I think the only difference is that in Dimensions, a stun caused by a HCH strike always gave max height to any launcher no matter which one was used and best of all, WITHOUT playing the stun game for 3-4 more hits. Still, Dimensions had a 3-point hold system and people could hold out of everything so it still sucked balls.
I still think reducing the threshold OR making the stun-causing strike to count in the numbers are the correct way to go. If they add more unholdables, safe moves, plus-on-guard moves and make the sidesteps work better we could be in for one of the best fighters out there.
This pisses me off because DOA has the tools to be an incredibly good game but a bunch of minor details end up ruining the thing when compared to Virtua.
EDIT: I can't make anything out of that pic... only Ayane's uglyness.