Klipsch 5.1 or VideoLogic DigiTheater DTS

[ASICboy]

Ok guys,

so which is better? Klipsch 5.1 or VideoLogic DigiTheater DTS 5.1 ???? I went online to look for prices, and both are apx $400.

Question about the VideoLogic DigiTheater DTS. Do I need any special hardware to hook it up to my computer? When I read info about it on the videologic webpage it didn't mention anyhting about using it with your PC.

Thanks!

 

[mikef208]

I don't think you need any extra hardware to use the videologics, but I could be wrong. I thought they were selling for closer to 600.00 though, but I guess I haven't checked there price in a while. This is an excellent question, so i will bump it, so maybe someone can help you out.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

If they are both the same price, just buy the videologic digitheater dts.

 

[Sugadaddy]

I'd get the Videologic DTS. The Klipsch may be a little more powerful, but they don't have a decoder.

I know most soundcards have Dolby Digital passthrough, but I'm not sure about DTS. The Gametheater XP is the only one I know for sure that can pass a DTS stream through its digital output. I'd make sure that your sound card or DVD software supports DTS before getting them.

 

[ASICboy]

Does the X-Game Live! 5.1 sound card suppot DTS? That is the card I want to get. Should I get the Platinum 5.1 sound card, or would that be a waste of my money???? As for my DVD drve, I'm thinking of the Creative Labs Ovation 12x.

If you go on the VideoLogic website, you will see that the price has gone down to 400 dollars. Here's the link(click on BUY PRODUCT):

http://www.videologic.com/Products/VL-60421/ProductIntro.asp?Product=VL-60421

 

[Fenix793]

Defintely the Digitheater. However if you're gonna sepend that much money on speakers you may want to consider buying a real receiver and home theater speakers. As for sound and the DVD drive. Don;t get the creative drive its crap. Go for a Pioneer or a Toshiba. No consumer level 'supports' DTS. Some can decode Dolby Digital but none of them can handle DTS. The ones with S-PDIF can however pass the signal thru to an external receiver/decoder. PowerDVD can do this with many boards including the Live! series and I'm guessing the Herc. boards should have no problems either.

 

[Maverick]

newest WinDVD software DVD player supports DTS. I'm not sure how it works though, it might require that you have the speakers hooked up through analog on the sound card.

 

[Noriaki]

Definately the DigiTheatre. But they are a fair bit more expenisve, and they lack 4 or 5.1 discrete channel input...you have your choice of 2 channel or Digital 5.1. Digital 5.1 is what you want for Movies, 2 channel is fine for Music and regular sounds, but Gaming won't be able to use 3D sound without discrete rear inputs.


The SBlive! X-Gamer can output a DTS stream to the speakers just fine, it's the same as outputting a Dolby Digital (AC-3) stream, because the sound card isn't doing any processing. Just reading the sound bits off the DVD and sending them to the speakers.


WinDVD DTS means it can software decode DTS to 5.1 analog for output to speakers without their own decoder. Non-DTS versions can only do with with PowerDVD.

 

[Fenix793]

WinDVD DTS is very expensive and if you're gonna get the Digitheater itd be a waste.

 

[ASICboy]

What I want to use my speakers for is gaming, and for playing my mp3s/cd music. I don't watch DVD movies too often really. So in that case, should I go with the Klipsch 5.1 ???

This is what my configuration is so far:

AMD Thunderbird 1.4Ghz
Gigabyte GA-7DXR motherboard
SuperMicro SC-760A full tower case
512MB Mushkin PC133 SDRAM memory
Gainward GeForce3 PowerPak video card
VideoLogic *OR* Klipsch speakers
2 - Western Digital 40gb hd's
Yamaha 16/10/40 CD-RW
Sound Blaster Live! X-Gamer 5.1
Creative Labs Ovation 12X

 

[Sugadaddy]

<< The SBlive! X-Gamer can output a DTS stream to the speakers just fine, it's the same as outputting a Dolby Digital (AC-3) stream, because the sound card isn't doing any processing. Just reading the sound bits off the DVD and sending them to the speakers. >>



That's what I thought, I wasn't sure though because it seems only Hercules advertises it. (I guess it really depends on the software you're using...)




<< What I want to use my speakers for is gaming, and for playing my mp3s/cd music. I don't watch DVD movies too often really. So in that case, should I go with the Klipsch 5.1 ??? >>


Then you should probably save some money and go for the Klipsch 4.1, since the center channel is only used for DVDs.


BTW, does anybody know if WinDVD DTS can emulate DTS on 4.1 speakers, like it does with Dolby Digital? I think I'll try it out, looks cool...

 

[Noriaki]

Yeah if you aren't wanting to watch movies don't waste money on 5.1
Go with a good 4.1 set. The middle speaker isn't very useful in games, it costs a bunch extra and it's kinda hard to find a place to put the Center