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View Poll Results: Should TrueHD decode over PCM automatically?
YES! The PS3 should prioritize TrueHD and decode it via PCM 117 94.35%
NO! Dolby Digital 5.1 bitstreaming should be the priority over TrueHD tracks. 7 5.65%
Voters: 124. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 02-22-2008, 11:48 PM   #1
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Default Should the PS3 automatically decode TrueHD to PCM?

Mods.. feel free to sticky, delete, or move if I didn't set this up correctly..

This poll is paidgeek's request from this thread:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=524

TrueHD decoding with bitstream enabled -- old and new PS3 firmware preferences.

On older PS3 firmware if you had "Dolby Digital 5.1" selected in the PS3 audio options along with bitstreaming, the PS3 would automatically switch to internal decoding for TrueHD selected tracks and pass it via PCM when using HDMI. For those titles with Dolby Digital 5.1 (including DVD) it would bitstream Dolby Digital 5.1+ to the receiver as normal. This was done without any PS3 configuration changes, as the PS3 was smart enough prioritize TrueHD decoding over Dolby Digital 5.1 core's when using Blu Ray.

A recent firmware update changed this priority and ignores TrueHD selected tracks when using bitstreaming. Now if Dolby Digital 5.1 is selected in the PS3 audio menu along with bitstreaming, the PS3 will bitstream the core of the TrueHD track as Dolby Digital 5.1 lossy instead. This can be clearly seen by using the bitrate meter during playback. For an example, use any TrueHD Blu Ray and select "Dolby Digital 5.1" in the audio menu with bitstreaming enabled. My own personal example is Across the Universe as it shows Dolby Digital @448kbps and does not decode TrueHD when DD5.1 is selected in the audio configuration.

To get TrueHD to decode and pass via HDMI with bitstreaming enabled, you first have to go into the PS3 configuration settings and uncheck Dolby Digital 5.1 from the PS3 audio menu before you playback a Blu Ray movie with it. This will then decode TrueHD and pass it via PCM. Unfortunately this also impacts Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks as well. Instead of bitstreaming true "Dolby Digital 5.1" tracks on DVD and Blu Ray, it will internally decode and pass it via PCM as well. This causes issues for DVD's or Blu-Rays with 6.1 mixes, as bitstreaming is the only option to listen to these tracks correctly.

It is an all or nothing approach when Dolby Digital for Dolby Digital AND TrueHD when selected or not in the PS3 audio menu with bitstreaming enabled.

This is a major hindrance for owners of PS3 that do not want to make changes to audio configuration's based on audio codec/disc format while keeping bitstreaming for legacy Dolby Digital 5.1+ (especially 6.1) to their receiver.

Imagine putting in a Blu Ray with TrueHD, selecting the track, and to your horror realize that it is passing Dolby Digital 5.1 lossy instead of lossless. Or having to change to continually switch back and forth between Linear PCM and bitstreaming for legacy tracks and lossless.

I would also assume that DTS HD (when available) will act the same way as TrueHD now does.

Last edited by jason_grumpy; 02-23-2008 at 07:27 AM. Reason: Edit: A little bit of clarification.
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Old 02-23-2008, 12:44 AM   #2
saprano saprano is online now
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but you can just change between bitstream and lpcm on the ps3 from the menu wile waching a movie.
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Old 02-23-2008, 12:46 AM   #3
saprano saprano is online now
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oh forget it, i read it again and you ment you want it to do that automaticaly. yea i agree.
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Old 02-23-2008, 12:50 AM   #4
saprano saprano is online now
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but i never have to uncheck anything? dolby 5.1 has always been checked. like i said you can changed from bitstream wile waching the movie.
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Old 02-23-2008, 01:03 AM   #5
Slec Slec is offline
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I'm not sure I understand the issue you are referring to. I have everything checked in the audio menu and popped in Across the Universe. It played the TrueHD track without me selecting it in the menu and the bit rate was at 3.0Mbps during the intro.... What am I missing?
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Old 02-23-2008, 04:53 AM   #6
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Ok, since there was confusion about what I exactly meant here's a photo visualization of it.

1.) Here is the firmware I'm currently running. If you have an older version of firmware, this MIGHT not apply to you.


2.) Here is the settings that 'break' TrueHD decoding when bitstreaming output is selected. Note, if you use Automatic settings or defaults out of the box for output more than like this is what you are running.

BD/DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) setting as Bitstream


This picture is selecting "Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch" in the manual audio menu..


Confirmation that Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch is set in the audio menu.


3.) This is playing "Across the Universe" a title that has ONLY TrueHD. I selected this title as it's impossible to accidently select a track other than TrueHD (since their is no other track). Notice the Dolby Digital @ 448kbps?


4.) Here's a picture of my receiver proving TrueHD is not being decoded, and instead is being bitstreamed as Dolby Digital 5.1 core from the TrueHD. It is not lossless at this time. It simply the Dolby 5.1 core of the TrueHD bitstreamed @ 448kpbs to my receiver.


5.) Here's a picture of the settings that forces the PS3 to decode TrueHD. Notice Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch is NOT selected this time.


Here's the confirmation.


5.) Back inside Across the Universe, we see TrueHD being decoded and lossless audio is being sent to the reciever.


6.) Confirmation that it's being sent decoded in TrueHD as PCM to my receiver.


In prior firmware versions the PS3 would automatically decode TrueHD to PCM regardless of the Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch and bitstream selection in the PS3 audio menu's. For DVD's or Blu-Rays that only have legacy Dolby Digital 5.1, it would send it as bitstream if Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch was selected. No changes in audio preferences in the PS3 had to be made to switch between TrueHD decode to lossless or bitstream 5.1/DTS legacy. The YES vote is to change it back to this way. This is the best approach in my humble opinion as the PS3 cannot bitstream TrueHD and avoids potential problems with 6.1 legacy mixes.

In this version of firmware, Dolby Digital 5.1 is sent bitstream even if TrueHD is selected on the Blu-Ray. Only when you set the PS3 audio options stating your receiver cannot decode Dolby Digital 5.1 at all will it decode TrueHD properly and send it as PCM. This is the all or nothing approach I spoke of, as even Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks are decoded via the PS3 and sent as PCM to the receiver. This is a sub optimal approach for many and requires constant changing around audio preferences when using DVD's/Blu-Rays with Dolby Digital 5.1 only tracks. A switch from bitstreaming to LPCM is required for 6.1 tracks to playback correctly as well. For Blu-Ray's that use TrueHD we have to change audio options again. The NO vote would be to keep this problem the same.

I want my receiver to decode legacy Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS tracks using bitstream. Since my receiver cannot decode TrueHD or DTS HD bitstreamed, these should be automatically decoded (When the PS3 Gets DTS HD) on the PS3 and sent as PCM. Ie, the PS3 is smart enough to determine when a audio codec should be bitstreamed -- and when it should be decoded and sent as PCM.

Last edited by jason_grumpy; 02-24-2008 at 05:45 PM.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:06 AM   #7
Musashi Musashi is offline
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I, who just recently got the equipment for lossless audio find this most interesting.

Just be to clear: if the PS3 display says "Dolby TrueHD" or "Linear PCM", and my receiver says PCM for both, and I'm hearing sound from all 5 speakers, that means I'm set up right?

I used Spider Man 3 to run my audio tests since it has both.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:09 AM   #8
Ascended_Saiyan Ascended_Saiyan is offline
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I take it you didn't let the PS3 autoconfig. the audio, right? If you didn't, how many of the LPCM options did you select in the audio menu? Did you select all of them? I can only see th 2 channel LPCM options selected from those pics.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:09 AM   #9
kingofgrills kingofgrills is offline
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Do you have your audio settings on Bitstream or PCM when you're doing this?

You never showed that setting.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:13 AM   #10
UltimateFighter UltimateFighter is offline
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Do you have the audio output set to bitstream or PCM?

If it's set to bitstream it'll bitstream out the DD5.1 instead of the TrueHD cuz the PS3 can't bitstream TrueHD. If you set it to PCM, it'll auto decode the TrueHD track to PCM.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:18 AM   #11
Ascended_Saiyan Ascended_Saiyan is offline
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Wait...I think I know what you want now.

You want to bitstream and decode internally...automatically, right? In other words, you want the PS3 to bitstream all DD tracks to your receiver, but you automatically want the PS3 to recognize and internally decode the TrueHD tracks (and send it to your receiver as an LPCM signal), right?

You only have the option to select bitstream or not and you want both, right? If so, I don't know what to tell you besides adjust.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:25 AM   #12
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan View Post
You only have the option to select bitstream or not and you want both, right? If so, I don't know what to tell you besides adjust.
Exactly Ascended. This poll is to change it back to the way it was prior without having to adjust. Paidgeek asked for a poll so he can prove to the PS3 guys that it's worth the change back and is our request. This is our chance to speak out and have this changed.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:26 AM   #13
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Musashi View Post
I, who just recently got the equipment for lossless audio find this most interesting.

Just be to clear: if the PS3 display says "Dolby TrueHD" or "Linear PCM", and my receiver says PCM for both, and I'm hearing sound from all 5 speakers, that means I'm set up right?

I used Spider Man 3 to run my audio tests since it has both.
Yes. If the PS3 Bitmeter says "Dolby TrueHD" when you select a Dolby TrueHD track and your receiver says PCM you're setup correctly and running lossless. What firmware are your running as the problem I'm talking about started with the firmware near the 5th Element re-release.

If you have 2.10, you'll run into the same problem with DD5.1/TrueHD if you select bitstream in the audio menu and Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch.

You either have older firmware
OR
You either have Bitstream on and Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch unchecked
OR
You have Linear PCM selected for your output, in this case the PS3 decodes everything to PCM. See issues later in this thread about 6.1 mixes not decoding correctly with the PS3 and this method.

Last edited by jason_grumpy; 02-23-2008 at 06:38 AM.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:27 AM   #14
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan View Post
I take it you didn't let the PS3 autoconfig. the audio, right? If you didn't, how many of the LPCM options did you select in the audio menu? Did you select all of them? I can only see th 2 channel LPCM options selected from those pics.
All LPCM options. I cropped that as to not confuse the issue. Lossless works just fine (see my post above about the adjustments in which you nailed it).
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:31 AM   #15
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingofgrills View Post
Do you have your audio settings on Bitstream or PCM when you're doing this?

You never showed that setting.
Hi King.

It's set on bitstream in my case. I want my receiver to decode legacy DD5.1/DTS and not the PS3. If you set the PS3 to PCM, it will decode everything (DTS/TrueHD/Dolby 5.1) internally and send it as PCM. If you set the output as bitstream Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS will bitstream just fine, and PCM will also play just fine when needed (it automatically switches). This issue has to do with the PS3 treating TrueHD as DD5.1 instead of decoding it when bitstream is selected.

Last edited by jason_grumpy; 02-23-2008 at 05:41 AM.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:39 AM   #16
Ascended_Saiyan Ascended_Saiyan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_grumpy View Post
Exactly Ascended. This poll is to change it back to the way it was prior without having to adjust. Paidgeek asked for a poll so he can prove to the PS3 guys that it's worth the change back and is our request. This is our chance to speak out and have this changed.
Well, hell, who am I to keep an extra option from coming to the PS3? ...unless it keeps something better from being applied in the future. There is only so much space they have to play with, when it comes to firmware revisions.

Let's put it this way... If it stops them from improving the upconvertion (the engineers said they could improve that by 30% or so), I say hell no.

If it stops them from providing DTS-HD MA internal decoding, I say HELL no.

If it stops them from providing profile 2.0 capabilities, I say hell no.

If it stops....well I think you get the point.

I apologize, but I would put that request at the bottom of the list of useful things that could be done with future firmware updates. I hope you understand.

Last edited by Ascended_Saiyan; 02-23-2008 at 05:41 AM.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:44 AM   #17
jason_grumpy jason_grumpy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan View Post
I apologize, but I would put that request at the bottom of the list of useful things that could be done with future firmware updates. I hope you understand.
No problem Saiyan. Considering that the PS3 USED to do bitstream/truehd/pcm appropriately, this is merely a request to change it back to what it did before. I doubt it has anything to do with blocking DVD upconversion or profile 2.0. It's more of internal routines on how to treat 1 (and possibly DTS too).

Hell, even an option that says:

Decode TrueHD as PCM
Decode DTS as PCM

Along with the current audio options would be just dandy for me.

Last edited by jason_grumpy; 02-23-2008 at 06:38 AM.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:46 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jason_grumpy View Post
Hi King.

It's set on bitstream in my case. I want my receiver to decode legacy DD5.1/DTS and not the PS3. If you set the PS3 to PCM, it will decode everything (DTS/TrueHD/Dolby 5.1) internally and send it as PCM. If you set the output as bitstream Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS will bitstream just fine, and PCM will also play just fine when needed (it automatically switches). This issue has to do with the PS3 treating TrueHD as DD5.1 instead of decoding it when bitstream is selected.

I'm just curious. What is the advantage in bitstreaming the lossy signals vs letting the PS3 decode them?
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:46 AM   #19
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my setttings are
dolby 5.1
dts 5.1
pcm2.1 44khz
pcm2.1 48khz
pcm5.1 44khz
pcm5.1 48khz and i have no problem changing it to bitstream or LPCM wile waching a movie, all i do is press the triangle button toggle trough the audio settings and change it. and why do you have 176 khz selected? thers no reson to have that on as thers no movie that runs that high. i never got why people checked everything in the ps3 sound menue, you should only check what your recevier can do.
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Old 02-23-2008, 05:47 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foots View Post
I'm just curious. What is the advantage in bitstreaming the lossy signals vs letting the PS3 decode them?
thats subjective
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