PS3 with Yamaha or Pioneer Elite

[Viquist_Zius]

So, I have a PS3 as my Blu-Ray Player and was wondering which of these 2 receivers would be best for my set-up. I've looked at both product pages and can't really compare the two, if anyone can help with which of the 2 following receivers would handle the hi-def audio codecs best the way the PS3 transmits them, it would be a great help to me and my Father-In-Law, who is also looking to buy.

Yamaha RX-V863

Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXH

Thanks

[BStecke]

I have that Pioneer and have been very satisfied with it. My previous receiver was a Yamaha that also never gave me any trouble. What kind of speakers do you have?

[CptGreedle]

I myself use a Yamaha. In fact I have used Yamaha for the last 3 set-ups I've had.
I can say a good quality Yamaha can compete with the best of them.
I don't know about Pioneer.

[Viquist_Zius]

...see I'm new to the surround sound world, I mainly need the receiver now for more inputs but I want to get what will keep me prepared for a few months later when I do get speakers. My F-I-L has Cambridge Soundworks Speakers. Does anyone know if these two accept the audio codecs through HDMI and optical or if it's only picture, and if they do will they accept them as PCM or bitstream or however the PS3 would have to pass them off.

Thanks

[BStecke]

Both of them handle the new codecs as well as PCM. The PS3 will bitstream Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS-HD, and PCM. TrueHD has to be decoded by the PS3 and sent to the receiver as PCM. Realistically, if you're always going to be using the PS3 as your Blu-ray player, your receiver only has to handle PCM through HDMI. But, if you ever plan on upgrading your player, and you get a player that doesn't support internal decoding, you'll need a receiver that handles the newer codecs.

None of the new codecs will work with optical. To expand on that, you can get stereo PCM via optical, but not 5.1. So yeah, it works, but not as it "should."

[MacDaddyOJack]

BSteke has it right in the post above. All you really need is an HDMI capable reciever so both of them will work well for you. I prefer Yamaha over the Pioneer although I think both will last you for quite a while. I just prefer the sound of the Yamaha over the Pioneer. The sound of the two will be very close though, you may not even notice a difference. You really can't go wrong with either one.

[Viquist_Zius]

...BSteck, these two will support Dolby THD through PCM via HDMI and that the PS3 will send Dolby THD as PCM via HDMI, correct? So either way I go, I'm fine. The other codecs have to be sent via HDMI through bitstream and these receivers will support that as well, correct? As far as I know, the PS3 will be my blu-ray player til profile 2.0 become available and cheaper (and I convince my wife to get a second TV!)

[Viquist_Zius]

...BStecke, these two will support Dolby THD through PCM via HDMI and that the PS3 will send Dolby THD as PCM via HDMI, correct? So either way I go, I'm fine. The other codecs have to be sent via HDMI through bitstream and these receivers will support that as well, correct? As far as I know, the PS3 will be my blu-ray player til profile 2.0 become available and cheaper (and I convince my wife to get a second TV!)

[BStecke]

You're correct with everything except that the other codecs HAVE to be sent as bitstream. You can leave the PS3 on PCM all the time and it'll work. I just prefer to have the receiver do the decoding whenever possible. The only time I take mine off of bitstream is for TrueHD tracks.

[Viquist_Zius]

You guys are the reason I signed up... Thanks for all your help. If there is anything else you can think of that I might need to know about like speakers and remotes, feel free to post, I look forward to anything you can give me.

Thanks Again,

Viquist Zius

[ILLSQUAD2G]

Originally Posted by Viquist_Zius

So, I have a PS3 as my Blu-Ray Player and was wondering which of these 2 receivers would be best for my set-up. I've looked at both product pages and can't really compare the two, if anyone can help with which of the 2 following receivers would handle the hi-def audio codecs best the way the PS3 transmits them, it would be a great help to me and my Father-In-Law, who is also looking to buy.

Yamaha RX-V863

Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXH

Thanks

In the end it comes down to overall sound quality preference. As both units mentioned are good units but they both produce great sound but not the exact same sound. It’s hard to explain but if you were to play the same audio track on both units with the same speakers (stereo mode for example) The final sound produced by each unit would differ a bit. You would be best off going into a local store and listening to each unit individually to help make your choice beyond features and specs.

Also If you are looking at the Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXH or the Yamaha rx-v863
I would really suggest looking into a Yamaha RX-V1800 as then you are looking at both manufacturers top unit lines. As the Yamaha 863 would be a line lower than an Elite series unit. Things such as the components used and sometimes even where the units is actually manufactured.

Here is a great place to see reviews by "SOUND AND VISION" magazine

YAMAHA 1800 This particular link will show and explain the actual "BENCH TEST" results done by Sound and Vision Magazine.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html

OR this link which will provide you with an in-depth review by Sound and Vision

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html

They do not provide a test of the Elite VSX-91TXH but they do provide one for the higher end 94-TXH


I would also have a look @ www.avsforum.com and see the reviews and opinions of actual owners of each of the 2 units in question to better help you make a more informed decision.

I personally would buy the Yamaha 1800 over the Pioneer VSX-91TXH. But that is my opinion I actually ended up purchasing the ONKYO SR-875 OVER THE YAMAHA 3800 for the sole reason of the REON-VX video processor for 1080P upscaling.

As I am sure you are aware with most every new video unit/game console/TV/DVD/BLU-RAY/ and even newer desktop PC's are all using the HDMI for audio and video in one single cable. So Receivers are now more than ever responsible for video switching/upconversion (for example composite video-HDMI) and even for UPSCALING picture quality (480i/p-720p,1080i and even 1080P) So you should also take this into consideration especially if you have or intend to get a 1080P TV. You would want a receiver that can pass or even upscale a 1080P picture.

As for your question regarding the AUDIO/VIDEO VIA HDMI (Bitstream/Linear PCM) Most newer Blu-Ray players can decode the "HIGH-DEF LOSSLESS" audio formats and then pass it to an HDMI capable receiver as Multi-Channel PCM. Such as the PS3 (The PS3 can currently not pass any HIGH DEF AUDIO TRACK as Bitsream) It can only decode DOLBY TRUE-HD and as I said earlier it would pass it as Linear PCM Multi-Channel to a HDMI capable receiver. Meaning the receiver does not decode the signal it will just play the received Multi-Channel from the PS3.

But almost every new (but not all) A/V receivers have the new HDMI 1.3spec which means it can decode all High Def formats/ But it will also play an already decoded (as in the PS3 example) as Multi-Channel.

So really if you buy a HDMI 1.3 spec A/V receiver than you have covered all of the HIGH-DEF formats. (but most Blu Ray players except the newer ones cn only send out the HIGH DEF audio already decoded as MC-PCM)

In the end it really comes down to buying a unit that can do all the Video processing you require (whether its upscaling or just to pass-through a signal upto 1080P) and will not degrade a High-Def picture in the process.

Also make sure you buy any unit you choose from a FACTORY AUTHORIZED DEALER as there is alot of sellers out there that sell Yamaha and Pioneer and offer a warranty but infact it is not a factory warranty but a warranty provided by the store. Which in some cases when the unit needs repair although they will repair the unit sometimes it is not with factory approved parts and far inferior components than it actually had. You can always check to see if a seller is Factory Authorized by going to the manufacturers website and finding a list under authorized dealers. Specifically Yamaha has had alot of issues with resellers claiming to be authorized Yamaha dealers when infact they are not (some sellers are actually modifying serial numbers prior to selling the units) So just be careful when buying online.

I am sorry if what I said has confused you in anyway. But if there is a specific detail I have mentioned that you wish to know more about / or dont understand please feel free to send me a PM or just reply with quote and I will check this thread frequently.

I really hope all I said has helped you in your search for the right A/V receiver for you and your budget. Enjoy listening to the new HIGH DEF LOSSLESS AUDIO TRACKS!

[Metalheadisme]

Condsidering the price ranges your question implied, I would honestly consider either A) getting a Denon or b) waiting for the new Harman Kardons to come out. Why? Sound quality- I personally prefer the Denons and HKs to Pioneer Elites and Yamaha because of their warmth, but you must listen to them for yourself (and yes I know the new HK's are not out yet, but I am going by my current HK and every HK I've owned- I know HK's will be warm).

[AnDaman]

I have a ps3 at home along with my new Elite vsx-91txh. bitstream from ps3 via hdmi to the avr sounds great, but i cannot get TruHD nor dts-hd MA because ps3 don't bitstream hi-def. switching to linear pcm from the ps3 via hdmi to my avr, some how the sound got smaller and no TruHD nor dts-hd MA display on my avr. i tried to change to multi-channel, but the avr display "cannot select".

Can anyone show me how to get Hi-Def sound with my setup? that was the whole purpose why i got this new avr.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by AnDaman

I have a ps3 at home along with my new Elite vsx-91txh. bitstream from ps3 via hdmi to the avr sounds great, but i cannot get TruHD nor dts-hd MA because ps3 don't bitstream hi-def. switching to linear pcm from the ps3 via hdmi to my avr, some how the sound got smaller and no TruHD nor dts-hd MA display on my avr. i tried to change to multi-channel, but the avr display "cannot select".

Can anyone show me how to get Hi-Def sound with my setup? that was the whole purpose why i got this new avr.

PS3 has to be in Linear PCM.

just because it sounds lower than bitstream means absolutely nothing. Different transport. Just turn it up.

press "select" or "display" on the PS3 remote...this will show you what audio is being output.

Your receiver will only display PCM, but this is the correct way.

[crackinhedz]

and turn DRC to Off.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

I myself use a Yamaha. In fact I have used Yamaha for the last 3 set-ups I've had.
I can say a good quality Yamaha can compete with the best of them.
I don't know about Pioneer.

+1. I'm used Yamaha receivers for years, and my current one, the HTR-6080, works perfectly with the PS3 decoding all lossless audio tracks.

Pioneer Elites always get good reviews as well, so I would suggest listening to both receivers. Don't blind (deaf) buy, especially when you don't have a reference point to begin with. Only your ears can determine what sounds best for you.

[AnDaman]

Thank you!

i've set the ps3 to linear pcm via hdmi to the avr. by pressing "select" it display the correct audio, which is hi-def, but on the avr, no digital nor hi-def logos display other than the pcm. Is it correct? the sound that come out is hi-def? what requirements does it takes to have the avr display the right logo?

oh...one more...what about cable? is hdmi 1.3 10.2 Gbps is an absolute?

thank you guys so much.