Creative Decoder DDTS-100
I got this decoder from Creative, around 3 months back. The only reason why I wanted to buy this decoder was to simply connect my TV, my Playstation 2 and my PC to my Speaker System (Creative T-6060). Ever since then, I feel really cool about this decoder :-)
I'll just list down the many things that I find impressive about this device...
For those, who are electronic & gizmo freaks, this device is a real nice addition to that list! It looks very nice. Its got a nice grey front display with well laid buttons for selection of Mode, Surround activation and stuff. It also displays the currently selected mode by lighting up the LED next to the mode it is currently active in. This decoder supports DTS, Dolby Digital, NEO:6 formats. And trust me, the logos of all these look really awesome on decoder, giving this device a nice look. If you install this, and for people who understand what a decoder is, and what Dolby Digital and DTS are, they'll surely envy you for owning this device!
I got this decoder from Creative, around 3 months back. The only reason why I wanted to buy this decoder was to simply connect my TV, my Playstation 2 and my PC to my Speaker System (Creative T-6060). Ever since then, I feel really cool about this decoder :-)
I'll just list down the many things that I find impressive about this device...
For those, who are electronic & gizmo freaks, this device is a real nice addition to that list! It looks very nice. Its got a nice grey front display with well laid buttons for selection of Mode, Surround activation and stuff. It also displays the currently selected mode by lighting up the LED next to the mode it is currently active in. This decoder supports DTS, Dolby Digital, NEO:6 formats. And trust me, the logos of all these look really awesome on decoder, giving this device a nice look. If you install this, and for people who understand what a decoder is, and what Dolby Digital and DTS are, they'll surely envy you for owning this device!
To connect your external device is very simple. Interestingly enough, the decoder comes with an optical wire, which helps you connect your PS2 in optical mode to the Decoder. Hell yeah! No more analogue signals for that sound you guys! And once you are connected via the Optical mode, the device does a little smart stuff for you! Like what? Well, these is this 'Dynamic Mode' which works only when you connect any device with Optical wire. Whats so special about 'Dynamic Mode'?
Well, say you got NFS Carbon for your PS2. Most EA games are Dolby supported / THX Supported. Now a days the games we get support Dolby surround. This makes it sound awesome... Since you are optically connected to the Decoder the device understands what mode the DVD is encoded in and dynamically selects the mode for you :-) e.g. in this case, assume your currently selected mode is 'Movie', you start the PS2, hit Dynamic mode on your DDTS, the moment the decoder gets Dolby signals from your PS2, the mode will automatically change to 'Dolby Surround' on your DDTS device :-). You need not bother what kind of signals are passed to the device!
Same goes with DVD's... I put a DTS supported DVD and the mode will change automatically!
The only thing which really annoyed me about this product was the way you choose between the devices you select. There is this silly and ugly looking switch Creative has provided, which toggles between PC / External Device. i.e. you have to toggle the switch to select the source of audio. Also, your PC does not use the decoder at all. When on PC modes, your signals are literally sent from your PC to the speakers. The decoder here is playing no role. You can safely turn it off :-)
So for someone, who is either wanting a nice, affordable and intelligent Home Theater System, I believe, purchasing a simple DVD player, good set of speakers and this decoder (which is available for around INR 7200) should be a great combination! And for people who are crazy about games... and do own a nice gaming console... this is an awesome device you guys! Max Payne, NFS Series, Medal of Honour all sound terrific!
