I'm noticing an increasing number of new PS3 owners asking the same question: "How can I get lossless (PCM, Dolby True HD, DTS MA) from my PS3? I realize that some of you are on a budget and don't want to spend too much on a receiver. Keep this in mind - The only way to get lossless audio from the PS3 is by using HDMI to your receiver.
Essentially, what you need is a receiver that can handle PCM audio through HDMI - PCM is basically the digital master form of the film's audio before it is losslessly "zipped" into Dolby True HD and DTS HD MA. When True HD and DTS MA are decoded ("un-zipped" either by the player or receiver), it becomes PCM again. All three are essentially the same thing in the end. Thus, you need a receiver that will accept a 5.1 (or 7.1 in some cases) PCM stream.
* For all Dolby True HD discs, the PS3 will decode it (5.1 - 7.1) and send it to your receiver as PCM.
* For all DTS Master Audio discs, as of now, no decoder exists, therefore, you can use Optical or HDMI to listen to the core track at still a strong 1.5mbps.
* You can still listen to uncompressed PCM through your optical out if you wish, but it will be a 2.0 stereo signal. If you do not have a receiver and using TV speakers (only if your TV has an optical input), this is as good as it gets. With a receiver, keep in mind that you will still be restricted to 2.0 even if you hear sound coming out of all of your speakers. Your receiver's DSP and surround settings may be matrixing the 2.0 into a 5.1 or 7.1. This is not true 5.1 PCM.
Here are some suggestions that people on this forum have endorsed. Keep in mind that some of these receivers can only accept/output a 1080i signal. So be aware if you have a 1080p display. You can google search these receivers for more information.
$600 and under.
- Onkyo TX- 05 series. Particularly 605 and 705. Both have True HD and DTS MA decoders. Will retail for $499. This is going to be a monster value.
- Yamaha V661 / HTR 6060 (1080p, with HDMI audio processing!)
- Harman Kardon AVR 247 The best pure sound at this price.
- Sony STR-DG1000
- Denon 2307 CI.
- Onkyo SR604
- Onkyo SR674
$600 - $1000
- Panasonic SA-XR700 (The first official Blu-ray compatible receiver)
- Sony STR-DA3200ES
- Yamaha V1700
- Yamaha V2700
- Denon 2807
- Denon 3806
- Pioneer Elite 74txvi
- Pioneer Elite 72txvi
- Pioneer Elite 82txs
- Pioneer Elite 84txs
2007 Models
- Pioneer Elite 91, 92, 94THX (THD + DTSMA)
- Onkyo SR 805 (probably the BEST Value for you dollar under $1000) (THD + DTSMA), a bit more and you can get the more impressive 875.
- Yamaha V881
-Denon 2808 (THD + DTSMA)
-Harman Kardon 347, 745
Essentially, what you need is a receiver that can handle PCM audio through HDMI - PCM is basically the digital master form of the film's audio before it is losslessly "zipped" into Dolby True HD and DTS HD MA. When True HD and DTS MA are decoded ("un-zipped" either by the player or receiver), it becomes PCM again. All three are essentially the same thing in the end. Thus, you need a receiver that will accept a 5.1 (or 7.1 in some cases) PCM stream.
* For all Dolby True HD discs, the PS3 will decode it (5.1 - 7.1) and send it to your receiver as PCM.
* For all DTS Master Audio discs, as of now, no decoder exists, therefore, you can use Optical or HDMI to listen to the core track at still a strong 1.5mbps.
* You can still listen to uncompressed PCM through your optical out if you wish, but it will be a 2.0 stereo signal. If you do not have a receiver and using TV speakers (only if your TV has an optical input), this is as good as it gets. With a receiver, keep in mind that you will still be restricted to 2.0 even if you hear sound coming out of all of your speakers. Your receiver's DSP and surround settings may be matrixing the 2.0 into a 5.1 or 7.1. This is not true 5.1 PCM.
Here are some suggestions that people on this forum have endorsed. Keep in mind that some of these receivers can only accept/output a 1080i signal. So be aware if you have a 1080p display. You can google search these receivers for more information.
$600 and under.
- Onkyo TX- 05 series. Particularly 605 and 705. Both have True HD and DTS MA decoders. Will retail for $499. This is going to be a monster value.
- Yamaha V661 / HTR 6060 (1080p, with HDMI audio processing!)
- Harman Kardon AVR 247 The best pure sound at this price.
- Sony STR-DG1000
- Denon 2307 CI.
- Onkyo SR604
- Onkyo SR674
$600 - $1000
- Panasonic SA-XR700 (The first official Blu-ray compatible receiver)
- Sony STR-DA3200ES
- Yamaha V1700
- Yamaha V2700
- Denon 2807
- Denon 3806
- Pioneer Elite 74txvi
- Pioneer Elite 72txvi
- Pioneer Elite 82txs
- Pioneer Elite 84txs
2007 Models
- Pioneer Elite 91, 92, 94THX (THD + DTSMA)
- Onkyo SR 805 (probably the BEST Value for you dollar under $1000) (THD + DTSMA), a bit more and you can get the more impressive 875.
- Yamaha V881
-Denon 2808 (THD + DTSMA)
-Harman Kardon 347, 745