THX Digital Mastering Of Questionable Quality
Dear Gary! I find some of the THX®-certified DVD releases disappointing. I recently bought the Die Hard Trilogy on DVD and the usual “THX mastered for superior sound and picture quality” was printed on the sleeve. We all know that an anamorphically enhanced picture is superior to a non-anamorphic picture so if they want to provide us with a superior picture an anamorphic alternative should always be available. In fact,I think THX should refuse to master a movie if the studio won’t let them include an anamorphic version or write “the superior picture quality does not apply if you view through a widescreen television set” on the sleeve. In my opinion,the picture quality is not much better than on my LaserDisc versions. One could go on and claim that a DTS Digital Surround version should be available to provide superior sound quality. I am aware that some THX-certified DVDs are indeed anamorphically enhanced but still fail to see if they are superior to other non-THX certified DVDs in picture quality. Is the THX-certified Dances With Wolves superior to the non-THX-certified DTS version in picture quality? I’d say the picture quality on both versions are identical but the sound is better on the DTS version making it the superior version, wouldn’t you agree? I also fail to see why they keep sticking with the same old THX trailer on the DVDs when there are so many far more entertaining trailers displayed at the theatres that they could include as a bonus.
Fredrik Olsson, Stockholm,Sweden
fredrik.olsson @stockholm.mail.telia.com
Editor Gary Reber Comments:
Ever since the THX optical discs certification program was launched there have been inconsistencies in the level of quality presentation attained. We have reported on such inconsistencies and poor quality, as well as good quality, first with our extensive history of reviewing Laser Discs, and currently with DVDs. In my experience, you are correct in your assessment, but I don’t think the situation will change, simply because THX is a licensing certification business who needs clients to contract their services. Make the standards too high and no one will buy the service or care enough to credit the “THX Digitally Mastered” seal of approval.
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