New to sound receiver, confused with surround setup.

[KaKKeBu-ray]

Hi all,

I'm still pretty fresh on this forum and I feel I still have lots to learn about Hi-fi technology. My simple question is what is the best surround setup for my receiver when watching Blu-ray movies and playing games because there are so many buttons/alternatives to choose from? I am simply confused

I have a PS3 and a Onkyo 506 receiver. Onkyo 506 as I understand is a pretty base one that does not have DTS-HD nor Dolby TrueHD. It also has HDMI pass through which seems can not send audio to the receiver through HDMI. Because of that I've seperated HDMI signals for only visuals and Optical for only audio.

What I need is help from you guys to check out if my Video Settings on the PS3 is corrected connected to my Onkyo 506 receiver. Here is my PS3 current Video Settings:

PS3:

1. Video Settings - BD/DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) - Linear PCM

2. Video Settings - BD Audio Output Format (Optical Digital) - Bitstream or Linear PCM???

I don't understand number 2. Should I choose Bitstream or Linear PCM since I've connected PS3 to sound receiver with Optical??? (My current output is Bitstream).

After I've chosen this what surround setup should I have on my receiver to get the best surround for watching movies or playing games?

There are 3 buttons, MOVIE/TV - MUSIC - GAME. In MOVIE/TV button when playing Blu-ray movie it displays "DTS Audyssey" (or Dolby depending on what audio the Blu-ray support) (Optical/Bitstream). BUT here is the thing that confuses me IF I choose a different PS3 Video Settings - BD Audio Output Format (Optical Digital) - to Linear PCM (insted of Bitstream) the MOVIE/TV button now displays "PCM DTS NEO6 Audyssey".

What is the corrected one?

On the MOVIE/TV button there are of course many more options to choose of which I don't understand half of it. Technically I still have a long way to learn as I am new to this but could some one you also care to explain what is PCM, NEO6 etc. is?

EDIT: By the way can anybody tell me what is the "Pure Audio" button with blue light is for?

I am confused with all the options to choose, I need help, what is the correct setup for on my receiver and PS3 for the best surround sound possible when watching Blu-ray, playing game or listning to music?

In advance thank you all for helping me out


Jack

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by KaKKeBu-ray

Hi all,

I'm still pretty fresh on this forum and I feel I still have lots to learn about Hi-fi technology. My simple question is what is the best surround setup for my receiver when watching Blu-ray movies and playing games because there are so many buttons/alternatives to choose from? I am simply confused

I have a PS3 and a Onkyo 506 receiver. Onkyo 506 as I understand is a pretty base one that does not have DTS-HD nor Dolby TrueHD. It also has HDMI pass through which seems can not send audio to the receiver through HDMI. Because of that I've seperated HDMI signals for only visuals and Optical for only audio.

What I need is help from you guys to check out if my Video Settings on the PS3 is corrected connected to my Onkyo 506 receiver. Here is my PS3 current Video Settings:

PS3:

1. Video Settings - BD/DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) - Linear PCM

2. Video Settings - BD Audio Output Format (Optical Digital) - Bitstream or Linear PCM???

I don't understand number 2. Should I choose Bitstream or Linear PCM since I've connected PS3 to sound receiver with Optical??? (My current output is Bitstream).

After I've chosen this what surround setup should I have on my receiver to get the best surround for watching movies or playing games?

There are 3 buttons, MOVIE/TV - MUSIC - GAME. In MOVIE/TV button when playing Blu-ray movie it displays "DTS Audyssey" (or Dolby depending on what audio the Blu-ray support) (Optical/Bitstream). BUT here is the thing that confuses me IF I choose a different PS3 Video Settings - BD Audio Output Format (Optical Digital) - to Linear PCM (insted of Bitstream) the MOVIE/TV button now displays "PCM DTS NEO6 Audyssey".

What is the corrected one?

On the MOVIE/TV button there are of course many more options to choose of which I don't understand half of it. Technically I still have a long way to learn as I am new to this but could some one you also care to explain what is PCM, NEO6 etc. is?

I am confused with all the options to choose, I need help, what is the correct setup for on my receiver and PS3 for the best surround sound possible when watching Blu-ray, playing game or listning to music?

In advance thank you all for helping me out


Jack

You need to use Bitstream on your PS3 setting. This will send the regular (non-HD) Dolby Digital or DTS soundtrack to your receiver. When you send PCM to a receiver over optical, you will only get 2 channels of audio rather than surround sound. Your receiver will then attempt to simulate surround sound out of the stereo PCM track, which is basically the same as fake surround sound. That's why you want to use Bitstream over optical and send the regular Dolby or DTS track to your receiver.

[KaKKeBu-ray]

Originally Posted by TTUBatfan2008

You need to use Bitstream on your PS3 setting. This will send the regular (non-HD) Dolby Digital or DTS soundtrack to your receiver. When you send PCM to a receiver over optical, you will only get 2 channels of audio rather than surround sound. Your receiver will then attempt to simulate surround sound out of the stereo PCM track, which is basically the same as fake surround sound. That's why you want to use Bitstream over optical and send the regular Dolby or DTS track to your receiver.

Ok thank you so much. Its kind of wierd as using Optical/Linear PCM because when playing DTS it does sound like surround but if you say is correct its a fake surround sound then I supose it is. I'll continue to use Optical/Bitstream setup.

By the way can anybody tell what is the "Pure Audio" button with blue light is for?

[Blu-Malibu2009]

Originally Posted by KaKKeBu-ray

Ok thank you so much. Its kind of wierd as using Optical/Linear PCM because when playing DTS it does sound like surround but if you say is correct its a fake surround sound then I supose it is. I'll continue to use Optical/Bitstream setup.

By the way can anybody tell what is the "Pure Audio" button with blue light is for?

The simulated (fake) surround is great when you are using a 2-channel source, such as TV audio or a music CD. But if you have the option for a true surround sound audio source, you should always try to take advantage of it.

As for the buttons on your remote for the receiver, I own a Yamaha so I have no idea what the Onkyo buttons do. Hopefully someone with an Onkyo receiver and experience with the Onkyo terminology will chime in to help you. Cheers and good luck.

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by KaKKeBu-ray

By the way can anybody tell what is the "Pure Audio" button with blue light is for?

Onkyo "Pure Audio" is a listening mode for 2-channel sources. When turned on, it basically bypasses all internal signal processing, essentially passing the pure, unaffected audio straight to the amplifer.