Why is my PCM not as good as Dolby 5.1? - Blu-ray Forum

Blaze98 · 07-11-2009, 06:54 AM

I know there are threads about this and i searched and could not find the one i was looking for....

I have my ps3 set up with my home theater and i keep reading that PCM is better than dolby 5.1..... but on mine it is louder but not as good. the surround is very faint and is kind of boomy where as the 5.1 has great surround but is not as loud... im very confused i have audi set up on a optical cable. any help would be awesome!!

boredandlazy · 07-11-2009, 07:24 AM

I did a quick bit of research on your receiver and apparently it does not have HDMI inputs. So you must be using coax/optical digital cabling to your receiver. Using that sort of connection means you can only get 2 channel PCM sound, while you can get the full 5.1 Dolby Digital.
Your receiver is probably doing some processing to spread the 2.0 to the rear speakers but it isn't true surround hence why DD sounds better.
Personally I'd recommend sticking with the Dolby Digital(Setting your PS3 to bitsream) until you get a receiver with HDMI that can handle lossless surround sound.

red_5ive · 07-11-2009, 07:41 AM

The manual for your AVR 320 says it only supports standard PCM which is stereo, so you're not getting discrete 5.1 audio which is why normal DD 5.1 sounds better. Also, the talk you hear about PCM being better refers to Linear PCM, or LPCM which is multi-channel and uncompressed. Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support it. You need HDMI capability in order to get LPCM.

edit: Whoops, boredandlazy beat me to it. I had started typing that and stepped away for a bit before hitting submit. Should'a refreshed first.

Johnny Vinyl · 07-11-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_5ive

The manual for your AVR 320 says it only supports standard PCM which is stereo, so you're not getting discrete 5.1 audio which is why normal DD 5.1 sounds better. Also, the talk you hear about PCM being better refers to Linear PCM, or LPCM which is multi-channel and uncompressed. Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support it. You need HDMI capability in order to get LPCM.

edit: Whoops, boredandlazy beat me to it. I had started typing that and stepped away for a bit before hitting submit. Should'a refreshed first.

That statement is kinda funny when you think of it!

John

Suntory_Times · 07-11-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

That statement is kinda funny when you think of it!

John

Indeed.

red_5ive · 07-11-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

That statement is kinda funny when you think of it!

John

Haha, yeah... I was gonna comment after I posted that cause I was wondering how that could'a happened.

RiseDarthVader · 07-11-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_5ive

The manual for your AVR 320 says it only supports standard PCM which is stereo, so you're not getting discrete 5.1 audio which is why normal DD 5.1 sounds better. Also, the talk you hear about PCM being better refers to Linear PCM, or LPCM which is multi-channel and uncompressed. Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support it. You need HDMI capability in order to get LPCM.

edit: Whoops, boredandlazy beat me to it. I had started typing that and stepped away for a bit before hitting submit. Should'a refreshed first.

I think someone said Optical does have the bandwidth it's just not HDCP compatible.

Icemage · 07-11-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

I think someone said Optical does have the bandwidth it's just not HDCP compatible.

Yes, the problem is HDCP non-compliance.

Blaze98 · 07-11-2009, 04:23 PM

Awesome! thanks guys thats why i love comeing to this forum, Every time i ever ask a question someone is willing to help.
Yeah My Reciever that is listed isnt even the one that is hooked up right now. was moveing stuff around so i have a Yamaha reciever hooked up but it is not HMDI either. IM looking for a decent reciever that is HDMI and has True DOLBYHD and DTSHD that isnt $500. kinda on a budget untill we get another house. any suggestions? i have done alot of research but still cant find much, Best Buy and a few other places are still really high unless its on sale. i have looded on a few other forums, Just wondering what model/Brand i should lean twards...

EDIT:

Also will i be able to use PCM in all channels on HDMI and get the picture through a hdmi to DVI cable? i would have to run it from the ps3 to the reciever then from the reciever out to the tv with the hdmi/dvi cable correct? will i still get the better audio if it send the picture out to a dvi connection?

devilfan9500 · 07-11-2009, 05:06 PM

blaze I have the perfect reciever for you!!! I'm tight with the wallet too so after searching long and hard i found my reciever. PIONEER VSX 919 AH-K simply one of the best recievers. got mine from buy.com with shipping was about $350 one hell of a reciever check it out.

Johnny Vinyl · 07-11-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolphinc

The Yamaha 465 sells for $329US and it decodes TrueHD & DTSHD, it also pushes 5.1 105w x 5 and it has 4 HDMI 1.3 outs. Best reciever under $350 by a long shot. Check it out at either Best Buy or Amazon.com. I have the 565 and love it.

This was a reply from another thread I was on this morning.

John

devilfan9500 · 07-11-2009, 05:18 PM

john have you had the chance to check out the pioneer 919 that i suggested? I was originally going to go with the sony strdg820 that my father in law has but there was something i just didnt like about it luckily i found the pioneer its awsome even cnet said the auto cal is better than any they have seen and trust me it is. I dont know if i just got lucky but i got it for around $350 shipped

Johnny Vinyl · 07-11-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilfan9500

john have you had the chance to check out the pioneer 919 that i suggested? I was originally going to go with the sony strdg820 that my father in law has but there was something i just didnt like about it luckily i found the pioneer its awsome even cnet said the auto cal is better than any they have seen and trust me it is. I dont know if i just got lucky but i got it for around $350 shipped

Hi devilfan

I think you may have me confused with another John. I'm not looking for an AVR..I have a Yamaha HTR6190B and am more than happy with it!

John

devilfan9500 · 07-11-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi devilfan

I think you may have me confused with another John. I'm not looking for an AVR..I have a Yamaha HTR6190B and am more than happy with it!

John

My Bad I meant to type blaze very

working 16 hrs

and 6 cups of coffee later

just a typo???!!!

Johnny Vinyl · 07-11-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilfan9500

My Bad I meant to type blaze very

working 16 hrs

and 6 cups of coffee later

just a typo???!!!

LOL! It's all good buddy! I know what you mean about the long hours! Although I'm off today and groovin' to some terrific sounds!

John

ps3andlovinit · 07-11-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blaze98

Awesome! thanks guys thats why i love comeing to this forum, Every time i ever ask a question someone is willing to help.
Yeah My Reciever that is listed isnt even the one that is hooked up right now. was moveing stuff around so i have a Yamaha reciever hooked up but it is not HMDI either. IM looking for a decent reciever that is HDMI and has True DOLBYHD and DTSHD that isnt $500. kinda on a budget untill we get another house. any suggestions? i have done alot of research but still cant find much, Best Buy and a few other places are still really high unless its on sale. i have looded on a few other forums, Just wondering what model/Brand i should lean twards...

Well if your on a budget .. AFAIK you don't need to pay extra for a receiver with Dolby HD and DTS HD .. since it's done by your player already. Your essentially paying for the decoding twice going that route. You just need one that handles multi-channel PCM .. which theoretically should be cheaper.

Not sure if something like this works or not ... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11064251

Maybe others with more knowledge about receivers can chime in..

devilfan9500 · 07-11-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

Well if your on a budget .. AFAIK you don't need to pay extra for a receiver with Dolby HD and DTS HD .. since it's done by your player already. Your essentially paying for the decoding twice going that route. You just need one that handles multi-channel PCM .. which theoretically should be cheaper.

Not sure if something like this works or not ... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=11064251

Maybe others with more knowledge about receivers can chime in..

the 519 is ok but it isnt 7.1 its a 5.1 reciever and i'm not sure if it has auto calibration which most certainly helps

Blaze98 · 07-11-2009, 06:47 PM

It looks like an amazing receiver by the specs. its almost $175 cheaper on buy.com than it is at Best Buy... i like going to best buy to play with the units then go online and buy them... anyways.. i am thinking about this one now, i needs to sell mine first to get some more cash first.

red_5ive · 07-11-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiseDarthVader

I think someone said Optical does have the bandwidth it's just not HDCP compatible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icemage

Yes, the problem is HDCP non-compliance.

Ah, well news that's to me. Guess I have some reading to do. Thanks.

Blaze98 · 07-11-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

Well if your on a budget .. AFAIK you don't need to pay extra for a receiver with Dolby HD and DTS HD .. since it's done by your player already. Your essentially paying for the decoding twice going that route. You just need one that handles multi-channel PCM .. which theoretically should be cheaper. ..

interesting..... is this correct?

07-11-2009, 06:54 AM	#1
Blaze98 Active Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Bentonville, Arkansas Home Theater Gallery:63 4K collection:143 Blu-ray collection:376 Trading Score:70	Why is my PCM not as good as Dolby 5.1? I know there are threads about this and i searched and could not find the one i was looking for.... I have my ps3 set up with my home theater and i keep reading that PCM is better than dolby 5.1..... but on mine it is louder but not as good. the surround is very faint and is kind of boomy where as the 5.1 has great surround but is not as loud... im very confused i have audi set up on a optical cable. any help would be awesome!!

07-11-2009, 07:24 AM	#2
boredandlazy Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Perth, Australia 4K collection:615 Blu-ray collection:1948 DVD collection:48 Trading Score:5	I did a quick bit of research on your receiver and apparently it does not have HDMI inputs. So you must be using coax/optical digital cabling to your receiver. Using that sort of connection means you can only get 2 channel PCM sound, while you can get the full 5.1 Dolby Digital. Your receiver is probably doing some processing to spread the 2.0 to the rear speakers but it isn't true surround hence why DD sounds better. Personally I'd recommend sticking with the Dolby Digital(Setting your PS3 to bitsream) until you get a receiver with HDMI that can handle lossless surround sound. Last edited by boredandlazy; 07-11-2009 at 07:28 AM.

07-11-2009, 04:23 PM	#9
Blaze98 Active Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Bentonville, Arkansas Home Theater Gallery:63 4K collection:143 Blu-ray collection:376 Trading Score:70	Awesome! thanks guys thats why i love comeing to this forum, Every time i ever ask a question someone is willing to help. Yeah My Reciever that is listed isnt even the one that is hooked up right now. was moveing stuff around so i have a Yamaha reciever hooked up but it is not HMDI either. IM looking for a decent reciever that is HDMI and has True DOLBYHD and DTSHD that isnt $500. kinda on a budget untill we get another house. any suggestions? i have done alot of research but still cant find much, Best Buy and a few other places are still really high unless its on sale. i have looded on a few other forums, Just wondering what model/Brand i should lean twards... EDIT: Also will i be able to use PCM in all channels on HDMI and get the picture through a hdmi to DVI cable? i would have to run it from the ps3 to the reciever then from the reciever out to the tv with the hdmi/dvi cable correct? will i still get the better audio if it send the picture out to a dvi connection? Last edited by Blaze98; 07-11-2009 at 04:27 PM.

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07-11-2009, 07:41 AM	#3
red_5ive Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The 'state' of Southern California Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:367 Blu-ray collection:999 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	The manual for your AVR 320 says it only supports standard PCM which is stereo, so you're not getting discrete 5.1 audio which is why normal DD 5.1 sounds better. Also, the talk you hear about PCM being better refers to Linear PCM, or LPCM which is multi-channel and uncompressed. Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support it. You need HDMI capability in order to get LPCM. edit: Whoops, boredandlazy beat me to it. I had started typing that and stepped away for a bit before hitting submit. Should'a refreshed first.

07-11-2009, 05:06 PM	#10
devilfan9500 Active Member Member since:Jun 2009 Location:north carolina Home Theater Gallery:8 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:7	blaze I have the perfect reciever for you!!! I'm tight with the wallet too so after searching long and hard i found my reciever. PIONEER VSX 919 AH-K simply one of the best recievers. got mine from buy.com with shipping was about $350 one hell of a reciever check it out.

07-11-2009, 05:18 PM	#12
devilfan9500 Active Member Member since:Jun 2009 Location:north carolina Home Theater Gallery:8 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:7	john have you had the chance to check out the pioneer 919 that i suggested? I was originally going to go with the sony strdg820 that my father in law has but there was something i just didnt like about it luckily i found the pioneer its awsome even cnet said the auto cal is better than any they have seen and trust me it is. I dont know if i just got lucky but i got it for around $350 shipped

07-11-2009, 06:47 PM	#18
Blaze98 Active Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Bentonville, Arkansas Home Theater Gallery:63 4K collection:143 Blu-ray collection:376 Trading Score:70	It looks like an amazing receiver by the specs. its almost $175 cheaper on buy.com than it is at Best Buy... i like going to best buy to play with the units then go online and buy them... anyways.. i am thinking about this one now, i needs to sell mine first to get some more cash first.

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