Audio buzz words - Blu-ray Forum

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 02:57 AM

I have a decent (I guess) Sony receiver that says DTS on the front of it. I know that DTS seems to be high on people's lists for audio capability, but then I see PCM and lossless, etc... So my question is, which buzzwords matter the most to have? Is my 5.1 receiver good enough for now since it has DTS? I have the Sony S300 Blu player so I am not totally sure what my limitations/capabilities for max sound quality are, but of course, many of you do. I know a lot of people swear by Onkyo but I don't have a budget for that. I will have to stay with my current receiver for a while as I may be moving soon, but when I am ready to upgrade, I'd like to have as much info as I can to browse with.

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 03:00 AM

For your player, you can do PCM as well as DD and DTS. No lossless DD and DTS on this player. There are alot of cheaper receivers that will do PCM. It is lossless (uncompressed audio) where standard DD and DTS are compressed.

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 03:08 AM

Thanks Jason. This is the exact system that I have. I guess it's not 5.1? I always just thought that meant 5 speakers and a sub.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-DDW660.../dp/B0001LGXO0

# Virtual surround sound: Yes
# THX-certified: No
# Dolby Digital decoder: Yes
# DTS decoder: Yes
# Dolby Pro Logic decoder: Yes
# Dolby Pro Logic II decoder: Yes
# DSP sound fields: Digital Cinema Sound System (Cinema Studio EX); 32-bit processing
# 5.1 channel input: No
# Digital outputs: 0
# Digital inputs: 2 (1 optical, 1 coaxial)

crackinhedz · 01-12-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QwikSand

I have a decent (I guess) Sony receiver that says DTS on the front of it. I know that DTS seems to be high on people's lists for audio capability, but then I see PCM and lossless, etc... So my question is, which buzzwords matter the most to have? Is my 5.1 receiver good enough for now since it has DTS? I have the Sony S300 Blu player so I am not totally sure what my limitations/capabilities for max sound quality are, but of course, many of you do. I know a lot of people swear by Onkyo but I don't have a budget for that. I will have to stay with my current receiver for a while as I may be moving soon, but when I am ready to upgrade, I'd like to have as much info as I can to browse with.

Unfortunately the S300 can only output Uncompressed PCM...no TrueHD or Dts-HD Master.

So basically you just need an HDMI receiver that is capable of Multichannel PCM.

The lowest priced receivers that are capable of multichannel pcm are:

Sony STR-DG810 5.1PCM ($311 Free Shipping)
Sony STR-DG910 7.1PCM ($430)
Onkyo TX-SR605 7.1PCM ($395 Free Shipping)
Yamaha RX-V661 7.1PCM ($500 Free Shipping)

any of these receivers will provide Lossless audio.

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 03:16 AM

Ok great thanks. So until I can get around to afford/get one of those, what's my optimal setup with what I have right now?

Btw CH, I always appreciate your detailed responses with links and stuff, it's really helpful.

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 03:16 AM

No, you have 5.1. But it is compressed, not lossless. Just run digital audio like you have now.

crackinhedz · 01-12-2008, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QwikSand

So until I can get around to afford/get one of those, what's my optimal setup with what I have right now?

Optical cable for audio.

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Optical cable for audio.

Great , thanks.

I notice on Amazon the optical cables seem to be pretty cheap, under $20. I have noticed a lot of debate on here about Monster cables and other higher priced cables as to whether paying extra for the 'high end' stuff is worth it or not. Does that kind of debate hold true for optical audio cables? I have never used them before, only the red and white cables.

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 04:08 AM

Cheap optical is okay it is digital. I think I paid five dollars for mine.

Sorry, I thought you were already using digital cables....

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Cheap optical is okay it is digital. I think I paid five dollars for mine.

Sorry, I thought you were already using digital cables....

It's cool man, I am an audio newbie. I am now starting to really learn what all of these audio and video buzzwords mean so I am trying to squeeze the most out of the components I have and maximize what I've spent already and prolong upgrading as my budget is very tight right now. I never really knew what the stuff I have was capable of so now I can slowly bring them more to life I guess.

So the optical cable will be a big improvement over the red and white cables I am guessing?

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 04:18 AM

Yeah, I have close to the same setup. Use HDMI from the TV to the BDP and optical from the BDP to the receiver and you're golden. You will not have the most up to date audio format, but it will still sound great compared to what you are hearing now. Make sure the audio on your BDP isn't set to PCM or you will still be getting 2.0.

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Yeah, I have close to the same setup. Use HDMI from the TV to the BDP and optical from the BDP to the receiver and you're golden. You will not have the most up to date audio format, but it will still sound great compared to what you are hearing now. Make sure the audio on your BDP isn't set to PCM or you will still be getting 2.0.

I know it can't be state of the art for now but whatever I can squeeze out is what I am after

I will go through and check all of this stuff out. If I have more questions I'll post back. Thanks for all of the help you guys.

crackinhedz · 01-12-2008, 04:24 AM

make sure you set the output of the S300 to Bitstream with an Optical cable.

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 04:25 AM

Actually, you are still light years ahead of the people without any home theatre at all. Look at it that way.

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

make sure you set the output of the S300 to Bitstream with an Optical cable.

You set each format on the S300

ie

Dolby Digital
- Dolby Digital
- Dowmix PCM

DTS
- DTS
- Dowmix PCM

He will just want to choose DTS or DD.

crackinhedz · 01-12-2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

He will just want to choose DTS or DD.

Bitstream in other words.

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Bitstream in other words.

Exactamundo, I'm not sure he would have been able to deceifer that though. Ya know?

crackinhedz · 01-12-2008, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

Exactamundo, I'm not sure he would have been able to deceifer that though. Ya know?

your probably right...

its just instinct for me to say:

Optical = Bitstream

JasonR · 01-12-2008, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

your probably right...

its just instinct for me to say:

Optical = Bitstream

I hear ya, if you're new though it doesn't make sense if your player doesn't say it...

QwikSand · 01-12-2008, 01:59 PM

I'm thankful for what I have

At least I can enjoy some of the higher end audio with it and that's plenty for me. I am in an apartment, I can only listen to it so loud anyways.

01-12-2008, 02:57 AM	#1
QwikSand Power Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:25	Audio buzz words I have a decent (I guess) Sony receiver that says DTS on the front of it. I know that DTS seems to be high on people's lists for audio capability, but then I see PCM and lossless, etc... So my question is, which buzzwords matter the most to have? Is my 5.1 receiver good enough for now since it has DTS? I have the Sony S300 Blu player so I am not totally sure what my limitations/capabilities for max sound quality are, but of course, many of you do. I know a lot of people swear by Onkyo but I don't have a budget for that. I will have to stay with my current receiver for a while as I may be moving soon, but when I am ready to upgrade, I'd like to have as much info as I can to browse with.

01-12-2008, 03:16 AM	#6
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	No, you have 5.1. But it is compressed, not lossless. Just run digital audio like you have now. Last edited by JasonR; 01-12-2008 at 03:21 AM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
How do I turn my URLs into words?	General Chat	GOAT	5	12-27-2009 12:40 AM
some phrases/words I don't understand	Newbie Discussion	samdaman94	18	08-27-2009 02:43 PM
Good buzz? Bad buzz??	Speakers	BluCheez	4	08-05-2009 12:35 AM
The Last Words You would say to HD-DVD!	General Chat	JohnAlden	34	02-02-2008 12:24 AM
There are no words!	General Chat	Cartesian	21	11-09-2007 12:05 AM

01-12-2008, 03:00 AM	#2
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	For your player, you can do PCM as well as DD and DTS. No lossless DD and DTS on this player. There are alot of cheaper receivers that will do PCM. It is lossless (uncompressed audio) where standard DD and DTS are compressed.

01-12-2008, 03:08 AM	#3
QwikSand Power Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:25	Thanks Jason. This is the exact system that I have. I guess it's not 5.1? I always just thought that meant 5 speakers and a sub. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-DDW660.../dp/B0001LGXO0 # Virtual surround sound: Yes # THX-certified: No # Dolby Digital decoder: Yes # DTS decoder: Yes # Dolby Pro Logic decoder: Yes # Dolby Pro Logic II decoder: Yes # DSP sound fields: Digital Cinema Sound System (Cinema Studio EX); 32-bit processing # 5.1 channel input: No # Digital outputs: 0 # Digital inputs: 2 (1 optical, 1 coaxial)

01-12-2008, 04:08 AM	#9
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Cheap optical is okay it is digital. I think I paid five dollars for mine. Sorry, I thought you were already using digital cables....

01-12-2008, 04:18 AM	#11
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Yeah, I have close to the same setup. Use HDMI from the TV to the BDP and optical from the BDP to the receiver and you're golden. You will not have the most up to date audio format, but it will still sound great compared to what you are hearing now. Make sure the audio on your BDP isn't set to PCM or you will still be getting 2.0.

01-12-2008, 04:24 AM	#13
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	make sure you set the output of the S300 to Bitstream with an Optical cable.

01-12-2008, 04:25 AM	#14
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	Actually, you are still light years ahead of the people without any home theatre at all. Look at it that way.

01-12-2008, 01:59 PM	#20
QwikSand Power Member Member since:Dec 2007 Trading Score:25	I'm thankful for what I have At least I can enjoy some of the higher end audio with it and that's plenty for me. I am in an apartment, I can only listen to it so loud anyways.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals