What is the difference between pcm5.1 and dolbytruehd

[dmhpro]

Hi everyone:
I need help understanding the difference between pcm5.1 and dolbyTrueHd. I put Spiderman3 in last night and saw both options under the Audio Tab. What is the difference in laymans terms? I have a PS3 with the latestfirmware update, and a Yamaha HTR6090 receiver.

Thanks for any insight, you guys on here are much more valuable then the used car salesmen at CC and BB.

[bajor27]

as far as I know, the only difference is the storage space required. Both are losseless audio formats (which I beleive means you don't loose any of the high or low ends).

I'm surprised to hear of a title having both. Seems kinda pointless to me

[BStecke]

PCM is totally uncompressed, which is why its file size is so large.

TrueHD and DTS HDMA are compressed, but they're lossless, so in theory they should sound exactly the same as the PCM track. Some people can hear slight differences, others cannot. My personal opinion is that if there is a PCM track, use it above all else.

[ryoohki]

The advantage is that you can always use 24bits and eat about 3.5mbits Avg vs 6.9 in PCM. Both sound the same (on the same BitPlane) once leveled up (TrueHD is a couple of DB Lower generally)

[Gamma_Winstead]

now in spider-man three the difference is that while both sound amazing the Dolby trueHD is slightly quieter and a little muffled. On superbad the two are indistinguishable.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by BStecke

PCM is totally uncompressed, which is why its file size is so large.

TrueHD and DTS HDMA are compressed, but they're lossless, so in theory they should sound exactly the same as the PCM track. Some people can hear slight differences, others cannot. My personal opinion is that if there is a PCM track, use it above all else.

Running LPCM 5.1 @ 6912Kbps via my PC audio card outs to my receiver's Multi channel analog input!!!! Verified!

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Good to know! I've yet to upgrade to HD audio, but it's nice to understand what people are talking about ...and to get tips for when I finally take the plunge!

[crackinhedz]

good info: High-Def FAQ: Uncompressed vs. Lossless Audio


In a nutshell, everything is PCM.

Dolby TrueHD and Dts-HD MA are compression techniques used to save space without losing any quality.

[krazeyeyez]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

good info: High-Def FAQ: Uncompressed vs. Lossless Audio


In a nutshell, everything is PCM.

Dolby TrueHD and Dts-HD MA are compression techniques used to save space without losing any quality.

my god, been on this site since early december, asked about these before, and finally an explanation that doesn't loose me with the math and tech lingo, good looking man.