I should hope that for most of us, halfbit DTS doesn't matter.
I was a big supporter of DTS, and blindly supported all DTS, even halfbit...until I was involved in a blind test using the new SB of the Fifth Element. I actually picked the DD soundtrack 4 out of 5 times, AND almost pick it 5 out of 5!
I have all the old full bitrate DTS DVD's and these are worth having, they do sound better.
The three problems I heard with half bit DTS:
First the highs are rolled off slightly, for some (like me) who originally built his system to be accurate, this is not needed, for someone with a bright sounded system, maybe so.
Second the ambient cues are not as strong.
Lastly, and most important, there is better seperation between items in the sound field.
I now see discs that put both, half bit DTS and DD on the same disc for what they are...a marketing ploy.
That space could be used for even higher video quality...or give me a full bitrate DTS soundtrack...I will buy that.
The systems used to test were of higher quality than most...one used B&K's top reciever, and B&W speakers (802's I think)
My system uses Sumo & Carver power amps, Acurus pre/pro, and Legacy Focus speakers...so these are system that will resolve the differences.