How to determine if a receiver can matrix a 5.1 audio track into 7.1?

[nismo604]

Originally Posted by krizzz

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm still a little hazy on the formats. Bitstream is completely uncompressed audio, but LPCM is in some format (TrueHD, DTS-MA, etc.)? Or is that completely wrong? I am running a PS3 over optical to standard DD/DTS AVR currently. I know there are limitations to what the PS3 can output (it can do bitstream but not LPCM or vice versa??). I was leaning towards the Onkyo 706, but have seen quite a few posts about problems with the PS3/Onkyo combo having blue dots and jaggies on the screen, so it led me to this point, trying to see what other receivers will do what I am looking to do.

LPCM= uncompressed audio
TrueHD/DTS-MA= LPCM that is compressed but once decoded is LPCM.

LPCM=TrueHD=DTS-MA

Bitstreaming is what you do if you want to let your AVR do the decoding. The PS3 can bitstream lossy codec ie. regular Dolby Digital and DTS but due to hardware limitations the PS3 can't bitstream TrueHD and DTS-MA. What the PS3 can do is decode TrueHD/DTS-MA and pass it on as LPCM via HDMI only. Since you're hooked up via optical your best option is to bitstream regular DD/DTS as LPCM output is only restricted to 2 channel on optical. Unfortunately you will not be able to take advantage of lossless sound without a new AVR or get a standalone that can decode and has analog outs to send it to your AVR, that is provided that your AVR has 5.1/7.1 analog inputs.