While I'm pretty good on the audio formats, I am week on the PS3. (even though I own one, I am only using optical on it).
I'll defer to others that are really up on both.
I'll defer to others that are really up on both.
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Overwhelmed by audio formats - what to do?
My goals are pretty simple:
1) To make use of all 7.1 speakers in my theater for most if not all movies.
2) To use the best sounding audio on any disc.
My setup:
-Denon 3808CI
-Sony PS3
-HDMI for audio/video
-Using pre outs on Denon for all channels.
I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed at the number of possible decoding scenarios for a given disc. On the one hand, people say to use bitstream output on your source because use of PCM outputs everything as 2 channel, and on the other hand I have newer Blu Ray discs with uncompressed multichannel PCM. Some formats are decoded in the player, some are decoded in the receiver. Add to this that I want to get to 7.1 on 5.1 recordings, and theres yet another layer of complexity.
Is there a guide for people to understand the differences between the different audio formats? I realize there's debate about which sounds best, but surely there's some agreement such as "uncompressed PCM is better than bitstream", but even this statement is something I don't know whether it is accurate.
I think my configuration is not unusual, so if someone would like to PM me the specific steps to reach my goals with the PS3 and 3808, I would be eternally grateful.
Thanks!
1) To make use of all 7.1 speakers in my theater for most if not all movies.
2) To use the best sounding audio on any disc.
My setup:
-Denon 3808CI
-Sony PS3
-HDMI for audio/video
-Using pre outs on Denon for all channels.
I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed at the number of possible decoding scenarios for a given disc. On the one hand, people say to use bitstream output on your source because use of PCM outputs everything as 2 channel, and on the other hand I have newer Blu Ray discs with uncompressed multichannel PCM. Some formats are decoded in the player, some are decoded in the receiver. Add to this that I want to get to 7.1 on 5.1 recordings, and theres yet another layer of complexity.
Is there a guide for people to understand the differences between the different audio formats? I realize there's debate about which sounds best, but surely there's some agreement such as "uncompressed PCM is better than bitstream", but even this statement is something I don't know whether it is accurate.
I think my configuration is not unusual, so if someone would like to PM me the specific steps to reach my goals with the PS3 and 3808, I would be eternally grateful.
Thanks!
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Since the PS3 currently doesn't bitstream the advanced audio codecs like TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, you should set it to output PCM thru HDMI.
Uncompressed PCM is bit-for-bit identical to TrueHD/DTS-HD - in fact, after these streams are decompressed by the player or receiver, the end result is PCM. The only difference is, since PCM is uncompressed it takes a huge amount of disk space.
For your receiver, you should have it process any incoming signals with Dolby Prologic IIx to get 7.1 sound from a 5.1 source.
Uncompressed PCM is bit-for-bit identical to TrueHD/DTS-HD - in fact, after these streams are decompressed by the player or receiver, the end result is PCM. The only difference is, since PCM is uncompressed it takes a huge amount of disk space.
For your receiver, you should have it process any incoming signals with Dolby Prologic IIx to get 7.1 sound from a 5.1 source.
It's simple with the PS3. You can't send bitstream for TrueHD, the PS3 decodes it and can send it via HDMI/MPCM.
DTS-HD Master Audio decoding is not supported; I believe you are stuck with the PS3 decoding the core DTS stream, and sending it via HDMI/MPCM.
I am not sure about Dolby Digital+, probably the same answer as TrueHD.
If the Blu-ray disc has PCM, once again, you will use HDMI/MPCM.
I am unsure about Dolby Digital or DTS soundtracks. I think you may be able to select bitstream, but there's no need with HDMI as I believe the PS3 can decode those and send them as HDMI/PCM.
In conclusion, set your system up for HDMI/MPCM as long as your receiver handles 5.1 MPCM or better. Otherwise you are stuck with an optical/Coax S/PDIF connection and Dolby Digital/DTS.
DTS-HD Master Audio decoding is not supported; I believe you are stuck with the PS3 decoding the core DTS stream, and sending it via HDMI/MPCM.
I am not sure about Dolby Digital+, probably the same answer as TrueHD.
If the Blu-ray disc has PCM, once again, you will use HDMI/MPCM.
I am unsure about Dolby Digital or DTS soundtracks. I think you may be able to select bitstream, but there's no need with HDMI as I believe the PS3 can decode those and send them as HDMI/PCM.
In conclusion, set your system up for HDMI/MPCM as long as your receiver handles 5.1 MPCM or better. Otherwise you are stuck with an optical/Coax S/PDIF connection and Dolby Digital/DTS.
OK, very helpful, thanks.
In other words, let the PS3 decode *all* formats, and output as PCM? Will it output everything as multi-channel PCM? I had read elsewhere that PCM is output as 2 channel, but perhaps that was incorrect, or the PS3 is different.
Or, do I have to configure the PS3 differently depending on the disc I am playing? I hope that's not the case, but as long as I know what to do, I can make decisions from there.
Thanks!
Kelly
In other words, let the PS3 decode *all* formats, and output as PCM? Will it output everything as multi-channel PCM? I had read elsewhere that PCM is output as 2 channel, but perhaps that was incorrect, or the PS3 is different.
Or, do I have to configure the PS3 differently depending on the disc I am playing? I hope that's not the case, but as long as I know what to do, I can make decisions from there.
Thanks!
Kelly
Nope, PCM can be 2 channel, 5.1, 7.1, or whatever you want it to be.
You won't have to do that. Just leave the PS3 on PCM/HDMI and you should be fine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kstirman /forum/post/12848078
OK, very helpful, thanks.
In other words, let the PS3 decode *all* formats, and output as PCM? Will it output everything as multi-channel PCM? I had read elsewhere that PCM is output as 2 channel, but perhaps that was incorrect, or the PS3 is different.
Nope, PCM can be 2 channel, 5.1, 7.1, or whatever you want it to be.
Quote:
Or, do I have to configure the PS3 differently depending on the disc I am playing? I hope that's not the case, but as long as I know what to do, I can make decisions from there.
Thanks!
Kelly
You won't have to do that. Just leave the PS3 on PCM/HDMI and you should be fine.
Not all AVRs will do that, K. No clue if your Denon can apply processing to MPCM
Success!!
Thanks to everyone, I believe I have things working in the optimal fashion:
1) PS3 configured to output everything as PCM.
2) 3808ci configured to apply ProLogicIIx to all incoming signals.
I've tried all Blu-Ray and standard DVD titles, not too many total, but so far so good.
Never sounded better.
As an aside, I used to have an XA2, and while I think it could be better at upconversion (subtle), I'll gladly take the fast boot and chapter navigation of the PS3 any day. I also find the "remote" quite usable, and I am no gamer.
Thanks again for all the help.
Kelly
Thanks to everyone, I believe I have things working in the optimal fashion:
1) PS3 configured to output everything as PCM.
2) 3808ci configured to apply ProLogicIIx to all incoming signals.
I've tried all Blu-Ray and standard DVD titles, not too many total, but so far so good.
Never sounded better.
As an aside, I used to have an XA2, and while I think it could be better at upconversion (subtle), I'll gladly take the fast boot and chapter navigation of the PS3 any day. I also find the "remote" quite usable, and I am no gamer.
Thanks again for all the help.
Kelly
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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