|   The Mummy special edition A review | Terrence
Apr 27, 2001 2:25 PM | | The equipment:
Klipch LM-1 16-20khz -3 at 16hz (Left and right mains)
Academy center by Klipsch
4 Klipsch THX approved dipoles
Onkyo TX-DS 777
Circle surround CSX3-JR center rear decoder
3 Alesis M-EQ-230 1/3 octave stereo EQ
Toshiba SD-2109
Ampro 5800 58" widescreen HDTV
L,C,R,-on large
Surrounds-small
No sub
room size 12'x16.5'x9'
acoustical treatment-Owens-Corning acoustic package
I am sure that everyone has seen this movie before. I purchased the first edition when it was released, and I really enjoyed this movie alot, in spite of the critisizm that has been heaped on it from critics. I however, can never look at my old copy again. The special edition is like almost watching a new movie. In the beginning, the pace is much slower(my perception)and less frantic. The quality of the anamorphic transfer is slighty better than the previous release. The color appears richer, with less noise than the previous version. What really shines on this disc is the Dts soundtrack. I have found that since most current Dts releases use the 754kbps data rate, the differences between soundtracks is evident, but much less pronounced. The differences between the two on this one are not subtle. Its not in "blow away" territory, but very noticeable.
The Dts soundtrack is richer, more coherent, more details are fleshed out, with deeper, tighter bass. The bass is not sub killer, and never ventures below 23hz with much volume, but what is there, is tight with loads of detail and texture. The soundfield is HUGE and my speakers disappeared completely and the walls around me were just painted with sonic details. No where on the case does it list this as a EX or ES soundtrack, but it should be. The rear soundfield extended beyond the walls of my room, with loads of detail.
The Dolby Digital soundtrack on this disc sounded excellent, and certainly better than the previous release. It however did not have as wide a soundfield as Dts did, and its signals tended to "pool" around the speakers as opposed to in front, around, and to the rear of the speakers as Dts does. Information that was position between speakers was not a distinct as Dts, but apparent. The bass according to both my dourrough meter, and RTA is the same between both formats, with Dts sounding just a tad more detail.
Both soundtracks sound much more natural, and less forced than the first release.
I guess it is rather obvious that I enjoyed this version better than the previous. For those of you that have already purchased the previous version, toss it, give it away, or turn it into disc decoration. You will love the look and sound of the new much better. For some reason it has a much better feel to it than the older version.
I gave my copy to my son, and ordered the new one with a quickness!!!
Terrence |
| Woe is me | Oscar
May 1, 2001 7:03 PM | | I wish you had not said anything. I found out the special edition existed about 2 weeks AFTER I bought the original. I was happy with the original but as soon as I found out about the DTS version ---ARGGGH |
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