PCM On Non-HD Receiver?

[Damage Inc.]

First off, before I looked more into the technical side of DVDs and BDs,
I didn't know as much about all the different types of audio-formats.
So when I got my first big media-amplifier I was of course able to see
what is on the source I put in the player.
Then I noticed that, as soon as I'd play a CD, the receiver would indicate it's PCM.

Now, I might already think the wrong thing about that.
But first of all, PCM on CDs is lossless right? Or am I already wrong there?
If so, would that mean that I could play the PCM-audio on BD
through my older receiver, even though it's not an HD-receiver, too?
Or is that yet another type of audio/PCM?

Or, I just thought of, it probably can't handle the surround-versions of PCM.
Actually, now I'm confused again, cause you also have audio-DVDs with surround-mixes.
Except, then I don't know if that's Dolby Digital or still PCM...

Confuzementationz...

So, please let me know, I'd like to know how it sticks together.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc.

First off, before I looked more into the technical side of DVDs and BDs,
I didn't know as much about all the different types of audio-formats.
So when I got my first big media-amplifier I was of course able to see
what is on the source I put in the player.
Then I noticed that, as soon as I'd play a CD, the receiver would indicate it's PCM.

Now, I might already think the wrong thing about that.
But first of all, PCM on CDs is lossless right? Or am I already wrong there?
If so, would that mean that I could play the PCM-audio on BD
through my older receiver, even though it's not an HD-receiver, too?
Or is that yet another type of audio/PCM?

Or, I just thought of, it probably can't handle the surround-versions of PCM.
Actually, now I'm confused again, cause you also have audio-DVDs with surround-mixes.
Except, then I don't know if that's Dolby Digital or still PCM...

Confuzementationz...

So, please let me know, I'd like to know how it sticks together.

Do you have a Blu-ray player with channel pre-outs on it? And do you have a receiver with multi-channel inputs??

[Damage Inc.]

I think that would be both a yes.
And I guess you're referring to connecting them that way?
I currently use the optical connection though...

[Big Daddy]

Yes, the PCM on CD is lossless. However, because of the increased capacity of DVD and Blu-ray discs, the PCM can be encoded at a much higher bit rate (better quality).

If your receiver has multi-channel analog inputs and your BD player has multi-channel analog outputs, you should be able to get lossless HD audio from BD.

You should read A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. It has a sticky in Audio Section.

[Damage Inc.]

That's cool.
So a receiver isn't really limited to a certain quality of audio?
And could I only do this with PCM or the Dolby and DTS ones too?

I guess I'll have to read the guide, which I will do.
Thanks for the link.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc.

That's cool.
So a receiver isn't really limited to a certain quality of audio?
And could I only do this with PCM or the Dolby and DTS ones too?

I guess I'll have to read the guide, which I will do.
Thanks for the link.

If you use analog cables, the BD player will decode Dolby and DTS tracks and convert them to analog. The only problem with analog is that Bass Management has to be done in the player and the bass output needs to be boosted another 10-15 dB. I posted the following in another thread. I will copy it for your information.

LAYPERSON’S GUIDE TO HD AUDIO

HDMI Connection to the Receiver, Player Set to LPCM

• Player reads the Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA signals from the disc.
• The player unpacks the TrueHD or DTS HD signals and converts them to LPCM (still digital).
• The player sends the LPCM signals to the receiver through the HDMI cable.
• The receiver converts the Digital LPCM signals to Analog signals (D/A chip required).
• The receiver sends the analog signals to the speakers.

HDMI Connection to the Receiver, Player Set to Bitstream (PS3 cannot do this for HD audio)

• Player reads the Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA signals from the disc.
• The player sends the raw unpacked signals to the receiver through the HDMI cable.
• The receiver unpacks the TrueHD or DTS HD signals.
• The receiver converts the Digital signals to Analog signal (D/A chip required).
• The receiver sends the analog signals to the speakers.

Multi-Channel Analog Connection to the Receiver, Player Set to Analog Output (see footnote)

• Player reads the Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA signals from the disc.
• The player unpacks the TrueHD or DTS HD signals and converts them to LPCM (still digital).
• The player converts the Digital signals to Analog signal (D/A chip required).
• The player sends the analog signals to the receiver through the RCA cables.
• The receiver receives the analog signals, amplifies them, and sends them to the speakers.

Which one is better? It all depends on the quality of the chips and circuits in the player and the receiver. The difference between PCM and bitsreaming is minimal. In most cases, the D/A chip may have more of an effect on sound quality.

Footnote:
When a disc player is connected to a receiver with multi-channel analog cables, the player must perform digital to analog decoding and send the analog signal to the receiver. In this case, calibration and bass management adjustments such as speaker sizes and channel levels should be done in the player's setup menus or the receiver must have bass management for the 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 ANALOG inputs. If the player lacks calibration adjustments or the receiver cannot perform adjustments for analog inputs, bass management cannot be performed.