Uncompressed PCM 5.1 via Optical Link

[JayAuritt]

Okay, for many this might seem a stupid/elementary question, but for the technically-challenged like myself, it's something I need to know.

I have a PS3, connected to the TV via HDMI for video and to a receiver via Optical cable for audio. When I first set up the PS3 I chose the PCM option for audio, and was instructed later through one of the forum threads that I should have it set up as Bitstream, which I then did.

Now.....I just watched The Departed, selecting the PCM audio option on the disc rather than the Dolby Digital 5.1. My receiver indicated that 2 channels were being utilized, instead of the 5.1 channels I usually see when watching a DD or DTS disc.

Is this correct, and was I truly getting PCM 5.1 sound (it sure sounded good to me)? Or, in the case of watching a movie with PCM audio should I change the PS3 audio option from Bitstream to PCM?

I hope that makes sense.

[Maximus]

Digital can only do 2 channel PCM which your receiver will convert to 5.1 through a bit of Dolby Pro Logic II trickery. If you are not using HDMI to a receiver for sound, digital is the way forwards as you get 5.1 discrete channels.

Therefore I would advocate setting the PS3 to bitstream.

[JayAuritt]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Digital can only do 2 channel PCM which your receiver will convert to 5.1 through a bit of Dolby Pro Logic II trickery. If you are not using HDMI to a receiver for sound, digital is the way forwards as you get 5.1 discrete channels.

Therefore I would advocate setting the PS3 to bitstream.

Great...thanks....that's what I figured, but needed to confirm.
One more question - one that is at least several months premature. When HDMI 1.3 receivers ARE available (and I intend to pick one up the second Yamaha produces one) and I connect the PS3 for both audio and video via HDMI to this new receiver, am I correct in assuming that THEN I switch from Bitstream to PCM on the PS3?

[JToddler]

You may want to get one of the latest Sony ES receivers like the STR-DA5200ES for uncompressed PCM audio via HDMI:

http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...h=n32100n46020

[goodstuff]

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Digital can only do 2 channel PCM which your receiver will convert to 5.1 through a bit of Dolby Pro Logic II trickery. If you are not using HDMI to a receiver for sound, digital is the way forwards as you get 5.1 discrete channels.

Therefore I would advocate setting the PS3 to bitstream.

Even 2-channel PCM run through DPLII can sound pretty damn good. I would imagine it's pretty much the equivalent of listening to an uncompressed Dolby Pro Logic laserdisc. Am I correct in thinking that the 2-channel through optical is still uncompressed?

[theknub]

i would think the 2 channel is. it would sound fantastic, but without the discretes, it always seems im missing something