Question about DTS-HD

[volcomsocal]

I have an older Sony HTiB that I've been using as my surround sound setup that's connected to my 80 GB PS3. The HTiB is about 6 years old, so it doesn't have an hdmi jack but it does have an optical jack. So obviously I run the optical from the Sony receiver to my PS3. When watching blu-ray movies, I can choose an audio setup to listen to. Thing is, blu-ray movies offer DTS-HD, but not DTS. My Sony HTiB can't decode DTS-HD because it wasn't even around back when it was made... it can decode DTS though. So when I pop in a blu-ray, and I choose DTS-HD, what am I getting through my speakers? Should I choose 5.1 uncompressed instead, or am I wasting my time with either one? I really appreciate any helpful feedback.

And FYI - I'm not in the market to purchase an expensive surround sound system just so I can get the best audio possible (high-def audio). My Sony HTiB works just fine, and to be honest, it sounds damn good for what I paid.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

I have an older Sony HTiB that I've been using as my surround sound setup that's connected to my 80 GB PS3. The HTiB is about 6 years old, so it doesn't have an hdmi jack but it does have an optical jack. So obviously I run the optical from the Sony receiver to my PS3. When watching blu-ray movies, I can choose an audio setup to listen to. Thing is, blu-ray movies offer DTS-HD, but not DTS. My Sony HTiB can't decode DTS-HD because it wasn't even around back when it was made... it can decode DTS though. So when I pop in a blu-ray, and I choose DTS-HD, what am I getting through my speakers? Should I choose 5.1 uncompressed instead, or am I wasting my time with either one? I really appreciate any helpful feedback.

And FYI - I'm not in the market to purchase an expensive surround sound system just so I can get the best audio possible (high-def audio). My Sony HTiB works just fine, and to be honest, it sounds damn good for what I paid.

The older DTS surround codec is imbedded in the DTS-HD MA. You will get DTS Digital Surround.

[volcomsocal]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The older DTS surround codec is imbedded in the DTS-HD MA. You will get DTS Digital Surround.

Excellent. Thanks for the quick response. But what is better, DTS or uncompressed?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

Excellent. Thanks for the quick response. But what is better, DTS or uncompressed?

Audio is in analog. They convert analog audio to digital PCM. PCM is uncompressed. DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD are compressed and lossless version of PCM and their quality is as good as the uncompressed version. They are compressed to save disc space like zipped computer files.

The older DTS Digital and Dolby Digital are compreesed, but they are lossy in the sense that some of the information that is redundant or hard to hear is dropped. On blu-ray movies, DTS and Dolby Digital are recorded at a higher bit rate than DVD movies and have better quality than DVD's.

Obviously, lossless is better. Can you tell the difference? It depends on the quality of your audio equipment and the source, the sensitivity of your ears, and the room acoustics.

[volcomsocal]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Audio is in analog. They convert analog audio to digital PCM. PCM is uncompressed. DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD are compressed and lossless version of PCM and their quality is as good as the uncompressed version. They are compressed to save disc space like zipped computer files.

The older DTS Digital and Dolby Digital are compreesed, but they are lossy in the sense that some of the information that is redundant or hard to hear is dropped. On blu-ray movies, DTS and Dolby Digital are recorded at a higher bit rate than DVD movies and have better quality than DVD's.

Obviously, lossless is better. Can you tell the difference? It depends on the quality of your audio equipment and the source, the sensitivity of your ears, and the room acoustics.

My HTiB setup is in a bedroom, nothing fancy. But in the past, when I played dvd's with this audio setup, if I had the option of DTS over the standard 5.1 Dolby Digital, I went with DTS because it sounded MUCH better. But now that I'm dealing with blu-ray's, I'm dealing with high-def audio choices that I'm not 100% familiar with. And from what I've seen with my blu-ray collection, there just seems to be a choice of DTS-HD MA or uncompressed. My ears haven't listened to either one long enough to be able to differentiate the 2. So that's why I was asking which one was better, especially because of the limitations of my receiver. I'm a novice when it comes to high-def audio. Thanks for your help.

[Rebeccachu Clark]

....Dolby TrueHD Supports 7.1 sound, too.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by volcomsocal

My HTiB setup is in a bedroom, nothing fancy. But in the past, when I played dvd's with this audio setup, if I had the option of DTS over the standard 5.1 Dolby Digital, I went with DTS because it sounded MUCH better. But now that I'm dealing with blu-ray's, I'm dealing with high-def audio choices that I'm not 100% familiar with. And from what I've seen with my blu-ray collection, there just seems to be a choice of DTS-HD MA or uncompressed. My ears haven't listened to either one long enough to be able to differentiate the 2. So that's why I was asking which one was better, especially because of the limitations of my receiver. I'm a novice when it comes to high-def audio. Thanks for your help.

Read A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. It will help you understand the HD audio better.