PS3 and 7.1 Matrixing Bug?

[krizzz]

I just came across a pretty serious limitation using a PS3 as a primary BD player. I have seen this posted on the Sony forum (without any good responses), so I will quote another poster directly, rather than try to explain it (far more poorly):

What the PS3 currently does is:

* I play a 5.1 Channel PS3 game and I recieve 7.1 Channels of MPCM at the receiver. Only 5.1 Channels have sound playing but I am unable to process Dolby PLIIX because the RECEIVER sees 7.1 channels of MPCM signal. The Source media is 5.1 and the PS3 is outputting 7.1 MPCM
* I play a 2 Channel MP3 audio file and I recieve 7.1 Channels of MPCM at the receiver. Only 2 Channels have sound playing but I am unable to process Dolby PLIIX because the RECEIVER sees 7.1 channels of MPCM signal. The Source media is 2 Channel and the PS3 is outputting 7.1 MPCM
* I play a 2 Channel Divx or Xvid movie and I recieve 7.1 Channels of MPCM at the receiver. Only 2 Channels have sound playing, but I am unable to process Dolby PLIIX because the RECEIVER sees 7.1 channels of MPCM signal. The Source media is 2 Channel and the PS3 is outputting 7.1 MPCM

The PS3 is capable of outputting only 2 Channel or only 5.1 MPCM if you manually disable all the other options. So it isn't an issue with my Receiver. It even works normally with DVDs and BluRays.... Clearly the PS3 is capable of switching between the Audio output formats automatically...

Just not when playing MP3s, DIVX Video or PS3 Games..."


Any gurus have a fix for this?

[Got2LoveGadgets]

This isn't a real problem to get round it just feed an optical cable from the PS3. If you use HDMI all the decoding is done by the PS3 and your amp will just display 7.1 Multi input of something similar

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by Got2LoveGadgets

This isn't a real problem to get round it just feed an optical cable from the PS3. If you use HDMI all the decoding is done by the PS3 and your amp will just display 7.1 Multi input of something similar

The problem is that the receiver sees all sources as 7.1 (including 2.0, 5.1), so it will not allow me to matrix anything into 7.1 (because it thinks it is already there). So I have no capacity to Matrix a 5.1 soundtrack into 7.1, or stereo music.

PS I am using HDMI so I can use the lossless soundtracks and 7.1 tracks when available.

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by krizzz

The problem is that the receiver sees all sources as 7.1 (including 2.0, 5.1), so it will not allow me to matrix anything into 7.1 (because it thinks it is already there). So I have no capacity to Matrix a 5.1 soundtrack into 7.1, or stereo music.

PS I am using HDMI so I can use the lossless soundtracks and 7.1 tracks when available.

I think he's saying, keep using your HDMI connection for BD to get the lossless audio, but additionally hook up an optical cable and switch to the appropriate input on your receiver when you want to play MP3s, DivX or games. I'm not sure if that works, but it's worth a shot.

[ToEhrIsHuman]

Why can't you go into the audio setup menu and simply disable any selections you don't want at the time, e.g. uncheck the 7.1 options for 5.1 and uncheck everything except 2-channel stereo when you only want that option? Yeah, it's kind of a pain in the a$$ but it will do the job...I have to do the same thing in order to bitstream my DTS cds when I want to listen to them since the PS3 doesn't recognize them as being DTS (and therefore it won't decode them internally).

[Got2LoveGadgets]

You can change the PS3 HDMI setting to bitstream this will allow you to matrix lossy 2.0 and 5.1 into 7.1. You will not be able to Matrix 5.1 loss less into 7.1 with the PS3 its just one of those things. Be greatful you can enjoy loss less audio allot of people can't!

[un4gvn94538]

all you need to do is uncheck 7.1. this 'issue' has been apparent for a long time. but not all games do this. when i was compiling a list of games that do support 7.1, some games do actually show 5.1 on the receiver.

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by Got2LoveGadgets

You can change the PS3 HDMI setting to bitstream this will allow you to matrix lossy 2.0 and 5.1 into 7.1. You will not be able to Matrix 5.1 loss less into 7.1 with the PS3 its just one of those things. Be greatful you can enjoy loss less audio allot of people can't!

Bitstream will play native 7.1 lossy soundtracks? I thought you had to use LPCM for anything over 5.1. If you're right (and I have no reason to doubt you ) that sounds like a workable solution.


The option (manually changing the settings) is also appreciated! Question now becomes, do I take the lazy (but lower quality) path, or monkey with the settings and get the best AQ... what to do... =)

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

all you need to do is uncheck 7.1. this 'issue' has been apparent for a long time. but not all games do this. when i was compiling a list of games that do support 7.1, some games do actually show 5.1 on the receiver.

BTW, I thought about this, but I have a handful of 7.1 movies (3:10 to Yuma, Price Caspian, Dark City, etc.) and I would have to go through the "check/uncheck" the box routine every time I wanted to watch one.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by krizzz

Bitstream will play native 7.1 lossy soundtracks? I thought you had to use LPCM for anything over 5.1. If you're right (and I have no reason to doubt you ) that sounds like a workable solution.


The option (manually changing the settings) is also appreciated! Question now becomes, do I take the lazy (but lower quality) path, or monkey with the settings and get the best AQ... what to do... =)

no it wont. only way to get 7.1 with the ps3 is lpcm not bitstream. there is no lossy 7.1 but you can matrix lossy 5.1. just uncheck 7.1 or any other option that the media doesnt match to matrix it.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by krizzz

BTW, I thought about this, but I have a handful of 7.1 movies (3:10 to Yuma, Price Caspian, Dark City, etc.) and I would have to go through the "check/uncheck" the box routine every time I wanted to watch one.

yes you would. its really not that big a deal. takes two seconds. i switch video cables and audio all the time. but you know, most people dont want to add any additional processing to hd audio

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

yes you would. its really not that big a deal. takes two seconds. i switch video cables and audio all the time. but you know, most people dont want to add any additional processing to hd audio

I think that will be the way to go. By default, leave 7.1 unchecked, and enable when I want it... now if only I can find a way to program my Hamony remote to do this with a macro!

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by krizzz

I think that will be the way to go. By default, leave 7.1 unchecked, and enable when I want it... now if only I can find a way to program my Hamony remote to do this with a macro!

i wonder if its possible with an usb dongle by programming the ir from the nyko remote. i programmed my receiver remote with it including the directional, select, start, etc. everything but power.

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

i wonder if its possible with an usb dongle by programming the ir from the nyko remote. i programmed my receiver remote with it including the directional, select, start, etc. everything but power.

I have the same setup with the Nyko. They even have the power off option in the GUI in the latest firmware, so it's only a manual turning on now.

I am wondering if you start by entering a bunch of "left" presses in the macro to make sure you always start at the leftmost menu and then count out the number of presses to get to the correct menu, it might be doable. But probably be a bigger PITA to setup than just doing it manually when you need it.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by krizzz

I have the same setup with the Nyko. They even have the power off option in the GUI in the latest firmware, so it's only a manual turning on now.

I am wondering if you start by entering a bunch of "left" presses in the macro to make sure you always start at the leftmost menu and then count out the number of presses to get to the correct menu, it might be doable. But probably be a bigger PITA to setup than just doing it manually when you need it.

when you start up the ps3, it will always start at the same point maybe not if there is no game in. the only issue i see is that it may depend on how fast the signal is sent the ps3 may see it as one continuous press and may just scroll fast to the bottom or side. i dunno. it may be interesting to see if it works.

[NovaBomb]

Originally Posted by krizzz

I just came across a pretty serious limitation using a PS3 as a primary BD player. I have seen this posted on the Sony forum (without any good responses), so I will quote another poster directly, rather than try to explain it (far more poorly):

What the PS3 currently does is:

* I play a 5.1 Channel PS3 game and I recieve 7.1 Channels of MPCM at the receiver. Only 5.1 Channels have sound playing but I am unable to process Dolby PLIIX because the RECEIVER sees 7.1 channels of MPCM signal. The Source media is 5.1 and the PS3 is outputting 7.1 MPCM
* I play a 2 Channel MP3 audio file and I recieve 7.1 Channels of MPCM at the receiver. Only 2 Channels have sound playing but I am unable to process Dolby PLIIX because the RECEIVER sees 7.1 channels of MPCM signal. The Source media is 2 Channel and the PS3 is outputting 7.1 MPCM
* I play a 2 Channel Divx or Xvid movie and I recieve 7.1 Channels of MPCM at the receiver. Only 2 Channels have sound playing, but I am unable to process Dolby PLIIX because the RECEIVER sees 7.1 channels of MPCM signal. The Source media is 2 Channel and the PS3 is outputting 7.1 MPCM

The PS3 is capable of outputting only 2 Channel or only 5.1 MPCM if you manually disable all the other options. So it isn't an issue with my Receiver. It even works normally with DVDs and BluRays.... Clearly the PS3 is capable of switching between the Audio output formats automatically...

Just not when playing MP3s, DIVX Video or PS3 Games..."


Any gurus have a fix for this?

Completly False, for I do not have this problem with my 7.1 reciever.

[krizzz]

Originally Posted by NovaBomb

Completly False, for I do not have this problem with my 7.1 reciever.

What receiver do you have? I have seen this posted across boards with everything from Onkyos to Pioneers? Great to have some fresh info!

[aramis109]

Matrixing is handled by the receiver, so it'd be on the receiver's end, not the PS3. My 605 can't matrix/apply post-processing modes to lossless, for instance, while the 70x and higher can.

[NovaBomb]

Originally Posted by krizzz

What receiver do you have? I have seen this posted across boards with everything from Onkyos to Pioneers? Great to have some fresh info!

Denon 3806 7.1, Basicly when I play a 5.1 blu, it will matrix 7.1. When I play a 7.1 blu, it will show multich 7.1. It will even matrix 2 ch stereo up to 7.1. (good for Cable) Mind you I had to upgrade the firmware on this receiver because the only 7ch option it had was 7ch stereo, it couldn't accept multich 7.1 before, nor matrix 7.1

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Matrixing is handled by the receiver, so it'd be on the receiver's end, not the PS3. My 605 can't matrix/apply post-processing modes to lossless, for instance, while the 70x and higher can.

i have an Onkyo 706 and have no problems matrixing anything.

time to upgrade the receiver playa!!