Dolby Labs 2000 "We've Got the Whole World Listening" DVD is Outstanding!!

Once you put in your DVD, it starts out with, . . . .yes, the Dolby Digital Trailer, "Aurora". Next, the opening sequence starts within an Theater Movie Screen, pans out into the Theater, curtains closing in the background, then parks at the back of the Theater where you see the chairs, phone and control panel. Overall, very nice graphic Theater!  The final screen presents you with 12 buttons (6 on each side) to choose via your navigation arrow buttons on your remote.  After all the animation stops, the classical song "Fandango" (by the Pacific Guitars) plays in the background (in Dolby Digital of course), until you select a button.

(Left Side Buttons) 1) Introduction 2) Dolby Digital Story 3) Aurora Trailer 4) Rain Trailer 5) City Trailer 6) Train Trailer

(Right Side Buttons) 7) Canyon Trailer 8) Egypt Trailer 9) Game Trailer 10) Additional DD-5.1 Music 11) Loop 12) Credits

First, the Highlights (besides the 3 new DD-5.1 trailers for consumer's DVD) is the Additional DD-5.1 music under 10) Additional DD-5.1 Music. The first two:    1) "Even if you Wonder" - Earth, Wind and Fire (partial cut)    2) "Allegro in D Major" - Pacific Guitars (4 classical guitars) both songs contain 3 formats for comparison:    a) Dolby 5.1 Mix    b) Dolby Surround Mix    c) Stereo Mix The third song is Dolby 5.1 Mix only:    3) "San Fernando Valley" - by Flying Without Instruments (9 singers)

Notable presentation: First: "Allegro in D Major" has 1 guitar each for the following speakers: Front L, Front R, Rear L and Rear R. Each channel sounds like my "1976 (Rosewood side & back) Alvarez" hand made Classical Guitar!!  My favorite of the 3 additional DD-5.1 songs.  Listen for the guitar presence & location at each speaker, and how well your speaker's reproduce the guitar strings treble clarity & overall harmonics. Second: "San Fernando Valley" has 1 voice for the Front Left (female), 1 voice Center (male - bass) and 1 voice for Front Right (female). 1 set of 3 backup singers for each of the surround channels, for a total of 9 singers.  This demo puts you in the middle of the group, with the life-like voice inflections revealed (i.e. breathing) as if you're in the studio with them.  They are accomplished singers, considering, their individual voice qualities, group harmony / solo's and the fact they are not accompanied by any external reference instruments.  Another DD-5.1 example worthy for DEMO purposes! Each of the three Additional Songs 5.1 Mix will highlight, and reveal the true DD-5.1 surround experience.  My two favorite songs will help you determine if your voice match speakers are balanced and timbre compatible. (No problem for those with 5 identical speakers)

The "Introduction" (documenting Ray Dolby's 50 years starting as a part-time worker @ Ampex - my father-in-law met him there) is interesting enough for those wondering about Dolby, the man behind this sound format that changed the way we viewed big-screen movie's in the 70's.

Under the "Introduction" button, is the "Dolby Digital Story" (also on AVIA) that, like the "Introduction", can be considered a sales pitch for those wanting to invest in Dolby Labs (which, back in the 70's, . . .wouldn't be a bad investment!), . . .though the historical timeline is very interesting.  It starts out with the "Train" trailer, and ends with the "City" trailer, so make sure you watch this segment @ or near REF Level!!! The synopsis of Dolby Digital is well done, but within the story, you are given a Demo, with talking voices, introduced with 1 speaker at a time, until all 5 speaker's are talking to you.  The next Demo, called "Traffic" is very revealing for your speaker's panning capabilities, Rear L to Front L; Front R to Center to Front L; etc, ending with a landing airline jet.  Both stories include nice 3D graphic images and 3D morphing graphics animation.

Now, . . .of the 3 new DD-5.1 trailers (not included in my Delos DVD Spectacular disk); 1) Aurora 2) Rain 3) Game "Rain" is my favorite, with it's dynamic range and impact.  "Aurora" is subtle but effective, and "Game" is nice, quick and loud!

Finally, if you have the DVD, select the "Credits" button for another Dolby Digital 5.1 Music selection (for your musical DD-5.1 enjoyment!). I highly recommend this DVD as part of your DD-5.1 DEMO must haves.  It demonstrates the qualities of your HT System, with clear, distinct DD-5.1 Channel Separation, . . .while at the same time, giving you the opportunity to show-off your HT Equipment to the up and coming HT fanatics! Time: 25:00 mins - Playing "Loop" (plays entire program, minus the Dolby Surround Mix, Stereo Mix comparison and final music credits screens.) Packaging: Jewel Case (Reviewed by P. Iturralde  2/15/00)

PI - Feb. 15, 2000