Question About The Onkyo 605

[Croweyes1121]

So from what I understand, if I get a 605, it'll read everything I send to it from the PS3 as PCM due to the PS3 decoding all the HD codecs to PCM before sending it to the Onkyo? Is this correct? I just don't want to plug in the unit expecting it to say DTS-MA or TrueHD and be surprised if it reads everything as PCM.

Also, can anyone recommend one mode over the other as far as Audessey or Direct? I have read the other thread on that, but I was looking for something a bit more concrete, like "unprocessed is always better, etc."

I'm just looking for a quick set this this way and that that way out of the box and you're good to go. I already know to switch over to Linear PCM output instead of the bitstream mode I'm using now (I'm running optical to a VSX-24TX unit until the Onkyo arrives in about two weeks).

Any recommendations on great-sounding lossless Blu-rays to demo the new unit with? I really want to be blown away by lossless.

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

So from what I understand, if I get a 605, it'll read everything I send to it from the PS3 as PCM, TrueHD or DTS-MA notwithstanding?

Also, can anyone recommend one mode over the other as far as Audessey or Direct? I have read the other thread on that, but I was looking for something a bit more concrete, like "unprocessed is always better, etc."

I'm just looking for a quick set this this way and that that way out of the box and you're good to go. I already know to switch over to Linear PCM output instead of the bitstream mode I'm using now (I'm running optical to a VSX-24TX unit until the Onkyo arrives in about two weeks).

Any recommendations on great-sounding lossless Blu-rays to demo the new unit with? I really want to be blown away by lossless.

I use the Audessey setting, and my 605 is set to "Multich" (I don't like Direct so much) for lossless tracks.

A good lossless demo disc? Man, a lot of them sound great. Maybe try the DTS-HD MA track on Live Free Die Hard or I, Robot.

[hc666]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

So from what I understand, if I get a 605, it'll read everything I send to it from the PS3 as PCM due to the PS3 decoding all the HD codecs to PCM before sending it to the Onkyo? Is this correct? I just don't want to plug in the unit expecting it to say DTS-MA or TrueHD and be surprised if it reads everything as PCM.

Also, can anyone recommend one mode over the other as far as Audessey or Direct? I have read the other thread on that, but I was looking for something a bit more concrete, like "unprocessed is always better, etc."

I'm just looking for a quick set this this way and that that way out of the box and you're good to go. I already know to switch over to Linear PCM output instead of the bitstream mode I'm using now (I'm running optical to a VSX-24TX unit until the Onkyo arrives in about two weeks).

Any recommendations on great-sounding lossless Blu-rays to demo the new unit with? I really want to be blown away by lossless.

Been awhile since i set mine up but it's pretty damn easy... i did audessy and then played with the settings a bit... i used casino royale or live free or die hard to demo the sound...

and you are right on with the PCM stuff... you won;t get the TrueHD or DTS-HD lights.

[Croweyes1121]

Thanks for the quick responses. You guys are great. I have "I, Robot", so maybe I'll try that one for demo'ing the audio. I've also heard fantastic things about the TrueHD on the Dave Matthews Blu-ray which I also have. Good to know about the Onkyo reading all the HD codecs as straight PCM. And I suppose I'll use the Audessey setting myself since I'm used to using the "THX" setting on my Pioneer Elite, which in and of itself processes signal. I'm glad to hear that the setup is relatively painless. I hate having to get used to new equipment, superior to what I now own or otherwise. It's always a learning curve at first. But I'm looking very forward to hearing HD sound for the first time. I hope I can hear a difference, though the new receiver will be worth it for me just to be able to decode Multi-Channel SACD's again. I missed those with my PS3 over optical and can't wait to get them back!

[chotabk]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

it'll read everything I send to it from the PS3 as PCM due to the PS3 decoding all the HD codecs to PCM before sending it to the Onkyo? Is this correct?

correct.

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

Any recommendations on great-sounding lossless Blu-rays to demo the new unit with? I really want to be blown away by lossless.

blown away?

my top 3 audio demo discs now:
1. master and commander
2. sky captain
3. dts demo audio disc

[Croweyes1121]

One more question. I seem to remember reading on here somewhere that I need to switch some setting on the PS3 (from PCM to Bitream maybe) to get the DTS-MA codec to work properly? Or am I thinking of something else. I remember people saying they had to switch something back and forth depending on what lossless soundtrack they were listening to. Anyone know what (if anything) there is to this?

[chotabk]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

One more question. I seem to remember reading on here somewhere that I need to switch some setting on the PS3 (from PCM to Bitream maybe) to get the DTS-MA codec to work properly? Or am I thinking of something else. I remember people saying they had to switch something back and forth depending on what lossless soundtrack they were listening to. Anyone know what (if anything) there is to this?

with the 605 you can only send it PCM via hdmi. otherwise you will get the core dts track. it will show as multichannel pcm, NOT dts-ma.

what you could be thinking is that people set the ps3 to bitstream to check if receiver lights up with truehd, etc... they THEN have to set it back to pcm to get dts-ma.

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

One more question. I seem to remember reading on here somewhere that I need to switch some setting on the PS3 (from PCM to Bitream maybe) to get the DTS-MA codec to work properly? Or am I thinking of something else. I remember people saying they had to switch something back and forth depending on what lossless soundtrack they were listening to. Anyone know what (if anything) there is to this?

Now that the PS3 decodes DTS-HD MA, I almost always have my PS3 output set to Linear PCM. Go to BD Settings, second option up from the bottom can be set to either Bitstream or Linear PCM. The Linear PCM setting will be good for True HD, DTS-HD MA and Linear PCM audio tracks.