The Alamo: DVD Audio Track

Rating: Null/10 (28 October 2004)

Did anyone notice that IMDb, Amazon, Netflix AND The Alamo's Official site and even the DVD's sub-menu(Set Up) did not list the audio track information correctly. All the above resources state that the sound track is Dolby Digital 5.1.
Wrong ... Duh! This bugger's sound track is DD-EX!! Those of you with Coaxial or Optical player connections to your home theatre 6.1 capable amplifier: take a look at your input display on the amp. That's 6.1 channels entering your amp!
Even though Dolby takes a matrix sampling of the left and right surround channels in order to "emulate" a 6th, rear surround channel's output, it still sounds great ya?
Given the choice, I actually prefer dts-ES 6.1 audio tracks because they provide for a real, discrete 6th channel rather than matrixing. And dts also does not compress its data on the DVD so the sound has better clarity and brilliance. The downside to dts is that it costs the studios more money on top of the the Dolby license fees they have to pay for. And the uncompressed audio takes up more "data_space" on the disk so they have to cut back on special features or produce a multi disk DVD release.
Not to complain though ... The Alamo DVD was produced with real cool sound. To those of you who have nice home theatre setups and live in apartment buildings, I recommend that you turn up the the volume real high in the wee hours this morning. Your neighbors will LOVE hearing all the canons and gunfire ... don't be selfish now ... give them a treat! Wait ... why are the police knocking at my door at THIS hour of the night?