PS3 & Lossless Audio Clarification

[tommyjitsu]

I was considering upgrading my receiver. I have the older "fat" PS3 connected to a Harman Kardon 247 Receiver. Can the more experienced clarify the following for me:

1) When playing a blu ray my avr247 displays "mulitchannel pcm". Am I correct in thinking I am receiving dolby true hd and dts hd audio?

2) If the answer to #1 is YES, would it be of any benefit to upgrade to a receiver that can decode the hd audio formats? My understanding is that this would be a useless because the older ps3 will still decode, and a newer receiver will display "multichannel or linear pcm" instead of the desired dolby true hd or dts hd.

3) Having the older PS3 decode and avr247 playing as " multichannel pcm" is the same sound quality as a blu ray player sending audio as bit stream to a capable receiver that can decode. The only difference would be the display on the receiver would read dts hd, etc. Therefore, upgrading both woud be of no benefit.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by tommyjitsu

I was considering upgrading my receiver. I have the older "fat" PS3 connected to a Harman Kardon 247 Receiver. Can the more experienced clarify the following for me:

1) When playing a blu ray my avr247 displays "mulitchannel pcm". Am I correct in thinking I am receiving dolby true hd and dts hd audio?

Yes, you are correct. EDIT: Well, actually as I read my answer, not necessarily. Some Blu-rays default to the core track (DD5.1 or DTS) and need to be changed to the correct HD audio. I always make a habit of going into settings before I start a movie to make sure I am on the HD audio track. Takes maybe 10-15 seconds.

Originally Posted by tommyjitsu

2) If the answer to #1 is YES, would it be of any benefit to upgrade to a receiver that can decode the hd audio formats? My understanding is that this would be a useless because the older ps3 will still decode, and a newer receiver will display "multichannel or linear pcm" instead of the desired dolby true hd or dts hd.

No. Your PS3 cannot bitstream, so it would not be beneficial to you right now.

Originally Posted by tommyjitsu

3) Having the older PS3 decode and avr247 playing as " multichannel pcm" is the same sound quality as a blu ray player sending audio as bit stream to a capable receiver that can decode. The only difference would be the display on the receiver would read dts hd, etc. Therefore, upgrading both woud be of no benefit.

Depends. Some say it is the same others say no. Personally, I feel I get a better dynamic range from bitstreaming the HD audio from my stand-alone player than when I let my PS3 decode and send it to my receiver as PCM.

[Blu Titan]

All of the info you need can be found here: Audio and the PS3

[hcm2009]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Yes, you are correct. EDIT: Well, actually as I read my answer, not necessarily. Some Blu-rays default to the core track (DD5.1 or DTS) and need to be changed to the correct HD audio. I always make a habit of going into settings before I start a movie to make sure I am on the HD audio track. Takes maybe 10-15 seconds.



No. Your PS3 cannot bitstream, so it would not be beneficial to you right now.



Depends. Some say it is the same others say no. Personally, I feel I get a better dynamic range from bitstreaming the HD audio from my stand-alone player than when I let my PS3 decode and send it to my receiver as PCM.

Thank you so much for the post. It's really informative!

[Warjack Prime]

I bought a slim PS3 so I could bitstream. I also bought it for the larger HDD though. $299? Yes please!

[kman]

Originally Posted by Warjack Prime

I bought a slim PS3 so I could bitstream. I also bought it for the larger HDD though. $299? Yes please!

Dont forget that its quieter. My 60gb PS3 is starting to really sound like a jet engine. Its kinda distracting during quieter scenes in movies.

[MrFattBill]

Originally Posted by kman

Dont forget that its quieter. My 60gb PS3 is starting to really sound like a jet engine. Its kinda distracting during quieter scenes in movies.

Mine as well....I am thinking about utilizing a 30ft HDMI cable I have doing nothing and throwing the PS3 in the basement, lol.

Bill

[Mordir]

Originally Posted by Warjack Prime

I bought a slim PS3 so I could bitstream. I also bought it for the larger HDD though. $299? Yes please!

A lot of people are having issues with the PS3 slim bitstreaming the HD codecs. My cousin has the AVR354 and he has issues with bitstreaming from the slim. Based on some of the forums I have read it is an issue mostly between the slim and Pioneer or Harman Kardon receivers.