Linear PCM vs Bitstream - Blu-ray Forum

NovaBomb · 01-29-2007, 11:27 PM

For additional information on Bitstreaming versus PCM, check post #1 of A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. There is also important information on Bitstreaming in Post #167 of that thread.

*************************************

The PS3 gives you two options for BD audio output. Bitstream or Liner PCM, whats the difference and which it better?

Darth-Blu · 01-29-2007, 11:34 PM

Depends. I have it on "Bitstream" because I'm using an optical connection. I can get my Doly & DTS tracks doing that. It doesn't give you the lossless PCM in surround though. PCM on my PS3 is only in 2 channel stereo. I think the PCM setting is for HDMI? I can't really say from experience though.

Can anyone correct me on this? Or am I on the right track?

Hope this helps ................

NovaBomb · 01-29-2007, 11:43 PM

ok, I'm using HDMI for sound, or should I be using optical?

Darth-Blu · 01-29-2007, 11:55 PM

HDMI definitely.

PeterTHX · 01-30-2007, 12:10 AM

Use HDMI, set both to "bitstream"

theknub · 01-30-2007, 12:10 AM

hdmi and set to pcm

theknub · 01-30-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Use HDMI, set both to "bitstream"

the receiver wont be able to recognize the advanced codecs and he won't be able to transmit pcm soundtracks? or am i wrong? setting it to pcm the player will decode the advanced codecs and will send the uncompressed pcm as well. no?

dobyblue · 01-30-2007, 01:07 PM

Bitstream is fine for PCM, but you'll need to set it to PCM to get TrueHD like on the upcoming NIN release.

PCM - Player decodes
Bitstream - Receiver decodes

That's the long and the short of it.

NovaBomb · 01-30-2007, 01:39 PM

So theres really no diff. in the end your geting the same sound quality. Is that what your saying?

theknub · 01-30-2007, 03:13 PM

not really, it depends on the capabilities of your receiver. if it can't decode the new codecs (hdmi 1.3) or isn't hdmi (can't take in multichannel pcm) it will only play the core of the new codecs.

NovaBomb · 01-30-2007, 04:02 PM

ok, so untill I upgrade my receiver to a 1.3 HDMI, I should leave my sound settings to Liner PCM, thanks

Amon37 · 01-30-2007, 04:26 PM

I'm using optical out to my receiver so I have it set to bitstream.

theknub · 01-30-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaBomb

ok, so untill I upgrade my receiver to a 1.3 HDMI, I should leave my sound settings to Liner PCM, thanks

only as long as it is hooked up via hdmi. if optical, then bitstream.

JohnnyBluRay · 02-06-2007, 08:59 PM

If i have it hooked thru optical and set the PS3 to Pcm instead of Bitstream, i think the audio will only be 2-channel but i can set it to Pro-logic. Have you guys notice a difference in doing this?

kurt vidal · 02-06-2007, 11:25 PM

u can set your rcvr to pro-logic, however, u will still only be getting 2 channel out to your speakers (at least on my rcvr pioneer elite vx24tx).

tmgrich · 02-07-2007, 12:26 AM

Linear PCM is the best and only the HDMI cable has the bandwidth to handle 5.1. If you are using an optical cable, you can only get two channels in PCM. So if your receiver has an hdmi input than use the uncompressed pcm otherwise use the bitstream.

JohnnyBluRay · 02-07-2007, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt vidal

u can set your rcvr to pro-logic, however, u will still only be getting 2 channel out to your speakers (at least on my rcvr pioneer elite vx24tx).

But with better sound,just a little, right?

tmgrich · 02-07-2007, 02:43 AM

On most receivers (mine is a yamaha) if you set the output to pcm with an optical cable, the receiver will only recognize two channels and not the 5.1 which you want. If you set it to pro-logic with just the stereo channels your receiver is just "faking" the 5.1. In end you want to do what sounds best to your ears. So if you think it sounds better with the PCM than use that.

neckedness · 10-04-2007, 04:58 PM

I'm new to this. I just got the Onkyo TX-SR605. I been playing with the PS3's Blu-ray settings and notice if it's set to Bitstream and blu-ray disc soundtrack set to Dolby Digital 5.1 sounds amazing and can see the dolby digital sign lit on the receiver. But the PCM uncompressed soundtrack isn't as good.

If I set to Linear PCM, and the movie soundtrack to Dolby Digital 5.1, the sound is low and not so good. But the PCM uncompressed soundtrack sounds louder and better than the DD5.1. Though it still doesn't sound amazing if set on bitstream and DD5.1.

I thought PCM uncompressed suppose to sound amazing and better than DD5.1. The movie I tried were Talledega Nights and Stealth.

Can someone explain?

Luis_A51 · 10-04-2007, 05:05 PM

When you set your PS3 to bitstream, it will send DD5.1 as bitstream but it will limit PCM to 2.0 channels.

If you set your PS3 to PCM, it will internally decode everything and send it as pcm. It will send PCM in its original form, either 5.1 or 7.1

With that in mind, there is no reason why you should set you PS3 to bitstream.

10-04-2007, 04:58 PM	#19
neckedness Active Member Member since:Sep 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 2	Ps3 Bitstream Or Linear Pcm I'm new to this. I just got the Onkyo TX-SR605. I been playing with the PS3's Blu-ray settings and notice if it's set to Bitstream and blu-ray disc soundtrack set to Dolby Digital 5.1 sounds amazing and can see the dolby digital sign lit on the receiver. But the PCM uncompressed soundtrack isn't as good. If I set to Linear PCM, and the movie soundtrack to Dolby Digital 5.1, the sound is low and not so good. But the PCM uncompressed soundtrack sounds louder and better than the DD5.1. Though it still doesn't sound amazing if set on bitstream and DD5.1. I thought PCM uncompressed suppose to sound amazing and better than DD5.1. The movie I tried were Talledega Nights and Stealth. Can someone explain?

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01-29-2007, 11:27 PM	#1
NovaBomb Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:48	BitStream or Linear PCM For additional information on Bitstreaming versus PCM, check post #1 of A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. There is also important information on Bitstreaming in Post #167 of that thread. ************************************* The PS3 gives you two options for BD audio output. Bitstream or Liner PCM, whats the difference and which it better? Last edited by Big Daddy; 12-03-2010 at 04:16 AM.

01-29-2007, 11:34 PM	#2
Darth-Blu Member Member since:Jan 2007	Depends. I have it on "Bitstream" because I'm using an optical connection. I can get my Doly & DTS tracks doing that. It doesn't give you the lossless PCM in surround though. PCM on my PS3 is only in 2 channel stereo. I think the PCM setting is for HDMI? I can't really say from experience though. Can anyone correct me on this? Or am I on the right track? Hope this helps ................

01-29-2007, 11:43 PM	#3
NovaBomb Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:48	ok, I'm using HDMI for sound, or should I be using optical?

01-29-2007, 11:55 PM	#4
Darth-Blu Member Member since:Jan 2007	HDMI definitely.

01-30-2007, 12:10 AM	#5
PeterTHX Banned Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Blu-ray collection:563 Trading Score:14	Use HDMI, set both to "bitstream"

01-30-2007, 12:10 AM	#6
theknub Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2006	hdmi and set to pcm

01-30-2007, 01:07 PM	#8
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	Bitstream is fine for PCM, but you'll need to set it to PCM to get TrueHD like on the upcoming NIN release. PCM - Player decodes Bitstream - Receiver decodes That's the long and the short of it.

01-30-2007, 01:39 PM	#9
NovaBomb Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:48	So theres really no diff. in the end your geting the same sound quality. Is that what your saying?

01-30-2007, 03:13 PM	#10
theknub Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2006	not really, it depends on the capabilities of your receiver. if it can't decode the new codecs (hdmi 1.3) or isn't hdmi (can't take in multichannel pcm) it will only play the core of the new codecs.

01-30-2007, 04:02 PM	#11
NovaBomb Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:48	ok, so untill I upgrade my receiver to a 1.3 HDMI, I should leave my sound settings to Liner PCM, thanks

01-30-2007, 04:26 PM	#12
Amon37 Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:USA,Arizona PSNetwork: Amon37	I'm using optical out to my receiver so I have it set to bitstream.

02-06-2007, 08:59 PM	#14
JohnnyBluRay Active Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Sunny Southern California	If i have it hooked thru optical and set the PS3 to Pcm instead of Bitstream, i think the audio will only be 2-channel but i can set it to Pro-logic. Have you guys notice a difference in doing this?

02-06-2007, 11:25 PM	#15
kurt vidal Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:South Lyon, MI	u can set your rcvr to pro-logic, however, u will still only be getting 2 channel out to your speakers (at least on my rcvr pioneer elite vx24tx).

02-07-2007, 12:26 AM	#16
tmgrich Junior Member Member since:Jan 2007	Linear PCM is the best and only the HDMI cable has the bandwidth to handle 5.1. If you are using an optical cable, you can only get two channels in PCM. So if your receiver has an hdmi input than use the uncompressed pcm otherwise use the bitstream.

02-07-2007, 02:43 AM	#18
tmgrich Junior Member Member since:Jan 2007	On most receivers (mine is a yamaha) if you set the output to pcm with an optical cable, the receiver will only recognize two channels and not the 5.1 which you want. If you set it to pro-logic with just the stereo channels your receiver is just "faking" the 5.1. In end you want to do what sounds best to your ears. So if you think it sounds better with the PCM than use that.

10-04-2007, 05:05 PM	#20
Luis_A51 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Calgary, AB Blu-ray reviews:4	When you set your PS3 to bitstream, it will send DD5.1 as bitstream but it will limit PCM to 2.0 channels. If you set your PS3 to PCM, it will internally decode everything and send it as pcm. It will send PCM in its original form, either 5.1 or 7.1 With that in mind, there is no reason why you should set you PS3 to bitstream.

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