DTS HD-MA 2.0 on BD

[nafroe]

Probably a silly question, but it's something I'm curious about.... I've noticed that some of my BD's have 2.0 DTS HD audio tracks.

I've tried doing a bit of searching but couldn't really find anything to satisfy my curiosity.

One such film is Toy Story (which has DTS HD-MA 6.1 and 2.0)... Could it be an original-ish audio track? Mix-down of the 6.1 track?

The Logan (2017) 4K disc also had a DTS HD-MA 2.0 track (DD 2.0 on the BD).
The BD of Baby Driver also has an English Dolby Surround track...
Are the 2.0 tracks for these films likely remixed audio tracks unique to these home video releases? I can't imagine many theaters with anything less than full surround sound these days. Hard for me to think that there are films receiving unique 2.0 mixes any more for theatrical release... but I could be wrong!

[Jetrell Fo]

Probably a silly question, but it's something I'm curious about....  I've noticed that some of my BD's have 2.0 DTS HD audio tracks.  

I've tried doing a bit of searching but couldn't really find anything to satisfy my curiosity.

One such film is Toy Story (which has DTS HD-MA 6.1 and 2.0)...  Could it be an original-ish audio track?  Mix-down of the 6.1 track?

The Logan (2017) 4K disc also had a DTS HD-MA 2.0 track (DD 2.0 on the BD).
The BD of Baby Driver also has an English Dolby Surround track...  
Are the 2.0 tracks for these films likely remixed audio tracks unique to these home video releases?  I can't imagine many theaters with anything less than full surround sound these days.  Hard for me to think that there are films receiving unique 2.0 mixes any more for theatrical release... but I could be wrong!

It could be sourced from a DTS Stereo track.

[Stamper]

I think these are downmixes/new mixes made for people who don't watch the film with a full home-theater set up.

Once you have your 5.1 mix it's custom to create a 2.0 mix on a separate day, for either TV showings, or as an option for people who watch movies with the sound coming out of the TV.

[ilovewaterslides]

The Duel (1971) US Blu-ray features the original mono mix in DTS-HD MA 2.0. Definitely not a downmix. Shame it's not available on the other editions though.

[Jetrell Fo]

So maybe just a stereo mix that can be matrixed by a receiver in to 5.1.

[Doctor M]

The 2.0 track source varies by movie, obviously.

Older films may present original mono or stereo mixes that way.

Newer films, especially Disney, may give you anything from a downmix, occasionally an original theatrical mix or even a 'home theater' mix (which you can translate as a remix by a deaf idiot that doesn't sound like complete crap on the most basic home setup).

It's best to do some research of how the original film release was presented and disc reviews frequently have details of what is an upmix or downmix track.

As ILoveWaterSlides said about The Duel, you can find on Blu-ray.com these details:

Duel was originally released in mono, which is supplied here in lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 with identical left and right front channels. The soundtrack was remixed for 5.1 for the 2003 DVD release, and that mix is also offered as the default audio track in lossless DTS-HD MA.

I'd be skeptical that Logan ever had 2.0 specific mix intended for theaters. I'm more surprised there is a 2.0 mix that isn't a commentary or visually impaired track.

Theatrically I don't think Toy Story ever had less than 4 channel sound, so the 2.0 is most likely a downmix specifically made for the crap TV speakers where the kids are watching.

[KryptonKing]

I'd be skeptical that Logan ever had 2.0 specific mix intended for theaters. I'm more surprised there is a 2.0 mix that isn't a commentary or visualily impaired track.

This is what I was thinking as well. According to the specs on blu-ray.com there is a commentary track on the disc so this is probably what the 2.0 is in this case.

[SpaceBlackKnight]

Some are downmixes from a 5.1 source, but most titles made from the 1920s up to the early 1990s usually feature a 2.0 mono mix if it was mixed that way, or in the case of indies and older films before 1998, use mixes originating from a Dolby Surround or DTS Stereo master mix.

Again, YMMV as some of the stereo tracks are mixes made for DVD releases and could be different than the theatrical master mixes in terms of effects, volume, and different/censored lines etc.