2.0 audio from PS3. HELP!

[Terd]

1st, I'm sure this may have been addressed at some point by someone, so I'm really sorry if I'm being a noob. I searched different threads for about 25 minutes but couldn't seem to find the specific answer to my problem.

Thanks in advance for any replies and help.

Here's my setup. I've got my PS3 running HDMI into the TV, and optical into the RCA receiver, that has no HDMI. I've got my PS3 audio set to "bitstream", and I watch movies in 5.1.

I've watched Terminator 2, Kung Fu Panda, The Dark Knight, The 5th Element, Black Hawk Down, Indiana Jones KOTCS, Batman Begins, and Iron Man, on BD without any problems. However, Wall-E, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Prince Caspian all give me 5.1 audio on the previews and main menus, but as soon as the feature begins, all audio drops out completely. For me to get audio back, I've got to pull up the PS3 menu and switch my settings from "bitstream" to "linear PCM" which then decodes the audio as 2.0 pro-logic simulated surround stereo .

So my question is, is it the way Disney is coding their movies? Is there anything I can do? Am I missing something? Has anyone else heard of this, or had this problem? And most importantly, what is the most cost effective way of fixing this issue? It just seems wierd that I get 5.1 on previews and main menus, but silence during the feature.

I'm baffled

[crackinhedz]

make sure there is a check mark next to Dts 5.1

[crackinhedz]

unless your receiver cannot decode dts...what model is it?

[Terd]

You may be on to something. No, I don't believe my reciever decodes DTS. It does digital 5.1, but there's no DTS logo/tag on it anywhere. It was a cheap $150 all in one setup that I got at WalMart 3 years ago. I'm not going to cry if I have to replace it. I did mess around with my PS3 after reading your posts since my audio screen doesn't give me all the linear PCM options yours does. I think my screen stops at 48k.

Another odd clue to the puzzle. I switched off the DTS 5.1 box, leaving only the top, digital 5.1 checked. Now, I get 2.0 audio on both "linear PCM" and "bitstream: settings. But not 5.1 on either?

[crackinhedz]

well what is happeneing, is since your receiver does not decode Dts...the PS3 is automatically decoding Dts-HD MA internally...and when this happens, it will only send out as 2.0 over the optical cable.

set to bitstream...now, if you watch a standard DVD with dts, you should get 5.1.

But with Bluray, the audio track is Dts-HD MA. The PS3 will decode this, but as I said will only output as 2.0

[Terd]

Thanks. So would you say the solution to this is to invest in a DTS receiver then?

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Terd

Thanks. So would you say the solution to this is to invest in a DTS receiver then?

Definitely. In fact, you can get a huge upgrade by going to an HDMI-capable receiver. You'll not only get DTS, but DTS-HD MA, TrueHD and PCM lossless to play around with as well.

The Onkyo 605/606 and the Yamaha 663 are two good entry-level receivers I'd recommend you look at.

[Terd]

Thanks alot, I'll look into those. Honestly I'll probably just hit the open box section of Best Buy between Christmas and New Years.

A great receiver does me no good at this point because I'm squished for space as is, so even though I'll be replacing my receiver I have to keep my little "all in one package" speakers, solely because they're 5 inches wide and I can't allocate more space at this time.

Thanks you guys, when I fix this problem in a couple weeks, I'll bump this thread with an update.

[Driver_King]

Make sure your speakers' impendance levels are above 6ohms (8 or 16ohms.) Any lower and you'll risk destroying your receiver and setting your place on fire.