Linear PCM vs Bitstream

[NovaBomb]

For additional information on Bitstreaming versus PCM, check post #1 of A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. There is also important information on Bitstreaming in Post #167 of that thread.

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The PS3 gives you two options for BD audio output. Bitstream or Liner PCM, whats the difference and which it better?

[Darth-Blu]

Depends. I have it on "Bitstream" because I'm using an optical connection. I can get my Doly & DTS tracks doing that. It doesn't give you the lossless PCM in surround though. PCM on my PS3 is only in 2 channel stereo. I think the PCM setting is for HDMI? I can't really say from experience though.

Can anyone correct me on this? Or am I on the right track?

Hope this helps ................

[NovaBomb]

ok, I'm using HDMI for sound, or should I be using optical?

[picture_shooter]

Originally Posted by Darth-Blu

Depends. I have it on "Bitstream" because I'm using an optical connection. I can get my Doly & DTS tracks doing that. It doesn't give you the lossless PCM in surround though. PCM on my PS3 is only in 2 channel stereo. I think the PCM setting is for HDMI? I can't really say from experience though.

Can anyone correct me on this? Or am I on the right track?

Hope this helps ................

Same here. I keep it real

[Darth-Blu]

HDMI definitely.

[PeterTHX]

Use HDMI, set both to "bitstream"

[theknub]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Use HDMI, set both to "bitstream"

the receiver wont be able to recognize the advanced codecs and he won't be able to transmit pcm soundtracks? or am i wrong? setting it to pcm the player will decode the advanced codecs and will send the uncompressed pcm as well. no?

[dobyblue]

Bitstream is fine for PCM, but you'll need to set it to PCM to get TrueHD like on the upcoming NIN release.

PCM - Player decodes
Bitstream - Receiver decodes

That's the long and the short of it.

[NovaBomb]

So theres really no diff. in the end your geting the same sound quality. Is that what your saying?

[NY Yankees 23 2]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Bitstream is fine for PCM, but you'll need to set it to PCM to get TrueHD like on the upcoming NIN release.

PCM - Player decodes
Bitstream - Receiver decodes

That's the long and the short of it.

what if i have both? which is better? my bluray player and receiver decodes both?

[theknub]

hdmi and set to pcm

[neckedness]

I'm new to this. I just got the Onkyo TX-SR605. I been playing with the PS3's Blu-ray settings and notice if it's set to Bitstream and blu-ray disc soundtrack set to Dolby Digital 5.1 sounds amazing and can see the dolby digital sign lit on the receiver. But the PCM uncompressed soundtrack isn't as good.

If I set to Linear PCM, and the movie soundtrack to Dolby Digital 5.1, the sound is low and not so good. But the PCM uncompressed soundtrack sounds louder and better than the DD5.1. Though it still doesn't sound amazing if set on bitstream and DD5.1.

I thought PCM uncompressed suppose to sound amazing and better than DD5.1. The movie I tried were Talledega Nights and Stealth.

Can someone explain?

[Luis_A51]

When you set your PS3 to bitstream, it will send DD5.1 as bitstream but it will limit PCM to 2.0 channels.

If you set your PS3 to PCM, it will internally decode everything and send it as pcm. It will send PCM in its original form, either 5.1 or 7.1

With that in mind, there is no reason why you should set you PS3 to bitstream.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

When you set your PS3 to bitstream, it will send DD5.1 as bitstream but it will limit PCM to 2.0 channels.

If you set your PS3 to PCM, it will internally decode everything and send it as pcm. It will send PCM in its original form, either 5.1 or 7.1

With that in mind, there is no reason why you should set you PS3 to bitstream.

Actually, if you have a newer capable receiver, like his 605, you should always set your PS3 to bitstream. His receiver should be able to decode PCM into 5.1, just not 7.1 The only time you do not set it is when you want to play the TrueHD track on BD's, then you have to set the PS3 to LPCM so it decodes the TrueHD track first and sends it out as PCM. His receiver can decode all the codecs correctly. And frankly, that is why you buy the receiver so it does the decoding for you.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Actually, if you have a newer capable receiver, like his 605, you should always set your PS3 to bitstream. His receiver should be able to decode PCM into 5.1, just not 7.1 The only time you do not set it is when you want to play the TrueHD track on BD's, then you have to set the PS3 to LPCM so it decodes the TrueHD track first and sends it out as PCM. His receiver can decode all the codecs correctly. And frankly, that is why you buy the receiver so it does the decoding for you.

No you should always have it set to PCM if you're using HDMI.
You should only set it to bitstream if you're using optical.

If you set HDMI to bitstream you'll only get Dolby Digital from the TrueHD tracks. The PS3 does not output TrueHD and DTS-MA in bitstream format, it is a limitation of the hardware, so it doesn't matter if your receiver decodes as it will not be sent the lossless track.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

No you should always have it set to PCM if you're using HDMI.
You should only set it to bitstream if you're using optical.

If you set HDMI to bitstream you'll only get Dolby Digital from the TrueHD tracks. The PS3 does not output TrueHD and DTS-MA in bitstream format, it is a limitation of the hardware, so it doesn't matter if your receiver decodes as it will not be sent the lossless track.

Come on wake up, Did you read my post? I said to set it to LPCM when you want the TrueHD track. Be careful before you post. You have been here long enough and should know better.

[seated RHS]

why then does the PS3 have the bitstream available?

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Actually, if you have a newer capable receiver, like his 605, you should always set your PS3 to bitstream. His receiver should be able to decode PCM into 5.1, just not 7.1 The only time you do not set it is when you want to play the TrueHD track on BD's, then you have to set the PS3 to LPCM so it decodes the TrueHD track first and sends it out as PCM. His receiver can decode all the codecs correctly. And frankly, that is why you buy the receiver so it does the decoding for you.

False.

Firstly you dont "decode" pcm into anything, its already decoded. There is also no such thing as "better" decoding. So just because your receiver can decode it doesnt mean it has to. As long as your receiver can handle 5.1 PCM (or 7.1 PCM) then you should set it to PCM. THis way you dont have to go back and change the settings for TrueHD

With the PS3 there is no reason to own a receiver that does TrueHD or DTS MA through bitstream. The 1st reason is that the PS3 cannot send these as bitstream, the second being that having the receiver decode it does not provide any benefits. It is pure marketing. What you should REALLY look for when buying a receiver is 7.1 PCM support.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

False.

Firstly you dont "decode" pcm into anything, its already decoded. There is also no such thing as "better" decoding. So just because your receiver can decode it doesnt mean it has to. As long as your receiver can handle 5.1 PCM (or 7.1 PCM) then you should set it to PCM. THis way you dont have to go back and change the settings for TrueHD

With the PS3 there is no reason to own a receiver that does TrueHD or DTS MA through bitstream. The 1st reason is that the PS3 cannot send these as bitstream, the second being that having the receiver decode it does not provide any benefits. It is pure marketing. What you should REALLY look for when buying a receiver is 7.1 PCM support.

Actually, a high-quality receiver can decode and output codecs better than some players can, especially DTS-ES, like the post before yours stated. The better the DAC in a receiver, the more dynamic range the soundfield will have. When the PS3 decodes it, it only applies what the software in the cell processor tells it to apply. When a better quality BD player decodes the codec, like a Pioneer Elite, it applies more dynamic range to the sound then the standard that the PS3 applies.
It is a big difference in what you get out of the player. There are reasons the players are more money than others. They DO have better video and audio processing. A DTS track is not decoded the same in every player. The bitstreaming of audio is key to a receivers worth.
You are correct, a PCM track is the same whether it comes from the receiver or player. As for the new HD codecs, when the new players come out and can bitstream those codecs, you will hear a different sound from those than you will the PS3 decoding. You are correct, the PS3 will never bitstream those codecs, as the HDMI 1.3 was not really a true 1.3 plug. I do not know why the DTS-HDMA firmware has not hit yet. I am a little worried as to the complexity of the decoding in relation to the PS3's ability to truly decode it. Again, the better the player, the easier it can do things.
Do not get me wrong, I own a PS3 and think it is the best player on the market. But if the format is moving forward, the audio needs to also. That is why all these new players are coming out. The PS3's cell can only do so much. Remeber, it is there for many other things, besides playing BD movies. Be careful with your cynicism with the 'marketing' comment. Any audiophile will tell you that the better the player/receiver, the more you will get out of it.

[Leaffan]

Originally Posted by jcs913

Actually, if you have a newer capable receiver, like his 605, you should always set your PS3 to bitstream. His receiver should be able to decode PCM into 5.1, just not 7.1 The only time you do not set it is when you want to play the TrueHD track on BD's, then you have to set the PS3 to LPCM so it decodes the TrueHD track first and sends it out as PCM. His receiver can decode all the codecs correctly. And frankly, that is why you buy the receiver so it does the decoding for you.

Sorry, but the PS3 CANNOT output Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD in bitstream. So all you will here is DTS 5.1 or DD 5.1. The ONLY way to here the HD codec is by setting your PS3 to LPCM.

I have a Pioneer VSX-9120TXH that can decode both Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD, but my PS3 cannot output that in Bitstream.