Yamaha receiver - PS3 - bitstream vs l-pcm

[egon_spengler]

Hello everyone! I'm new here. I was recommended here by my brother. I've got a few queries regarding my new 5.1 setup. I'll try to give as much detail as I can.

I'm running:
32" Samsung LCD HDTV (don't know the model off hand)
Yamaha RX-V361 AVR
PS3 60gb @1080i (Video = HDMI, Audio = Optical Out)

Now, I've got my PS3 BD/DVD output through optical set to bitstream and I can watch DVDs and BDs in glorious DD5.1 or DTS5.1. (Note: My anp displays all 5.1 channels active and displays 'Dolby Digital' or DTS) When I watch a bluray (eg Casino Royale) DD5.1 is fine and select uncompressed pcm the sound quality dips dramatically.

If I set the PS3 BD/DVD output to L-PCM and run a bluray it sounds fine and all channels are making some kind of noise. Selecting uncompressed now causes a leap forward into stunning quality sound. Great! However, my amp no longer displays 'Dolby Digital' just Pro Logic II and shows only the L&R channels. It does say 'PCM' on the display and all channels are making sound, however I have not noticed whether it is accurate 5.1 positioning.

Still in L-PCM mode - When trying the THX optimiser on the Terminator 2 BD the L, C & R channels sound okay, but the SL and SR speakers sound together when SR is highlighted on screen and the SL and R speakers sound for the SL channel is highlighted on the screen. The subwoofer does not sound at all. DVDs (despite selecting DD or DTS) are all detected as PLII movie. Switching back to bitstream allows all channels to sound correctly, but uncompressed audio (where available) sounds poor.

Whats happening? Is it the PS3 at fault or the amp? I want to put in a BD/DVD and hear 5.1 perfect and I want my amp to detect the selected output correctly. I also want to be able to use uncompressed audio where I can, but without having to switch PS3 output modes, and I would expect my amp to detect the 5.1 mode, not PLII.

Sorry if I've confused you all, I'm confused myself. A mate said the PS3 can only output L-PCM in 5.1 through a HDMI. Is this correct? I'm in the dark!

Thank you
Matt

[ILLSQUAD2G]

Hello Youre issue is that PCM UNCOMPRESSED AUDIO can only be sent as 2 channel through optical out . To get Multichannel PCM you have to send it out HDMI audio. As for BITSTREAM OR LPCM Bitsream is sent out for the receiver to decode and LPCM is decoded by the player (PS3) So to get the MULTICHANNEL PCM IT MUST BE SENT OUT HDMI Bitsream or LPCM doesnt really matter unless your receiver cant decode it then use LPCM and the PS3 will decode it internally. Hope this helps you solve your problem

[clyon]

Two ways to get PCM 5.1

HDMI through a receiver with the player set to PCM

Or

5.1 analongs out on the player

Ps3 does not have 5.1 analongs out, so that is out

your just getting 2.0 pcm & that is all your going to get with that set up, when it comes to PCM.

You can get a diffrent player that has 5.1 analogs out or a new receiver that has HDMI that carries PCM (If it say 'passthrough' don't get it, it is a waste of money & you do Not get audio) & 1080p

The yamaha RX-Z11, RX-V3800, RX-V2700, RX-V1800, RX-V1700 & RX-V661 will all do the trick via hdmi.

[egon_spengler]

WOW! Thank you so much for your help. Your answer has explained why it doesn't work and has saved me hours of searching through all the menus trying to make it work.

My AVR doesn't have a HDMI input (wasn't in my budget) so I can't play uncompressed it 5.1! Bummer! But I can, listen to it in stereo/PLII which is alright I guess.

I've found a lot of films don't utilise the rear speakers to the extent they could, and usually feature feint babbling brooks or people murmuring in a restaurant.

To be honest I'm not really an audiophile so I'm happy just to have 5.1! I'll stick to bitstream setting and standard 5.1 soundtracks through optical.

Thank you so much for answering my question!

[powersfoss]

I have the Sony STR-K900 receiver. It's a budget system that only does HDMI pass-through forcing me to use the optical connection from my PS3 and limiting me to DD+ and DTS. My question is, what is the most entry-level Sony receiver that I could buy that'll do audio through HDMI so I can finally hear 5.1 lossless PCM?

Hoping I can just swap out the receiver and leave everything else in place--the 5 speakers and 1 bass. Would it be as easy as just purchasing a new receiver and swapping out the old one?

[D1-2005]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by powersfoss

I have the Sony STR-K900 receiver. It's a budget system that only does HDMI pass-through forcing me to use the optical connection from my PS3 and limiting me to DD+ and DTS. My question is, what is the most entry-level Sony receiver that I could buy that'll do audio through HDMI so I can finally hear 5.1 lossless PCM?

Hoping I can just swap out the receiver and leave everything else in place--the 5 speakers and 1 bass. Would it be as easy as just purchasing a new receiver and swapping out the old one?[/QUOT

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665061595

Here you go

[powersfoss]

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665061595

Here you go

Hmm. My model STR-K900 actually came in the HT-DDW900 home theater package. Since this is a 900W package (140W x 5 and 200W bass), would the STR-DG710 adequately power the speakers? It says its only has 630W of total power. Plus its 6.1 and I've got everything in place with the 5.1 and really don't want to rewiring and moving speakers around if this means I'd have to add another speaker to the setup. That is such a pain to layout and try to make look nice.

I'm a newb when it comes to surround sound. Thanks for the help.