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Blu-ray audio and PS3 w/Spiderman 3

1892 Views 21 Replies 10 Participants Last post by steven975, May 1, 2008

BMLocal175

Discussion Starter · Jan 23, 2008

I'm using optical out for audio on the PS3 to my Denon AVR-4800.

I have the PS3 set at Bitstream for optical.

Now Spiderman 3 has 2 options for audio. 5.1 TrueHD and PCM5.1 uncompressed. I can hear both on my receiver but only Truehd lights up my 5.1 sound on the 4800.

The display for each on the TV reads.... TrueHD5.1 says....Dolby Digital Multi-Channel 48 KHz 640 kbps and the other audio option reads.....

Linear PCM 5.1 ch 48 khz 4.6 Mbps.

Which of these is giving me the best sound that I can produce with the 4800 and the PS3?

Seeing how I don't have HDMI for audio I'm guessing the TrueHD is the one I'm suppose to listen to and to me sounds the best. The PCM track is quieter and lacks the bass but probably is because my receiver can't handle the full potential of it. Just want some expert advice on what settings I should have for the best sound. Also will this be what I use on most Blu-ray movies that I watch?

Would it make any difference switching the optical setting on the PS3 to linearPCM?

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Jiffylush

· #2 · Jan 24, 2008

Over optical I think you can only get 2 channel PCM, so TrueHD (which you may only be getting the core part of...) is the better choice imho.

Filler

· #3 · Jan 24, 2008

Since you set it to bitstream over optical, wouldn't it automatically use the hidden Dolby Digital track?

That's what mine did.

SirDrexl

· #4 · Jan 24, 2008

Yeah, you're getting a Dolby Digital track that runs parallel to the TrueHD track. This track will play if your system isn't capable of TrueHD. I'd leave it as it is, but some have actually preferred switching to PCM and having the receiver process that into "5.1" using DPLII or the like.

Blu Camry SE

· #5 · Apr 29, 2008

On Spider-Man 3, which of the two available tracks on the Blu ray is "preferred," the TrueHD or the PCM Uncompressed? Which of the two is the more "impactful"?

Thanks in advance...

elvisizer

· #6 · Apr 29, 2008

they should be the same, blu. there usually are slight differences in the overall volume level of the tracks, but once you set the relative volumes equally, you should not hear a difference between pcm and trueHD.

Blu Camry SE

· #7 · Apr 29, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by elvisizer /forum/post/13757778

they should be the same, blu. there usually are slight differences in the overall volume level of the tracks, but once you set the relative volumes equally, you should not hear a difference between pcm and trueHD.

Thank You Elv,

The problem is, I've done an A/B between the two during playback and can't discern a difference, really; it has often been suggested that the TrueHD track is a bit "punchier" and louder than the PCM mix -- if this can be confirmed, I would use that one...

And what the heck is the deal with that link at the bottom of your posts in your signature? What is the deal with THAT?

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bases1616

· #8 · Apr 30, 2008

English Audio Formats for Spiderman 3

English PCM 5.1 Surround (48kHz/16-Bit/4.6mbps)

English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit)

The DTHD will be the louder more fuller audio track on Spiderman 3. A good scene to test out is when Flint Marco becomes Sandman. The DTHD is definitely the more powerful audio track.

jblank74

· #9 · Apr 30, 2008

Do what I do, set it to Linear and on your receiver use Dolby Pro Logic IIx to distribute it to 5.1. At least on my Sony receiver, it makes an appreciable difference over using the regular bitstream for DTS and Dolby 5.1.

Blu Camry SE

· #10 · Apr 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by bases1616 /forum/post/13760754

English Audio Formats for Spiderman 3

English PCM 5.1 Surround (48kHz/16-Bit/4.6mbps)

English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit)

The DTHD will be the louder more fuller audio track on Spiderman 3. A good scene to test out is when Flint Marco becomes Sandman. The DTHD is definitely the more powerful audio track.

Thank you very, very much Bases...this has cleared a lot up for me; I shall run the Dolby TrueHD track when watching this title...

You know what I always thought was a good stand out scene for audio as well -- aside from the Sandman sequence you mention? The scene early on when Harry is chasing Pete on his surfboard device; the woosh of the board flying around the surround channels and the balls he uses as weapons are pretty wicked in that scene...

Blu Camry SE

· #11 · Apr 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by jblank74 /forum/post/13760947

Do what I do, set it to Linear and on your receiver use Dolby Pro Logic IIx to distribute it to 5.1. At least on my Sony receiver, it makes an appreciable difference over using the regular bitstream for DTS and Dolby 5.1.

My Panasonic Blu ray player is set to output TrueHD as decoded PCM, and sends that to my Onkyo receiver for multichannel processing...

Is this not the correct way of running things?

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steven975

· #12 · Apr 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by bases1616 /forum/post/13760754

English Audio Formats for Spiderman 3

English PCM 5.1 Surround (48kHz/16-Bit/4.6mbps)

English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit)

The DTHD will be the louder more fuller audio track on Spiderman 3. A good scene to test out is when Flint Marco becomes Sandman. The DTHD is definitely the more powerful audio track.

Don't forget the third English Track...Dolby Digital 5.1 at 640kbps.

The TrueHD and DD track are separate, and you can get one or the other. If you don't have HDMI, you are getting the DD track if the optical is set to Bitstream.

Contrary to what some have stated, there is no "core" Dolby Digital track inside the TrueHD track...it doesn't work like that. They are entirely separate, and which you get depends on your settings. I believe some menus actually change the track label, too.

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jblank74

· #13 · Apr 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Camry SE /forum/post/13762746

My Panasonic Blu ray player is set to output TrueHD as decoded PCM, and sends that to my Onkyo receiver for multichannel processing...

Is this not the correct way of running things?

If I am understanding you correctly, you are doing the exact thing I am doing.

Blu Camry SE

· #14 · Apr 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by steven975 /forum/post/13763304

Don't forget the third English Track...Dolby Digital 5.1 at 640kbps.

The TrueHD and DD track are separate, and you can get one or the other. If you don't have HDMI, you are getting the DD track if the optical is set to Bitstream.

Contrary to what some have stated, there is no "core" Dolby Digital track inside the TrueHD track...it doesn't work like that. They are entirely separate, and which you get depends on your settings. I believe some menus actually change the track label, too.

No, indeed Steven, I am aware that if you set the TrueHD to BITSTREAM on players that don't support it -- like my Panasonic -- you'll only get a Dolby Digital "mixdown" track of sorts; I do in fact have an HDMI connection going from my Blu ray deck to my receiver -- but even still, I do not have the ability to send bitstreamed TrueHD, so my player must send it as decoded PCM...

Now, with regard to the remainder of your post, I didn't even realize there was the Dolby Digital mix on the BD of SM3 -- are you saying that this Dolby Digital track is "imbedded" in the disc, and if you select TrueHD BITSTREAM output on your Blu ray player and it can't do that, that automatically a Dolby Digital mix is "extracted" from wherever it's "imbedded"? Is that what you meant by a Dolby Digital track is not "extracted" from the CORE of the TrueHD track?

All in all, do you also recommend the TrueHD mix over the PCM for this particular title, in terms of "punch" and volume?

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Blu Camry SE

· #15 · Apr 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by jblank74 /forum/post/13763560

If I am understanding you correctly, you are doing the exact thing I am doing.

Okay -- no, I was just wondering because you threw me off a little when you mentioned all that about Pro Logic II and such -- I don't think anyone should be using Pro Logic II when running these PCM/TrueHD tracks...MULTICHANNEL PCM mode is what we should be using, if I'm understanding correctly...

Blu Camry SE

· #16 · May 1, 2008

Just thought I would throw this quote in from The Digital Bits' review of SM3, in which (Bill Hunt I presume) actually preferred the PCM track for these reasons:

The audio is no less disappointing. Encoded with both Dolby TrueHD and linear PCM tracks, Spider-Man 3 on Blu-ray is a breathtaking aural experience. The entire soundstage is used to full effect with clear dialog, pounding low frequencies and split-surround effects. Between the two high-end soundtracks, the linear PCM track is the preferred choice. Differences are slight, but there are differences nonetheless. The Dolby version has a slightly more plugged-up sound when compared with the airier, more transparent PCM track. This is likely due to the lower, variable bit-rate of the Dolby technology compared with the higher, fixed bit-rate of PCM. Again, these are not differences that slap you in face, but they're enough to notice.

...and so while the concensus was pretty much to run Spidey 3's TrueHD track instead of the PCM mix, now this news comes and makes me wonder which one is...well..."better"...

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shadowrage

· #17 · May 1, 2008

The PCM sounds slightly more 'robust'. The TrueHD track is missing a certain something to where there is a difference that affects the listening experience, so small I can't identify it.(BTW I'm a sucker for bit depth and wanter to like the TrueHD more).

But with T5E I prefer the TrueHD to the PCM track. It doesn't matter which is better. Just choose what floats your boat.

Blu Camry SE

· #18 · May 1, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowrage /forum/post/13768251

The PCM sounds slightly more 'robust'. The TrueHD track is missing a certain something to where there is a difference that affects the listening experience, so small I can't identify it.(BTW I'm a sucker for bit depth and wanter to like the TrueHD more).

But with T5E I prefer the TrueHD to the PCM track. It doesn't matter which is better. Just choose what floats your boat.

Well, that's the problem, Shadow...I don't know which one floats my boat!!

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shadowrage

· #19 · May 1, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blu Camry SE /forum/post/13768277

Well, that's the problem, Shadow...I don't know which one floats my boat!!

DTS-MA.

You're welcome.

Go with the PCM, you won't second guess yourself.

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Blu Camry SE

· #20 · May 1, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowrage /forum/post/13768282

DTS-MA.

You're welcome.

Go with the PCM, you won't second guess yourself.

Indeed...DTS Master Audio...that would be MY favorite as well, but unfortunately, I don't have my paws on a player that will bitstream this yet so I'm stuck with the DTS core...

So...you suggest running the PCM when other suggestions above in this post have suggested going with the TrueHD?

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