Does PCM Sound Better Than Dolby THD On Your Setup?

[krinkle]

So I have noticed when directly comparing DTHD tracks to PCM on my Blu-rays that the PCM sounds slightly louder and clearer, while the DTHD sounds slightly muted in comparison.

My setup is a PS3 connected to a Yamaha RX-V2700. All the decoding for the DTHD tracks is done in the PS3.

The difference is small but seems noticeable to me.

Anyway just curious.

[Merlins]

PCM sounds better even if it's only 2.0 in my setup because I only have optical to my receiver.

Will buy a HDMI 1.3 receiver soon but I do not know which ones that are affordable good. Then I'll get 5.1, 6.1 or even 7.1 PCM sound which would be great.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by krinkle

So I have noticed when directly comparing DTHD tracks to PCM on my Blu-rays that the PCM sounds slightly louder and clearer, while the DTHD sounds slightly muted in comparison.

My setup is a PS3 connected to a Yamaha RX-V2700. All the decoding for the DTHD tracks is done in the PS3.

The difference is small but seems noticeable to me.

Anyway just curious.

A few reviewers (Chad from the Spot among them) have notived the same thing. It will be interesting to hear the first DTS-HD MA discs.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by HDJK

It will be interesting to hear the first DTS-HD MA discs.

I am very excited and can't wait to hear the difference if any.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by HDJK

It will be interesting to hear the first DTS-HD MA discs.

Of course I meant to say it will be interesting to finally hear a ll the DTS-HD MA discs

[Algernon]

My two cents :

Unless you got expensive speakers, decent amp, good cable AND a good room for listening, you won't notice anything beyond "normal" compressed DD 5.1 ...

I really don't care about the "extra" audio on BD ... all I want is the HD image

[stofferdk]

Originally Posted by Algernon

My two cents :

Unless you got expensive speakers, decent amp, good cable AND a good room for listening, you won't notice anything beyond "normal" compressed DD 5.1 ...

I really don't care about the "extra" audio on BD ... all I want is the HD image

freak

[dobyblue]

The TrueHD track on Spider-man 3 will sound better than the PCM track.


24/48 TrueHD vs. 16/48 PCM = TrueHD winner every time.

[Rup_Muk]

As of now, with the optical digital output, I have to say that uncompressed PCM sounds better on my setup. I guess I will have to upgrade to HDMI 1.3 in the near future.

Rup.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Algernon

My two cents :

Unless you got expensive speakers, decent amp, good cable AND a good room for listening, you won't notice anything beyond "normal" compressed DD 5.1 ...

I really don't care about the "extra" audio on BD ... all I want is the HD image

I strongly disagree with this statement as it was $259 JBL 5.1 satellites that first allowed me to hear how much better 24/48 DVD-Audio was over CD.

Now I have floorstanding Paradigm's as my fronts AND rears and DD 5.1 sounds better than DVD-A did on my JBL's and DVD-A now really kicks ass.

You do not need an expensive system to appreciate lossless audio and high resolution audio.

Enjoyment of ALL audio codecs on DVD and Blu-ray and CD/SACD/DVD-A is proportional to your system.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by krinkle

So I have noticed when directly comparing DTHD tracks to PCM on my Blu-rays that the PCM sounds slightly louder and clearer, while the DTHD sounds slightly muted in comparison.

My setup is a PS3 connected to a Yamaha RX-V2700. All the decoding for the DTHD tracks is done in the PS3.

The difference is small but seems noticeable to me.

Anyway just curious.

When I listened to the TrueHD track on 300, it was not better or even equal to PCM.

My setup = Lexicon pre/pro -> 2 x Parasound HCA2250 amps -> Paradigm Reference speakers.

I am looking forward to Spiderman 3 as it should have dialnorm turned off and be 24/48 vs 16/48 PCM.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by Algernon

My two cents :

Unless you got expensive speakers, decent amp, good cable AND a good room for listening, you won't notice anything beyond "normal" compressed DD 5.1 ...

I really don't care about the "extra" audio on BD ... all I want is the HD image

The thing is, most early-adopter Blu-Ray owners DO have all of this. You're in the minority here.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The TrueHD track on Spider-man 3 will sound better than the PCM track.


24/48 TrueHD vs. 16/48 PCM = TrueHD winner every time.

Not necesarily. If the source audio was only 16/48 PCM (which it probably is, as that was the standard up until recently, then the added headroom with 24/96 won't make much of a difference. It'll just add more depth to the noise floor of the track, and add in all the little imperfections of the disc mastering process.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Danno

Not necesarily. If the source audio was only 16/48 PCM (which it probably is, as that was the standard up until recently, then the added headroom with 24/96 won't make much of a difference. It'll just add more depth to the noise floor of the track, and add in all the little imperfections of the disc mastering process.

The source on Spider-man 2 and 3 is 24/48, which is why I made my comment.

The source for Spider-man 1 is 16/48.

24/48 has been the standard for a few years now.

[WickyWoo]

Unless you got expensive speakers, decent amp, good cable AND a good room for listening, you won't notice anything beyond "normal" compressed DD 5.1 ...

I had just watched the DVD, on a cheap-ass pair of headphones so I don't disturb people late at night right before I got Hellboy on Blu

The difference between the 2 was NIGHT AND DAY, and that was with a stereo downconvert on both, on a $10 pair of headphones

[Uxi]

Yeah and it's hard to pin down. At first it sounded like a simple level issue, but when I tried to compensate to match it still sounded... different.

Dialog Norm, maybe?

HDMI from PS3 to Denon AVR-4306.

[Sir Terrence]

This is pretty interesting topic. It is my understanding that DTHD is just a compression zipper for PCM audio, so the two should sound the same. But they don't. After listening to The Fifth Element over and over again comparing the PCM to DTHD at equal levels for each, I finally discovered what the difference is. While DTHD can create an identical overall soundfield to PCM, when objects move from channel to channel, especially front to back, DTHD doesn't "get out in the room" like PCM does. When a pan moves from left front to right rear, you can almost take a pencil and track the movement through the air with PCM. With DTHD it is sort of here, then there with no ability to track the pan. I really heard no audible benefit of encoding the DTHD at 24bit over PCM 16bit. However to these ears, there is an audible difference between 24bit PCM and 16bit.

[ClaytonMG]

With me it actually depends on the studio. With Ghost Rider and Fifth Element, it was harder to tell if PCM sounded better (or if TrueHD sounded better). But on WB titles, I have noticed quite the difference between TrueHD and PCM. I think PCM sounds more solid and powerful. Also I've noticed better bass response.

[GasCat]

I prefer PCM.

I like knowing it has not gone through compression. PCM uncompressed doesn't take away any sound but does take away from Dolby Lab's profits. Expect to hear from those who have heard their PR campaign and believed in it.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by krinkle

So I have noticed when directly comparing DTHD tracks to PCM on my Blu-rays that the PCM sounds slightly louder and clearer, while the DTHD sounds slightly muted in comparison.

My setup is a PS3 connected to a Yamaha RX-V2700. All the decoding for the DTHD tracks is done in the PS3.

The difference is small but seems noticeable to me.

Anyway just curious.

I have the Onkyo 805 with THX and HDMI connected. Sound is a subjective experience. Kind of like art. One will prefere the other over another, but what I have noticed is that PCM has greater clarity and volume especially in the surrounds. THX is still excellent, but I do find I personally favour PCM