surround sound with blu-ray players? - Blu-ray Forum

dipset420 · 01-14-2007, 09:33 PM

im trying to figure out wich blu-ray player to buy out of the current samsung the one coming out in march and the ps3. and i thiknk i read somewhere that the ps3 doesent have surround sound so can you clear that up for me on wich players do and dont.
also whats firmware and how do you update your player with this??

goodstuff · 01-15-2007, 12:27 AM

Every Blu-Ray player will output surround sound. Depends on what you're connecting it that puts out the sound. Dolby Digital & DTS surround can be output from every Blu-Ray player through it's coaxial, optical, HDMI or 5.1/7.1 analog outs. Advanced audio tracks like DTS-HD, TrueHD and also PCM uncompressed need either the HDMI or analog outs and a receiver with the same inputs. The PS3 does not have the analog outs (which is what you may have read), but it will certainly output all the advanced signals via it's HDMI jack and optical out for regular DD & DTS. Also, the PS3 is the only player that currently has built-in decoding for some advanced codecs and also has HDMI 1.3, so it's actually better than most of the standalones, especially at that price point.

Firmware is like a program that updates your machine. It can be done by inserting a special CD you can burn yourself or have the company send you. Some machines with network jacks will be able to do it over the internet as well. The firmware is released to fix problems/incompatibilies that may pop up, as well as add features to your player (like more advanced audio capabilities).

Iceman_II · 01-15-2007, 02:22 AM

[sigh]

it amazes me that on a forum dedicated to BD, there are people trashing the PS3 as if it was second rate. In actuality, it is easily going to be the platforms savior - there, I said it, people who would not spring for a grand, will spring for 600, and that volume of players will speed the launch, and carry the platform until lower cost players come to market.

FYI, The PS3 is a fully functional BD player!
On the video side, it does not currently upscale, why? because Sony wants to leverage the developers into actually using 1080p, not just port over crap and have the box magicly turn it into 1080p - they have already said that this was eventually going to be changed by a future firmware upgrade.

On the audio side, it does: Linear PCM of many types, Dolby 5.1, DTS 5.1, AAC, and 7.1 (via HDMI only)... And it does ANALOG! There is a cable that comes with the player that plugs into a funky little plug on the back of the player, and and the other end terminates in analog audio and composite video.

As for updating the soft/firm ware on the PS3, you plug in an active ethernet cable, and click on system update... that is all there is too it.

Bang for buck, you can't beat the PS3

TauRus · 01-15-2007, 04:10 PM

Iceman, you might have overreacted a bit to Goodstuff's response. I do not think he was trashing PS3. He just explained audio output options with different machines. I have PS3 and love it. And to the OP: if you do not have an HDMI input on your receiver, just use the optical output to get the full surround sound.

Iceman_II · 01-15-2007, 04:53 PM

Yes, I did over-react, sorry goodstuf, but you have to admit, there is a lot of people on this board who look at the PS3 owners as the more "plebian" branch of the BD family... and it irks me when standalone owners talking about what the PS3 WON'T do, when they have no clue.

Again, sorry goodstuff

dobyblue · 01-15-2007, 05:36 PM

Plebian - good word! I haven't heard that term since I left boarding school in the UK in 1991.

Iceman_II · 01-15-2007, 05:56 PM

Thanks... if only I could spell it! DOH!!!

Plebeian, not plebian

That three years of Latin comes in handy now and then

goodstuff · 01-15-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

Yes, I did over-react, sorry goodstuf, but you have to admit, there is a lot of people on this board who look at the PS3 owners as the more "plebian" branch of the BD family... and it irks me when standalone owners talking about what the PS3 WON'T do, when they have no clue.

Again, sorry goodstuff

No problem. In no way was I putting down the PS3, I was just pointing out the analog out situation whihc may affect the OP, though I should have mentioned that the PS3 is probably the most advanced player out there right now since it has built-in advanced audio decoding and HDMI 1.3 among other things. Actually I will go and edit that in

01-14-2007, 09:33 PM	#1
dipset420 Active Member Member since:Oct 2006	surround sound with blu-ray players? im trying to figure out wich blu-ray player to buy out of the current samsung the one coming out in march and the ps3. and i thiknk i read somewhere that the ps3 doesent have surround sound so can you clear that up for me on wich players do and dont. also whats firmware and how do you update your player with this??

01-15-2007, 12:27 AM	#2
goodstuff Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2006 4K collection:509 Blu-ray collection:6535 Blu-ray reviews: 85 Trading Score:6	Every Blu-Ray player will output surround sound. Depends on what you're connecting it that puts out the sound. Dolby Digital & DTS surround can be output from every Blu-Ray player through it's coaxial, optical, HDMI or 5.1/7.1 analog outs. Advanced audio tracks like DTS-HD, TrueHD and also PCM uncompressed need either the HDMI or analog outs and a receiver with the same inputs. The PS3 does not have the analog outs (which is what you may have read), but it will certainly output all the advanced signals via it's HDMI jack and optical out for regular DD & DTS. Also, the PS3 is the only player that currently has built-in decoding for some advanced codecs and also has HDMI 1.3, so it's actually better than most of the standalones, especially at that price point. Firmware is like a program that updates your machine. It can be done by inserting a special CD you can burn yourself or have the company send you. Some machines with network jacks will be able to do it over the internet as well. The firmware is released to fix problems/incompatibilies that may pop up, as well as add features to your player (like more advanced audio capabilities). Last edited by goodstuff; 01-15-2007 at 07:05 PM.

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01-15-2007, 02:22 AM	#3
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	[sigh] it amazes me that on a forum dedicated to BD, there are people trashing the PS3 as if it was second rate. In actuality, it is easily going to be the platforms savior - there, I said it, people who would not spring for a grand, will spring for 600, and that volume of players will speed the launch, and carry the platform until lower cost players come to market. FYI, The PS3 is a fully functional BD player! On the video side, it does not currently upscale, why? because Sony wants to leverage the developers into actually using 1080p, not just port over crap and have the box magicly turn it into 1080p - they have already said that this was eventually going to be changed by a future firmware upgrade. On the audio side, it does: Linear PCM of many types, Dolby 5.1, DTS 5.1, AAC, and 7.1 (via HDMI only)... And it does ANALOG! There is a cable that comes with the player that plugs into a funky little plug on the back of the player, and and the other end terminates in analog audio and composite video. As for updating the soft/firm ware on the PS3, you plug in an active ethernet cable, and click on system update... that is all there is too it. Bang for buck, you can't beat the PS3

01-15-2007, 04:10 PM	#4
TauRus Active Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Chicago NW burbs	Iceman, you might have overreacted a bit to Goodstuff's response. I do not think he was trashing PS3. He just explained audio output options with different machines. I have PS3 and love it. And to the OP: if you do not have an HDMI input on your receiver, just use the optical output to get the full surround sound.

01-15-2007, 04:53 PM	#5
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Yes, I did over-react, sorry goodstuf, but you have to admit, there is a lot of people on this board who look at the PS3 owners as the more "plebian" branch of the BD family... and it irks me when standalone owners talking about what the PS3 WON'T do, when they have no clue. Again, sorry goodstuff

01-15-2007, 05:36 PM	#6
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	Plebian - good word! I haven't heard that term since I left boarding school in the UK in 1991.

01-15-2007, 05:56 PM	#7
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Thanks... if only I could spell it! DOH!!! Plebeian, not plebian That three years of Latin comes in handy now and then

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