Dval's stats
- Review count272
- Helpfulness votes432
- First reviewDecember 3, 2011
- Last reviewSeptember 24, 2016
- Featured reviews1
- Average rating4.5
- Review comment count7
- Helpfulness votes8
- First review commentMarch 9, 2012
- Last review commentMarch 17, 2015
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
Answers
- Answer count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerNone
- Last answerNone
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
This hard hitting release from the science fiction anime series .hack//Quantum includes episodes 1-3 of the OVA, following the story of three warriors whose adventure in The World becomes a life or death fight when they become lost in a virtual labyrinth, and have a strange meeting with an entity known only as Hermit.
Customer Rating
5
New blood for an old story
on November 27, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Just picked this one up last week after waiting for a long time. Been a huge .hack// fan since the olden days of Cartoon Network's run of the series on Saturday nights nearly 10 years ago. Definitely wasn't disappointed with this OVA series.
"The World" is just as beautiful, of not more, than in the beginning. Large cities, expansive plains, floating islands, and mysterious dungeons abound. And of course, the danger is still everywhere. Three new characters make up the main cast in this series and, surprisingly, they're all female. Seems to be more and more common for the main leads to all be female. One is a little absent-minded, another is smart and a computer wiz, and the last is level headed and keeps the others tied to reality.
Things begin to go awry when the trio goes treasure hunting and accidentally wipes out a guild during a boss fight. Things escalate quickly into events that could have lasting consequences in this world as well as in the real world. Old events come back to light as players begin to fall into comas once again.
Graphics are amazing in Blu-ray on this one. The smallest details are very well drawn and capture your attention. There are very few scenes used more than once even as backgrounds which just reinforces the time and effort spent here. The new production staff did an excellent job.
Enjoyed the English dubs as well. Actually liked them better than some of the original voices which is a huge rarity. Noticed several similar voices as it is a Funimation title and the staffing is called upon for many different titles.
The music was pretty good. Would say it was great, but it's hard to beat Yuki Kajiura's soundtracks from the original .hack//sign as well as Liminality.
Lots of extras here as well. No episode commentaries, but there are a few small bits about Quantum theory #which is actually quite interesting# as well as three cooking episodes. Very good to watch if you've ever wanted to make a bento/lunch box. And you've got the standard trailers and previews.
Enjoyed the English dubs as well. Actually liked them better than some of the original voices which is a huge rarity. Noticed several similar voices as it is a Funimation title and the staffing is called upon for many different titles.
The music was pretty good. Would say it was great, but it's hard to beat Yuki Kajiura's soundtracks from the original .hack//sign as well as Liminality.
Lots of extras here as well. No episode commentaries, but there are a few small bits about Quantum theory #which is actually quite interesting# as well as three cooking episodes. Very good to watch if you've ever wanted to make a bento/lunch box. And you've got the standard trailers and previews.
What's not so great: Want more
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
This release from the anime OVA series Hellsing Ultimate includes episodes 5-8 of the series, telling the story of Integra Hellsing, who inherited the top position at the Hellsing Organization following her father's death, unlocking a chain of events that awakens the dormant Alucard.
Customer Rating
5
The bloodfest continues
on November 24, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Short and sweet version here: This series is awesome. Maybe not so much for the youngsters, but it's part of a select few series that can have you ROFLing and cringing at the same time. Over the top violence + off the wall comedy. Loved every second of it.
Also, forgot to put this in the review for the first part, but the Warsong Philharmonic Orchestra's ending themes were amazing. Wish they had continued that to this volume.
Volumes V-VIII continues where it last left off. The Last Batallion is about ot descend on London and unleash all hell. What should be a "good vs. evil" fight becomes a 3-way battle royale between the Hellsing organization, the Vatican's forces, and Millenium. No one is spared in this series as man, woman, and child are massacred.
The battle at the Hellsing manor, along with every other, is awesome. A woman with guns is always nice, but seeing Seras with two giant gatling guns complete with a backpack ammo pack triple her size was any man's dream come true. Watched this on a new Boston Acoustics sound system and the action was mind-numblingly intense. Musical scores along with every shot and explosion shaking the room was truely an experience.
This isn't the last of the volumes as this one ends with Alucard on the defensive side for once. So did not want it to end as I'm now suffering form withdrawals awaiting volums IX-XII.
Bookoo amounts of extras to go along with this one again. Episode Commentary, Dubbing Hellsing - The 10th year Anniversary Interviews, round table interviews with English cast, Anime Vegas 2010 Hellsing Panel, FAQs from fans, The Dawn: A Supplementary of Hellsing which is a prequel, Textless closings, U.S. Trailers, and other trailers. Sadly, no karaoke for the major in this one.
What's great about it: Everything
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+9points
9of 9voted this as helpful.
This release from the anime OVA series Hellsing Ultimate includes all four episodes of the series, opening with a flashback to ten years earlier, when Integra Hellsing had first inherited the top position at the Hellsing Organization following her father's death. Her jealous uncle Richard turns deadly violent at this revelation, but in so doing, awakens the dormant Alucard. In present day, Alucard is the head of his own small chapter of Hellsing, in a small town being ravaged by a vampire priest, but when a D11 operator named Seras Victoria is mortally injured in the process, Alucard finds himself with a new immortal servant.
Customer Rating
5
Ultimate vampire story
on November 10, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Action, Gore, Comedy
Ultimate is my first introduction to the series and after reading a couple reviews I hurred and snatched the last copy from a close Best Buy. If you faint easily at the sight of blood or can't stand cursing, this isn't the series for you. That being said, this series is good enough that I immediately pre-ordered the 2nd set after finishing this one.
Hellsing Ultimate is about the Hellsing family, the N.A.Z.I.S. (banned word for some reason#, and the Vatican's forces. Essentially, the Hellsing family of England employs Alucard, a seemingly invincible vampire, to destroy anything supernatural that pops up in the country. The Vatican reluctantly allows their operations while they have their own special forces to deal with threats that may arise. The last batallion from WWII is resurfacing after creating its own vampire army with the goal of starting the best war of all time.
Not having seen the original or read the manga, it's hard to compare Hellsing Ultimate to its predecessors. The bad guys in here are just as fun, if not more so, than the good guys. The Valentine Brothers and the Major are pure awesome. The Major gives a speech which actually has a karaoke version of it in the extras if you want to preach along with him about why he loves war.
Voice-acting is superb in this one. All of the original cast was apparently reunited to do this again. Crispin Freeman and Ralph Lister #Alucard and Walter the butler) get the most attention, but everyone performs superbly. Never even thought about turning on the original with subs.
A butt-load of extras in here, too. About 2 hours worth. You've got commentaries for every episode, a Hellsing Ultimate panel from AX in '07, original promos, trailers, TV ads, and the Major's karaoke. Hard to find something with lots of extras in anime.
Buy it, you won't regret it.
What's great about it: Everything
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
Hellsing Ultimate, Volumes V-VIII [5 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD]
(2)Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
![The Manticore and Other Horrors [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6814/6814403_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Great heavy metal
on November 3, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Never would have known about this album releasing except for Best Buy posting it on Facebook. Thanks BB. That out of the way, I wasn't sure what to expect from Cradle of Flith as it's been about 7 years since I last bought one of their CDs.
This CD is actually pretty good. Solid heavy metal from beginning to end. Lots of electric guitars along with a mix of symphonic instruments as well help to bring out a really enjoyable sound. There isn't a big difference between any of the songs as they pretty much all have the same sound. Nothing as catchy as "Nymphetamine" and nothing as crude as "Gilded C**t".
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
3of 3voted this as helpful.
![The House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 1 [CD] [PA]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6777/6777105_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Great album that doesn't sellout to mainstream
on October 24, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
After hearing the releases of other bands over the past few years, it was very nice to listen to this CD and get the "This is what I expected/wanted!" feeling from it. Have to say that it felt a bit more like Slipknot than old Stone Sour, but I definitely don't have a problem with that.
"Gone Sovereign" and "RU486" are my favorite songs from the album. Good hard tone that can get the crowd riled.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
3of 5voted this as helpful.
Customer Rating
5
Unique telling of Snow White
on October 24, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Drama.
Will start off by saying that I purchased this about 2 weeks before I finally watched it tonight. After reading a review on the animenewsnetwork, I was a little worried and tempted to return it, but I'm gad that I gave it a shot and watched it.
King of Thorn is an adaptation of a 6 volume manga series. Fitting that much into a sub-2 hour movie just can't happen without some major structural changes to the plot. Haven't read the manga, either, so I won't say how good/bad it compares.
The premise of King of Thorn is that in the near future, a virus called the Medousa virus has begun to run rampant across the globe. Over 10 million dead and counting. As you might guess from the virus' name, the Medousa virus eventually fossilizes its victims, turning them into stone. A pharmaceutical company has volunteered to take in 160 people that are contaminated with the virus to cryogenically freeze them for up to 100 years or until a cure is found. After being put into a deep sleep, something goes horribly wrong in the labs and everyone awakes to a room filled with monstrously large thorny vines and unknown creatures that immediately start on a feeding frenzy.
At first I was fighting against the plot after having read the negatives in a review, but as the film went on, I was more and more enthralled. There are several twists that hit you like a sucker punch, but they just keep pulling you more and more into the story. It starts out a little slow for the first 10-15 minutes, but after that it takes off and doesn't stop.
The graphics are top-notch and seem very reminiscent of Dead Space. There is a good deal of blood and gore. With the first victim getting her face bitten off and others having their heads ripped off, this definitely isn't a kids movie. Loved the ending theme by "Misia" as well.
Some of the British accents in the English dub could have been a little better, but I didn't mind them at all. Probably wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't been listening for them.
There's also quite a bit of extras attached here. Got your standard previews which are all for new releases, movie promos and trailers, and a director's interview. I really enjoyed the producer and director taking questions after a screening of the movie. Really delves into some of the deeper meanings of the movie.
The graphics are top-notch and seem very reminiscent of Dead Space. There is a good deal of blood and gore. With the first victim getting her face bitten off and others having their heads ripped off, this definitely isn't a kids movie. Loved the ending theme by "Misia" as well.
Some of the British accents in the English dub could have been a little better, but I didn't mind them at all. Probably wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't been listening for them.
There's also quite a bit of extras attached here. Got your standard previews which are all for new releases, movie promos and trailers, and a director's interview. I really enjoyed the producer and director taking questions after a screening of the movie. Really delves into some of the deeper meanings of the movie.
All in all, the movie was exceptional. Definitely will watch it again in the future to see what I might have missed the first time or after reading the manga.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Customer Rating
4
Very different
on October 17, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Persona 4 is a bit different from what I usually watch with anime. One of those "I've seen the name around and don't know anything about it, but it's here and I'll buy it!" titles. Impulse buy.
The main character, Yu, has moved from Tokyo to a small town to live with his uncle and niece. A series of bizarre murders leads Yu to making new friends and discovering the "TV world". Inside the TV world, characters discover their Persona, or secret personality. One must come to terms with their hidden desires/thoughts in order to conquer their persona.
The beginning of each episode was a little odd being greeted in the "Velvet Room" by two people that you never get any information on. Going to assume that they've had an intro in a different Persona series/game and I'm just out of the loop. Episodes flowed very well and had a good mixture of action, comedy, and suspense to keep me interested. Not the best series ever created, but I definitely enjoyed it. Opening and closing themes are sung in English, too. Hip-hop beat that is a little catchy.
The English dub was actually pretty solid. No problems at all listening to them. The Blu-ray version shines in a many spots, but early on I wasn't sure if it was actually in HD. Might have just been how it was intended but the quality was pretty good.
Went ahead and purchased the Persona 4 Arena game to go along with it but still haven't played it at all. Can't wait to catch the second season whenever it's released.
What's not so great: Not carried in all stores
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
![Hide and Seek [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2066/20661297_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Throwback album
on October 12, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Album came out back on Tuesday and it arrived on Wednesday. Love the quick shipping here.
Hide and Seek isn't quite the same as previous albums from The Birthday Massacre. Couple of the songs have a little bit darker feeling to them, but the overall sounds took me back to music from the 80's and early 90's. Really loving it.
Wouldn't really say that there's any songs that just jump out at you, but it actually works out good for this CD. Really enjoying every single song so I can just keep the entire thing going on repeat. Would be nice to have a killer hit like "Blue" or "Red Stars" thrown in, but the whole thing more than makes up for it.
There's also a Vinyl version available as well, but you'll have to order that through other means if you want it. Definitely recommend this one to any fans.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
![Transit of Venus [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6667/6667179_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
Mediocre album
on October 2, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
My tastes don't always sync with others so take this with a grain of salt. I love Three Days Grace and was more than happy to buy anything they put out just like with Linkin Park. Hadn't really heard much from this album on the radio and I can understand why.
All of the tracks on here sound good I don't mind listening to them again, but nothing really *pops* out. Always expecting at least one *one-hit wonder* from every album...but I couldn't find it. The music feels a bit more generalized and there wasn't much with a harder edge. Life Starts Now was pretty awesome, One-X rocked beyond belief, and the self-titled album was glorious, too. Just have to say that this one is alright.
I would still recommend it to anyone that enjoys Three Days Grace, though. It's good music, but I just couldn't find any songs that drive me to put it on repeat.
What's great about it: Smooth listening
What's not so great: No Monster hits
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+3points
7of 11voted this as helpful.
![200 Km/H in the Wrong Lane [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4966/4966825_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Technorock album
on October 2, 2012
Posted by: Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Ten year old album and I get to call "First!" I'll admit that I bought this album purely for "All the Things She Said", but the other tracks are all really good, too. "Not Gonna Get Us", "Clowns", and all the few tracks that are done in Russian #or a very similar language# are great.
Great thing is that I ordered and received this in 4 days with standard shipping. No need to pay for express since I wasn't in dire need. If you enjoy t.A.T.u., should consider picking up CDs by The Birthday Massacre. Bit heavier rock, but similar vocals and great music.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Dval's Review Comments
Eliminate your unwieldy collection of remotes and start using one device. A Geek Squad Agent will program your new learning remote control (such as a Logitech Harmony remote) for easy operation of your TV and home theater components. Perform commands like Watch a DVD or Listen to Music with the push of a single button.* This service takes about an hour to complete. After completing your order, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that contains a redemption code. You can then schedule your appointment by calling 1-800-GEEK SQUAD (1-800-433-5778) and following the prompts for Home Theater and Installation.** Please print your Geek Squad confirmation e-mail and be ready when the Agent arrives at your chosen location.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5its work for reciver by wifi bettween 2flooer
By saadcitystar
from nashville
its work for reciver by wifi bettween 2 flooer my reciver in 2 flooer and my tv is doween stires,so its work doween stirs in tv samsung by wifi
Dval
Clarksville, TN
Interpreting
March 9, 2012
I try not to be a grammar-junkie, but I think "saadcitystar" is trying to say that he/she's happy with their remote programming. It sounds like he/she purchased a Harmony remote with RF (radio frequency) instead of IR (infrared) that is capable of sending signals over about a 50' range and can even go through walls, cabinets, etc...
If purchasing a remote programming by itself, the service is $99.99, but if you're having other services done as well (audio setup, wall-mounting, calibration, or networking), the service actually drops down to $59.99.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Throwback album
By Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Album came out back on Tuesday and it arrived on Wednesday. Love the quick shipping here.
Hide and Seek isn't quite the same as previous albums from The Birthday Massacre. Couple of the songs have a little bit darker feeling to them, but the overall sounds took me back to music from the 80's and early 90's. Really loving it.
Wouldn't really say that there's any songs that just jump out at you, but it actually works out good for this CD. Really enjoying every single song so I can just keep the entire thing going on repeat. Would be nice to have a killer hit like "Blue" or "Red Stars" thrown in, but the whole thing more than makes up for it.
There's also a Vinyl version available as well, but you'll have to order that through other means if you want it. Definitely recommend this one to any fans.
Dval
Clarksville, TN
Update
December 4, 2012
Have to update this as I've had this CD going for the past month in my car. Truely great CD. Very little pops out because all of the songs are so good. Should have given this one 5 stars.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
This release from the chilling anime series Gunslinger Girl includes all 13 episodes of the show's first season, following the girls of the Social Welfare Agency, who appear from the outside to be orphaned schoolgirls, but are actually trained to be cold blooded killers. Extras with the release include voice director commentary, textless songs, and more.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Killer girls from...
By Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Action
"Officially, the social Welfare Agency is a government sponsored corporation that's in the business of saving lives. At least, that's the ruse. In reality, it's an agency on the fringe of technology. They give terminal patients another shot at life using cybernetic implants. This conditioning process then shapes the patient into an effiecient machine for handling all of the goverment's dirty work. They've been given a second change at life, but at what cost?"
Basic plot: Little girls that were about to die have been given a second shot at life, but in return they're basically assassins for the government. The first season here doesn't really do much more than give us a character intro for 6 different girls. The story takes place in Italy which is a huge change of pace for most anime. Plot only got an average score because of the lack of one thus far.
Cinematography: The graphics are very visually appealing. Seeing everything out in the Mediteranean is a good change from the streets of Japan. The character designs themselves aren't very well done, though. They're really kind of normal. However, there's a ton of detail put into the outfits, guns, and scenery. Found it kind of odd, but the Blu-ray version is definitely nice and crisp. No jagged edges around the faces like on DVD versions.
Acting: Loved the English voice-acting and didn't touch the original Japanese. Kind of want to just to hear they're versions of each girl.
Extras: Non-existent. Not a single trailer, commentary, or even a textless opening or ending. Bare bones.
As the first reviewer posted, the story is a little disturbing. If you can get around little girls being used as military dolls, then the action is quite nice and I really enjoyed it. Just not the best series out there. Should definitely pick it up if you like anime, though.
Dval
Clarksville, TN
Part 2
January 3, 2013
Completely forgot about the extras on disc 2. There are actually quite a few. The voice-actor commentaries about their own characters are really enjoyable. Would bump the Extras up to 4 stars, but it wouldn't change the overall rating.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5meh...
By lobb152
I just didnt like this movie as much as the other two.
Dval
Clarksville, TN
February 13, 2013
Any particular reasons why? Story, cast, etc...?
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
This mind-bending release from the psych-horror anime series Deadman Wonderland includes all 12 episodes of the show, following the story of a high school boy who is unjustly jailed for the murder of his class in a prison system that fits him with a collar constantly injecting him with poison. The poison can be neutralized if he can take regular doses of the antidote often enough, though these can only be obtained through prison work.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Supernatural prison
By Dval
from Clarksville, TN
Genre: Supernatural, Action, Drama
Length: 12 episodes + OVA
Length: 12 episodes + OVA
"Ganta is the only survivor after a mysterious man in red slaughters a classroom full of teenagers. He's framed for the carnage, sentenced to die, and locked away in the most twisted prison ever built: Deadman Wonderland. And then it gets worse.
At Deadman Wonderland, convicts are forced into brutal deathmatches for the amusement of the masses, the cheers of the crowd drowning out the screams of the dismembered. Even when Ganta befriends Shiro, an unusual female inmate, his dark fate crushes all hope – until he discovers the strange ability to wield his spilled blood as a weapon. Ganta learns his new skill might be related to the murderous man in red and uncovers disturbing secrets that could expose those who stole his freedom. He's determined to see justice served – but first he'll have to fight for his life in a prison that holds a million ways to die."
Deadman Wonderland is a decent series that gained attention in America after Cartoon Network aired it on the Toonami animation block when it was reincarnated back in 2012. I caught the first 2 episodes, but never got around to watching the rest. The series is filled to the brim with blood, gore, and action. The English dialogue is pretty racy as well. It does an excellent job with the shock factor. You just know someone is about to die, but it can be a little hard to predict how it's going to happen. Sadly, the series is quite rushed and a ton of knowledge is never made known. There also isn't really a true ending. Red Man remains a mystery, sort of. What relation does Shiro and Ganta have? Don't want to spoil any of the ending, but it pops up just as many questions and doesn't really answer anything. It leave tons of room for a 2nd season, but I haven't seen anything in the works, yet.
I enjoyed the series overall even with the rushed ending and lingering questions. My brother was also a fan and admitted that he was a little confused with the entire thing. This is a great value on a pretty good series. Pick it up!
Dval
Clarksville, TN
Reply
August 7, 2014
That's correct. First two black discs are the DVD version while the last 2 light blue discs contain the BD versions.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Keep your air clean and healthy with this Therapure 90TP50RM01 mini air purifier that is designed for areas up to 5 sq. ft. Stainless-steel collection blades allow easy cleaning and ultraviolet light destroys airborne viruses.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Not what I was looking for, much better
By kakky
from Houston
Came in looking for a new portable radio. Salesman guided me to a blue-tooth speaker to connect to my phone instead. Can also use this with my MP3. Works much better than the radio would have and great sound. Helpful salesman did a bit of technology training to help me get it set up.
Dval
Clarksville, TN
Wrong item?
August 18, 2014
Hey there. I think you may have gotten the wrong item for your review. Sounds like you purchased a bluetooth speaker instead of an air purifier.
+5points
5of 5voted this comment as helpful.
This set serves up every episode of the anime series Coppelion.
Overall3 out of 5
3 out of 5Great anime!
By ACEACE
from CORONA
Picture and cgi excellent. Story excellent. But I gave it 3 stars because the sound is pcm only. That means stereo not 5.1 dolby digital much less DTS. Why they don't spend the money on the sound affect on Bluray is completely troubling.
Dval
Clarksville, TN
sound in anime
March 17, 2015
It'd be great to have more titles with full 5.1 or 7.1 dolby digital sound, but it's pretty rare outside of the big movies. Really long answer so I'll just paste the response from the animenewsnetwork for you.
Audio is important, and many fans are becoming more and more concerned with making sure that they're getting the best quality audio possible when they fork over the money for a shiny disc of their favorite show. But with so many different formats, which one is best? Which ones should you be asking for? Sometimes the difference is negligible or non-existant, other times it makes a huge difference.
Let's start with the easy one: why some shows have 5.1 mixes for the dub, but not for the original Japanese. I've answered previously on this column that most TV anime doesn't bother with anything more than a stereo (2.0) mix because the Japanese broadcast standard doesn't really support 5.1 audio, and given how big home theater systems aren't as common in Japan for a number of reasons, they generally don't bother remixing for 5.1 when it comes time to release the discs on home video. However, when making the dub, an American publisher might think 5.1 is worth the extra work. If they're already set up to do 5.1, the audio has to be remixed anyway, so it is an opportunity to have a nice added feature for dub fans.
5.1 mixes require special equipment, take a lot more time, and are harder to check for errors (and requires a lot more office space to do so), so it's often not practical to do 5.1 mixes for everything. They can also cost more money. The decision to make a 5.1 mix is made on a show-by-show basis, based on whether the Japanese is 5.1 (usually just movies and some high-end OAVs) and how much the show is predicted to sell.
As for what format in which they're stored on a disc, these days you generally see 4 different kinds of audio tracks:
• Linear PCM (Completely uncompressed, basically just a WAV file. Takes up a lot of space, especially in 5.1.)
• Dolby Digital (AC3) (Lower quality, like an MP3, but takes up a lot less space. Supported by DVD and Blu-ray.)
• Dolby TrueHD (Blu-ray only. The full quality of the WAV file, but compressed to a more manageable size. Still much bigger than AC3, however.)
• DTS Master Audio (Blu-ray only. For the end user, pretty much identical to Dolby TrueHD.)
• Linear PCM (Completely uncompressed, basically just a WAV file. Takes up a lot of space, especially in 5.1.)
• Dolby Digital (AC3) (Lower quality, like an MP3, but takes up a lot less space. Supported by DVD and Blu-ray.)
• Dolby TrueHD (Blu-ray only. The full quality of the WAV file, but compressed to a more manageable size. Still much bigger than AC3, however.)
• DTS Master Audio (Blu-ray only. For the end user, pretty much identical to Dolby TrueHD.)
When you make a DVD or Blu-ray, you are tasked with squeezing a lot of data onto a finite amount of space, so compression can be very important. Wasting too much bandwidth on audio means you might have to sacrifice video quality. The above compression formats are essential ways to get the most quality out of an audio track without having an unwieldy amount of data to contend with.
Audio quality obsessives swear that Dolby Digital AC3 audio has a lot of distortion and they can DEFINITELY tell a difference. I am skeptical. I've definitely heard bad AC3 encodes that definitely affected audio quality, particularly in very early DVDs, but there has never been a double-blind study that shows even audio experts can tell a difference at higher bitrates (and quite a few proving that nobody can tell at all). At any event, the presence of "lossless" audio (in either LPCM, DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD) has become an important marketing bullet point for Blu-ray discs, so whether people can REALLY tell the difference or it's all a placebo effect, who am I to argue.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Dval's Questions
Dval has not submitted any questions.
Dval's Answers
Dval has not submitted any answers.