cables took most of the brightness out of my system, so this seems to compensate).

  Just my 2 cents...
  
  

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• Don't quote me on this but this is how I understand it vwalt 22:59:04 02/14/01 (2)
  In Reply to: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines posted by fullspectrum on February 11, 2001 at 21:52:37:

  Just as Dave Price said. THX is a certification given out by George Lucas and his band of merry men at Skywalker Ranch. I think it has nothing to do with the auctual decoding. Either the Amp/reciever is DTS, Dolby digital, or Pro-logic (all 5.1 systems). However I think there are now some 7.1 systems hitting the market. Any way the company that makes the equiptment calls old George up and says "why don't you come down here, see how we make our equ, listen to it, and if it meets your stringent requirements, let us print THX on the outside of it." Or words to that affect. If it meets th requirements it gets the stamp. Like I said I could be totally off base, but that is how I understand it.
  
  

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  • THX is bought Dan G. 14:34:52 02/16/01 (0)
    In Reply to: Don't quote me on this but this is how I understand it posted by vwalt on February 14, 2001 at 22:59:04:

    Remember papal indulgences from the Church in the middle ages?
    That's what THX is. Pay Skywalker some big $$$, then you can put the letters on your equipt. and charge lots more.
    Theoretically it has to do with some quality issues (perhaps being capable of certain output levels).
    In my experience I have found many THX products to not work for me, because the THX stanbdard does not look to send signals below 80Hz to any speaker other than subwoofer. So THX EQ's did not include adjustments for lower bands I wanted.

    I wonder if the amps, etc. are only rigidly tested from 80Hz up for their THX certification.

    DG
    
    

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  • Re: Don't quote me on this but this is how I understand it fullspectrum 01:20:01 02/15/01 (0)
    In Reply to: Don't quote me on this but this is how I understand it posted by vwalt on February 14, 2001 at 22:59:04:

    thanks for the post. dolby pro-logic isn't 5.1 per say. it's more like 4.1 because of the mono rear channel. what i'm wondering is how thx is, if at all, preferred over dolby digital. it's not the same. thx decoorelates the surround and i'm wondering how accurate it is?
    
    

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• Re: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines dave Price 22:13:19 02/11/01 (1)
  In Reply to: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines posted by fullspectrum on February 11, 2001 at 21:52:37:

  THX does three primary functions:
  1) Re-Equalization - Adjusts the highs from a movies theater down to a living room setting.
  2)Timbre Matching - makes sure that the sound from the rears have the same timbre as the sound from the front
  3)Decorelation(sp) - attempts to seperate the signal going to the rears..this feature is more beneficial with Pro-Logic because the same signal is being sent to the rear channel

  THX Ultra is for rooms 3000 cubic feet and larger and THX Select is for rooms 2000 cubic feet and smaller.

  THX is not a decoder, it's a certification. Audio companies have to pass rigorous(sp?) testing to become certified. I believe it cost in the neighborhood of $50,000 just to have them come out and do the testing. Hope this helps...

  dave
  
  

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  • Re: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines fullspectrum 14:21:50 02/13/01 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: THX, THX Ultra, and AC-3 Dolby Machines posted by dave Price on February 11, 2001 at 22:13:19:

    Thanks for the information. I'm still a bit confused. THX seems to be prefered but how does it work with dolby digital? It something is d. digital it already has 5.1 channels so how then would a THX machine interpret this? It seems THX wouldn't be as accurate if it's somehow changing the rears from mono? How does it determine the change from mono to two separate channels? Is it influenced by the stereo separation of the fronts? How is THX for music? thanks again!
    
    

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