Audio Encoding question

[BeardedNinjaGuy]

Since updating my HTS ive been going through and listening to every audio variation I can get just for kicks.

Ive been wondering, if there is a "Ranking" as to what types are better than the others when multiple options are available on some discs. IE DD, DTS EX, Dolby EX ect, Obviously a 6.1 would be chosen over a 5.1, but sometimes its not so clearly labled.

Is there a resource about that ranks the audio encoding qualitys in a better or worse type category? I realise that some are entirely up to the job the studio did in making the acutal tranlation, but when given multiple choices on the same disc, im curious as to what one "should" be the better choice.

[Durentis]

The audio you listen to should be the best your system can support - you need to know your system and choose accordingly. Even though 6.1 is better than 5.1, you should be listening to 5.1 if you only have five speakers (2*front, center, 2*surround) and a sub because you'd lose the audio that's supposed to be sent to the rear speaker in a 6.1 track. The 'm.n' (ie: 5.1) means 'm' speakers and 'n' subwoofers.

Lossless audio is the best and whether you choose PCM, Dolby TrueHD, or DTS HD MA is irrelevant unless your system can't handle one or more of them. Optical can only handle 2.0 uncompressed and the PS3, at least, can't bitstream the lossless compressed formats (TrueHD/HD MA) even over HDMI so you'd probably pick a lossy compressed 5.1 format.

As for DTS vs Dolby.. the DTS demos have always really impressed me. And I don't recall any Dolby demos. So where my opinion would fall there is kinda obvious. But if you have access to the sample rates and bitrates of the compressed tracks, the better track should be that with the higher sample rate and/or bitrate. Bitrates being equal, the track compressed from the higher sample rate should be the better of the two.

Sample rates are a first-pass compression for all intents and purposes (the compression done with TrueHD and HD MA are really second-pass compressions). The higher the sample rate (48 khz, 96khz, 192khz, etc..) the better the recorded sound.

Sorry, but I'm not about to go through the too-numerous-to-list formats and their variations to give a coherent and likely subjective (in part) ordering. Easier to understand the above and use your gut when presented with two or three on a disc. That said, you might find something on Google.

[BeardedNinjaGuy]

Well my HTS (listed in sig) has the Onkyo 605 as the reciever with 7.1 speakers. Its hooked up with a hdmi 1.3 cable to the player. I assume the blu-rays will always go by the best audio track on the disc (correct me if im wrong).

Im mainly just curious for the older DVD's I own. Some of them have various audio encoding versions on them and was just wondering if there was an easy way to see what would technically be better with my system.

[Durentis]

Originally Posted by BeardedNinjaGuy

Well my HTS (listed in sig) has the Onkyo 605 as the reciever with 7.1 speakers. Its hooked up with a hdmi 1.3 cable to the player. I assume the blu-rays will always go by the best audio track on the disc (correct me if im wrong).

Sorry, I just answered generally for anyone else reading and left you to apply it to your system.

As for the default track on blu-rays, I don't think they default to the uncompressed track unless it's a choice by the player. Pretty sure my PS3 always defaults to the lossy tracks but I am stuck on Optical at the moment.

Originally Posted by BeardedNinjaGuy

Im mainly just curious for the older DVD's I own. Some of them have various audio encoding versions on them and was just wondering if there was an easy way to see what would technically be better with my system.

Think the best track is generally at the top of the list.