PCM sound Question - Blu-ray Forum

jee · 08-15-2007, 09:06 PM

Sorry for what is likely a very repetitive question.

I have the Sony STR-K900 Reciever, which has 2 optical inputs, a coaxial and 2 HDMI. The HDMI Inputs are video only (acts as a switch that forces a maximum of 1080i), thus I dont use the hdmi on the receiver.

I have my PS3 hooked up too the reciever with optical cable. My question is, does PCM 5.1 work with any or most 5.1 recievers? Or do you need the latest and greatest for it?

When I enable PCM 5.1 as opposed to the regular DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1, the sound seems alot louder. But im curious, is it actually decoding the 5 channels properly or should I stick to the old DD and DTS soundtracks?

Thanks in advance.

WickyWoo · 08-15-2007, 09:18 PM

PCM is not dialnormed to make compression and equalization easier, and is not compressed unlike DD or DTS 5.1

PCM will not go over anything but HDMI from the PS3, except as a 2-channel signal.

ClaytonMG · 08-15-2007, 10:20 PM

It really depends on the reciever. I recommend getting one with HDMI that will accept at least 5.1 PCM (if you can get 7.1 PCM, great, but if not the reciever will probably be able to apply Dolby Pro-Logic IIx to the PCM and that way you'll get matrixed 7.1 sound). But there are recievers out there, obviously, that have HDMI input but don't accept any audio, or only accept PCM 2.0. So it's important to see if the reciever first accepts PCM 5.1/7.1. If it does, then you'll be able to enjoy PCM audio and, if the player decodes it, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. Hope this helps!

aqupunk · 08-15-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaytonMG

It really depends on the reciever. I recommend getting one with HDMI that will accept at least 5.1 PCM (if you can get 7.1 PCM, great, but if not the reciever will probably be able to apply Dolby Pro-Logic IIx to the PCM and that way you'll get matrixed 7.1 sound). But there are recievers out there, obviously, that have HDMI input but don't accept any audio, or only accept PCM 2.0. So it's important to see if the reciever first accepts PCM 5.1/7.1. If it does, then you'll be able to enjoy PCM audio and, if the player decodes it, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. Hope this helps!

Does the onkyo 605 do pcm 7.1 matrix sound?

Sport · 08-15-2007, 10:32 PM

I am also using an HDMI from my player to my receiver. When I select PCM uncompressed, the sound appears to be 2 channel stereo (ie. no center speaker output) and the light indicators on my Sony STR-5200ES show stereo. I talked to Crutchfield tech support and they said just select Dolby or DTS and go about my business. How should my reciever be set to take advantage of the PCM 5.1 coming from my Model 300 Sony Blu-ray?

crackinhedz · 08-15-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport

I am also using an HDMI from my player to my receiver. When I select PCM uncompressed, the sound appears to be 2 channel stereo (ie. no center speaker output) and the light indicators on my Sony STR-5200ES show stereo. I talked to Crutchfield tech support and they said just select Dolby or DTS and go about my business. How should my reciever be set to take advantage of the PCM 5.1 coming from my Model 300 Sony Blu-ray?

Your Sony STR-DA5200ES is capable of 8 ch Linear PCM (7.1)...

so you must have something set wrong in the player or the reciever. Your player should be set to output PCM and your reciever should be set to "auto detect" or somthing similar...maybe even "direct"...im looking through the manual now, will post back..

crackinhedz · 08-15-2007, 11:05 PM

ok, I read something that may be your problem...pg.56 from user manual...

"HDMI Audio (Setting HDMI Audio Input)

TV+AMP-
The sound is output from TV's speakers and the speakers connected to the reciever.
NOTES: The sound quality of the playback component depends on the TV's sound quality, such as the number of channels, and the sampling frequency. When the TV has stereo speakers, the sound output from the reciever is also stereo as that of the TV, even if you play multi-channel software.

AMP-
The HDMI audio signal's from the playback component is only output to speakers connected to the reciever. Multi-channel sound can be played back as is."

....looks like you need to set your HDMI audio input to AMP.

08-15-2007, 09:06 PM	#1
jee Active Member Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Calgary, AB Canada Home Theater Gallery:34 4K collection:310 Blu-ray collection:2771 DVD collection:25 Blu-ray reviews:2	PCM sound Question Sorry for what is likely a very repetitive question. I have the Sony STR-K900 Reciever, which has 2 optical inputs, a coaxial and 2 HDMI. The HDMI Inputs are video only (acts as a switch that forces a maximum of 1080i), thus I dont use the hdmi on the receiver. I have my PS3 hooked up too the reciever with optical cable. My question is, does PCM 5.1 work with any or most 5.1 recievers? Or do you need the latest and greatest for it? When I enable PCM 5.1 as opposed to the regular DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1, the sound seems alot louder. But im curious, is it actually decoding the 5 channels properly or should I stick to the old DD and DTS soundtracks? Thanks in advance.

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08-15-2007, 09:18 PM	#2
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	PCM is not dialnormed to make compression and equalization easier, and is not compressed unlike DD or DTS 5.1 PCM will not go over anything but HDMI from the PS3, except as a 2-channel signal.

08-15-2007, 10:20 PM	#3
ClaytonMG Blu-ray Samurai Member since:May 2006 Location:New Brighton, MN Home Theater Gallery:16 4K collection:839 Blu-ray collection:2379 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	It really depends on the reciever. I recommend getting one with HDMI that will accept at least 5.1 PCM (if you can get 7.1 PCM, great, but if not the reciever will probably be able to apply Dolby Pro-Logic IIx to the PCM and that way you'll get matrixed 7.1 sound). But there are recievers out there, obviously, that have HDMI input but don't accept any audio, or only accept PCM 2.0. So it's important to see if the reciever first accepts PCM 5.1/7.1. If it does, then you'll be able to enjoy PCM audio and, if the player decodes it, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. Hope this helps!

08-15-2007, 10:32 PM	#5
Sport Junior Member Member since:Jun 2007	I am also using an HDMI from my player to my receiver. When I select PCM uncompressed, the sound appears to be 2 channel stereo (ie. no center speaker output) and the light indicators on my Sony STR-5200ES show stereo. I talked to Crutchfield tech support and they said just select Dolby or DTS and go about my business. How should my reciever be set to take advantage of the PCM 5.1 coming from my Model 300 Sony Blu-ray?

08-15-2007, 11:05 PM	#7
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	ok, I read something that may be your problem...pg.56 from user manual... "HDMI Audio (Setting HDMI Audio Input) TV+AMP- The sound is output from TV's speakers and the speakers connected to the reciever. NOTES: The sound quality of the playback component depends on the TV's sound quality, such as the number of channels, and the sampling frequency. When the TV has stereo speakers, the sound output from the reciever is also stereo as that of the TV, even if you play multi-channel software. AMP- The HDMI audio signal's from the playback component is only output to speakers connected to the reciever. Multi-channel sound can be played back as is." ....looks like you need to set your HDMI audio input to AMP.

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