PS3 setting - PCM or Bitstream? - Blu-ray Forum

MyBoyBlu · 02-14-2008, 04:08 PM

I would appreciate any advice you all could give me...

Which setting should I select on my PS3 to enjoy the best possible sound - PCM or Bitstream? My PS3 is connected via HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR705 7.1 Receiver.

I've noticed the display on my receiver varies depending on which PS3 setting is selected. For instance, when I press 'display' on my PS3 remote, Dolby TrueHD may be listed, but my receiver does not present the same. Which device do I believe??

As you can probably guess, I'm technologically challenged

THANKS!

mossduncan · 02-14-2008, 04:21 PM

pcm for uncompressed audio which is the best audio

nhaase · 02-14-2008, 04:35 PM

The reason the displays of the sound codecs are different is because the PS3 can only decode Dolby TrueHD before sending it to your receiver, so your receiver gets a PCM stream. If you were to set it to Bitstream, you would only get the Dolby Digital Plus core.

SeanMF · 02-14-2008, 04:54 PM

So every hd codec the ps3 can decode with PCM selected will output as 5.1 or 7.1 PCM?

darkpoet25 · 02-14-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

So every hd codec the ps3 can decode with PCM selected will output as 5.1 or 7.1 PCM?

Yes.

crackinhedz · 02-14-2008, 05:12 PM

I keep my PS3 (hdmi) set to bitstream.

Only when I want to hear Dolby TrueHD, do I change it to Linear PCM.

why? because Uncompressed PCM tracks automatically play as PCM even if set to bitstream, and being Dolby TrueHD is the only codec that needs to physically be set on Linear PCM, it really doesnt matter.

again, when you want to hear Dolby TrueHD it has to be on Linear PCM...anything else it doesnt matter which.

an easy way to switch between Linear PCM and BItstream during movie play is to hit the Triangle button and go to AV Settings.

bambam1901 · 02-14-2008, 05:13 PM

I leave my PS3 sit to bitstream for all codecs other than TrueHD. To get TrueHD from the PS3, it HAS TO BE set to pcm as a previous poster said. Leaving the PS3 set to bitstream will let the receiver do the decoding (including for standard def DVD). If and when the PS3 receives DTS Master decoding, you would also need to set the PS3 to pcm to hear the lossless track. When selecting a PCM track on my setup (PS3 to a Denon 2807), it makes zero difference if the PS3 is set to pcm or bitstream. If I bring up the A/V menu on PS3 while playing a pcm track, there is no break in audio playback when switching between pcm and bitstream. BTW... LOSSLESS ROCKS!!!

bootman · 02-15-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanfarley2

So every hd codec the ps3 can decode with PCM selected will output as 5.1 or 7.1 PCM?

No DTS HD-MA either decoded or bitstream!
Do you own any Fox titles?
If so, only regular DTS is available on the PS3.

jd13 · 02-15-2008, 02:17 AM

Simple Breakdown:

Receiver with no HDMI inputs: Use optical cable always set to Bitstream. If you set it to PCM, you will only get a 2 channel PCM audio stream. No es bueno

There is not enough bandwidth to send ANY of the advance audio codecs over optical.

Receiver with HDMI inputs: Use HDMI set to Bitstream as well. As many have stated, the only codec that you NEED to have for PCM is Dolby TrueHD since the PS3 decodes and cannot send it out via bitstream. When DTS-HDMA comes out, it will be the same thing.

Things to remember:
1.) Bitstream output will get the best sound quality possible when playing SD DVDs because the legacy codec will be sent out for your receiver to decode. Just because the audio is sent to the receiver as PCM, does not mean it is lossless.

2.) When a PCM track is chosen from the BD menu, it will be sent out as PCM, regardless of whether Bitstream or PCM output is chosen.

It really is this simple. I have an Onkyo 674 and a 60gb PS3 and have been enjoying this set-up for over a year now. There are so many posts about this here and at AVS Forum, that it gets to be annoying.

Beating a dead horse... bringing up/asking something that has been discussed a thousand times before

Also, as stated previously, this is only for movies. Games will output whatever they are programmed to output.

quig · 02-14-2008, 05:27 PM

I have a related question concerning my Set up.

I have the PS3 connected to my TV via HDMI and to the receiver via Optical. I seem to be able to get Audio over only one at a time. So I have to go to set up and reconfigure any time I want to switch. Is it possible to set it up so the Audio goes over both?

WriteSimply · 02-14-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quig

I have a related question concerning my Set up.

I have the PS3 connected to my TV via HDMI and to the receiver via Optical. I seem to be able to get Audio over only one at a time. So I have to go to set up and reconfigure any time I want to switch. Is it possible to set it up so the Audio goes over both?

Nope, not with the PS3. One audio/video output at a time.

fuad

jardel · 02-15-2008, 12:41 AM

I just bought this receiver in a Home theater in a box package and I need some help with sound setup on PS3,because I know nothing about it.

Please, for me the best setup is PCM or Bitstream , so I can enjoy the sound of my blu-rays?

I hope someone can explain to me

crackinhedz · 02-15-2008, 12:49 AM

if you're using Optical cable...set it to bitstream.

rucumn · 02-15-2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

if you're using Optical cable...set it to bitstream.

Hi,

I hope you can comfirm my connection's. Do I have it set up correctly for what I currently have?

for the best audio sound(no HDMI) for receiver.

02-14-2008, 04:08 PM	#1
MyBoyBlu Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Virginia Trading Score:541	PS3 setting - PCM or Bitstream? I would appreciate any advice you all could give me... Which setting should I select on my PS3 to enjoy the best possible sound - PCM or Bitstream? My PS3 is connected via HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR705 7.1 Receiver. I've noticed the display on my receiver varies depending on which PS3 setting is selected. For instance, when I press 'display' on my PS3 remote, Dolby TrueHD may be listed, but my receiver does not present the same. Which device do I believe?? As you can probably guess, I'm technologically challenged THANKS!

02-15-2008, 02:17 AM	#9
jd13 Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Spring, TX Home Theater Gallery:15 4K collection:107 Blu-ray collection:618 Blu-ray reviews:6 Trading Score:1	Simple Breakdown: Receiver with no HDMI inputs: Use optical cable always set to Bitstream. If you set it to PCM, you will only get a 2 channel PCM audio stream. No es bueno There is not enough bandwidth to send ANY of the advance audio codecs over optical. Receiver with HDMI inputs: Use HDMI set to Bitstream as well. As many have stated, the only codec that you *NEED* to have for PCM is Dolby TrueHD since the PS3 decodes and cannot send it out via bitstream. When DTS-HDMA comes out, it will be the same thing. Things to remember: 1.) Bitstream output will get the best sound quality possible when playing SD DVDs because the legacy codec will be sent out for your receiver to decode. Just because the audio is sent to the receiver as PCM, does not mean it is lossless. 2.) When a PCM track is chosen from the BD menu, it will be sent out as PCM, regardless of whether Bitstream or PCM output is chosen. It really is this simple. I have an Onkyo 674 and a 60gb PS3 and have been enjoying this set-up for over a year now. There are so many posts about this here and at AVS Forum, that it gets to be annoying. Also, as stated previously, this is only for movies. Games will output whatever they are programmed to output. Last edited by jd13; 02-15-2008 at 03:36 AM. Reason: corrected statement

02-15-2008, 12:41 AM	#12
jardel Member Member since:Jun 2007 Blu-ray collection:118 Blu-ray reviews:6	help with onkyo 908 I just bought this receiver in a Home theater in a box package and I need some help with sound setup on PS3,because I know nothing about it. Please, for me the best setup is PCM or Bitstream , so I can enjoy the sound of my blu-rays? I hope someone can explain to me

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02-14-2008, 04:21 PM	#2
mossduncan Member Member since:Feb 2008 Blu-ray collection:31 Blu-ray reviews:20	pcm for uncompressed audio which is the best audio

02-14-2008, 04:35 PM	#3
nhaase Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Trading Score:2	The reason the displays of the sound codecs are different is because the PS3 can only decode Dolby TrueHD before sending it to your receiver, so your receiver gets a PCM stream. If you were to set it to Bitstream, you would only get the Dolby Digital Plus core.

02-14-2008, 04:54 PM	#4
SeanMF Blu-ray Baron Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Iowa Home Theater Gallery:70 Blu-ray collection:1428 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:83	So every hd codec the ps3 can decode with PCM selected will output as 5.1 or 7.1 PCM?

02-14-2008, 05:12 PM	#6
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	I keep my PS3 (hdmi) set to bitstream. Only when I want to hear Dolby TrueHD, do I change it to Linear PCM. why? because Uncompressed PCM tracks automatically play as PCM even if set to bitstream, and being Dolby TrueHD is the only codec that needs to physically be set on Linear PCM, it really doesnt matter. again, when you want to hear Dolby TrueHD it has to be on Linear PCM...anything else it doesnt matter which. an easy way to switch between Linear PCM and BItstream during movie play is to hit the Triangle button and go to AV Settings.

02-14-2008, 05:13 PM	#7
bambam1901 Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Tampa, FL	I leave my PS3 sit to bitstream for all codecs other than TrueHD. To get TrueHD from the PS3, it HAS TO BE set to pcm as a previous poster said. Leaving the PS3 set to bitstream will let the receiver do the decoding (including for standard def DVD). If and when the PS3 receives DTS Master decoding, you would also need to set the PS3 to pcm to hear the lossless track. When selecting a PCM track on my setup (PS3 to a Denon 2807), it makes zero difference if the PS3 is set to pcm or bitstream. If I bring up the A/V menu on PS3 while playing a pcm track, there is no break in audio playback when switching between pcm and bitstream. BTW... LOSSLESS ROCKS!!!

02-14-2008, 05:27 PM	#10
quig New Member Member since:Aug 2007	I have a related question concerning my Set up. I have the PS3 connected to my TV via HDMI and to the receiver via Optical. I seem to be able to get Audio over only one at a time. So I have to go to set up and reconfigure any time I want to switch. Is it possible to set it up so the Audio goes over both?

02-15-2008, 12:49 AM	#13
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	if you're using Optical cable...set it to bitstream.

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