Pip-Boy: The differences of the DVD-version (vs. CD-ROM) are listed on this cover shot:
http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/outcast/cover-art/gameCoverId,61382/
That's not entirely accurate. Dolby Digital is used in extras, not in the game (which relied on EAX and A3D). Also the music was redbook (a.k.a. standard CD audio) on the CD ROM version, whereas DVD version used 128 kbit MP3s, which were rather poorly ripper with some extra snap, crackle & pop. Since GOG's version had the same MP3s, it's based on the DVD version.
DVD did, however, include all previous patches. The CD version wouldn't even install without a patch (which featured the installer) if DirectX was newer than 7.0. That caused DX version check to end in a critical error to InstallShield, which resulted to a 'panic uninstall'. One way to avoid it was to shut down the system ASAP when DX version check started. For some games (e.g. East Front II) this was the official workaround. Thankfully only a few games had that bug-ridden version of IntallShield.
Those indeed were the days. :)