question about ps3 audio

[eclimax13]

ok so i have a ps3 and denon avr-3806...i have my ps3 set to linear pcm...the receiver doesnt decode dolby hd audio or dts master but supposedly the ps3 does...now when i play something with either of these audio options, i can choose it and it will play fine...my question is..am i really getting dolby true hd?

[CanadianKrazyMods]

Originally Posted by eclimax13

ok so i have a ps3 and denon avr-3806...i have my ps3 set to linear pcm...the receiver doesnt decode dolby hd audio or dts master but supposedly the ps3 does...now when i play something with either of these audio options, i can choose it and it will play fine...my question is..am i really getting dolby true hd?

NO

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by CanadianKrazyMods

NO

If you've selected PCM instead of bitstream for the PS3's audio output and you've selected the TrueHD or DTS-MA track on the disc, the PS3 internally decodes those lossless codecs; if you're outputting the audio over HDMI instead of optical, your receiver is getting that decoded audio.

[eclimax13]

ok thanks..thats what i thought...i didnt want to replace the receiver, but would if i had to...just seems that if i pick between the two audios on the disc, the dolby true hd doesnt sound as good

[Joe Cain]

What do you mean by "as good?" I only own a few TrueHD titles (also using a PS3 as the player and sending the decoded track as PCM to the receiver) and they seem to be a considerable upgrade over Dolby Digital to me. They don't initially seem as loud---maybe "hot" would be a better choice of words---but lossless audio has greater expanded dynamic range (louder louds and softer softs).

Depending on your preferences and your usual viewing circumstances, you may want to experiment with the PS3's Dynamic Range Control setting, which applies to Dolby (both lossy and lossless) tracks sent out as PCM. DRC provides a less accurate rendering of the mix because it limits the dynamic range in order to make sotfer sounds more prominent in playback; it's not the audiophile-friendly choice, but I've had occasion to use it---mostly at night when I'm watching alone and want to hear dialogue clearly without low frequency bombast disturbing anyone else in the house.

The DRC settings are found in the PS3's XMB under Settings>Video Settings>BD/DVD Dynamic Range Control. DRC can be set to On, Off, or Auto; the last setting (I believe) applies DRC to discs which have been authored specifically to employ DRC by default.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by eclimax13

ok thanks..thats what i thought...i didnt want to replace the receiver, but would if i had to...just seems that if i pick between the two audios on the disc, the dolby true hd doesnt sound as good

The difference you hear is 80% "dialnorm" (which is simply a programmed downward volume adjustment that occurs with Dolby tracks) in conjunction with 20% Dolby audio mix. Each company respectively produces their own mix of what they think sounds good. Personally, since I first heard a DTS track on DVD, Dolby mixes have always seemed a bit flat. Another likely source of difference is the Dynamic Range Control on the PS3. Turn that setting to "off" in your PS3 settings.

[b0bby]

Originally Posted by Joe Cain

If you've selected PCM instead of bitstream for the PS3's audio output and you've selected the TrueHD or DTS-MA track on the disc, the PS3 internally decodes those lossless codecs; if you're outputting the audio over HDMI instead of optical, your receiver is getting that decoded audio.

if you have a newer receiver with hdmi then it "should" output multichannel pcm via hdmi which is TrueHD or DTS-MA. but keep in mind not all hdmi receivers do this, some early generation ones don't and your stuck without HD audio. even though it doesn't say this on your receiver you're still getting HD lossless audio because the ps3 decodes it like Joe is saying. I have idea what crazycanadian is saying NO to without any explanation.

[eclimax13]

thanks guys..i actually think it is the drc that i turned on when i moved to an apartment from my parents...dont want to disturb anyone...(cant wait to get into a house next year)..my main concern was how much of a difference i heard from house of flying daggers going from original to uncompressed audio..it was a night and day difference...cant remember if i had drc on then...now i switch from dolby to dolby true hd and dont get that same wow, holy $h!t....especially in the matrix

also did more research this morning and found out the ps3 decodes everything except dts master audio internally so i dont need to upgrade my receiver...very good news to my wallet