True Hd or PCM? - Blu-ray Forum

zoso0928 · 07-23-2009, 05:08 AM

Anyone have any thoughts? Is one better than the other?

JimShaw · 07-23-2009, 05:24 AM

Just watched a Blu that had both True HD and PCM on it. I went back and forth listening to both. They were very close to each other in AQ. If I had to choose, I would pick PCM but that does not mean on a different Blu the True DH wouldn't take the honor

neos_peace · 07-23-2009, 02:23 PM

From my expeirnce tre PCM track is the same as the True. It's just the PCM is already decoded from the player and sent to the reciever. (or am I confused by something else

)

repete66211 · 07-23-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoso0928

Anyone have any thoughts? Is one better than the other?

Theoretically, the audio quality should be identical, assuming PCM bitrates can be handled properly. Practically, the decoding of the TrueHD may have an effect on what you hear. Since PCM is "untouched" it should sound better, but listening modes can also be a factor in how you hear the soundtrack. My PS3 makes it impossible to make an A/B comparison so I can't give you any personal testimonial.

surfdude12 · 07-23-2009, 06:35 PM

dave matthews had both i think. i preferred PCM.

Pelican170 · 07-23-2009, 06:35 PM

Tons of threads on this stuff...

Another_Dude · 07-23-2009, 06:41 PM

From the tacked thread in Audio Discussion that explains all of this:

Theoretically, LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Master Audio should sound the same if they are encoded at the same number of bits and sampling frequency (16 bits, 48 KHz for example). Any difference that you may hear are due to channel volume differences.

Decoded Dolby TrueHD = Decoded DTS HD MA = Uncompressed LPCM

In the future, we will see less LPCM titles (especially at 24-bit, 96KHz, and 7.1-channels) since this will require a lot of disc space. TrueHD and DTS Master Audio are encoded at variable bit rate and compressed, leaving more disc space for better picture quality and more extras.

Badboyztn · 07-23-2009, 06:41 PM

Well for me... I have the 2008 release of Superman Returns, and on this blu, for me the PCM 5.1 track sounds better than the TrueHD track. The dialogue on the TrueHD track sounds muffled.

[1080-p] · 07-23-2009, 06:52 PM

i'll pick hd-audio

repete66211 · 07-23-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1080-p]

i'll pick hd-audio

They're both "HD audio".

Or were you joking?

JimShaw · 07-23-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badboyztn

Well for me... I have the 2008 release of Superman Returns, and on this blu, for me the PCM 5.1 track sounds better than the TrueHD track. The dialogue on the TrueHD track sounds muffled.

I have heard the same from others but so far, I have not noticed the muffling. But I will test it again and take notice

prankster · 07-23-2009, 07:13 PM

they should sound the same, but pcm is always louder for me. remember: louder =/= better

JimShaw · 07-23-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prankster

they should sound the same, but pcm is always louder for me. remember: louder =/= better

So, that's it!!!! That is why my Blus seem much better when my wife is gone for the day.

Deadset · 07-23-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimShaw

So, that's it!!!! That is why my Blus seem much better when my wife is gone for the day.

So you want to change her volume from TrueHD to mono?

Lucy Diamond · 07-23-2009, 07:49 PM

I'm sure there are excellent arguments for either side.

I prefer pcm, because on my system, I can hear better seperation.

I think we all would have benefited from a PCM standard world, because none of us would have needed new receivers to obtain lossless audio.

I really enjoy all of my TrueHD (only) discs and don't have the problem with it that some people seem to have. When given the choice, I will always use the PCM track through my multi-channel analog outs.

ditch-digger · 07-23-2009, 08:05 PM

300 has both, tried the same chapter multiple times switching between the two..

pcm much louder, especially in bass

true-hd more crisp from the center...

07-23-2009, 05:08 AM	#1
zoso0928 Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:219	True Hd or PCM? Anyone have any thoughts? Is one better than the other?

07-23-2009, 05:24 AM	#2
JimShaw Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Menifee, CA 4K collection:49 Blu-ray collection:1069 Trading Score:141	Just watched a Blu that had both True HD and PCM on it. I went back and forth listening to both. They were very close to each other in AQ. If I had to choose, I would pick PCM but that does not mean on a different Blu the True DH wouldn't take the honor Last edited by JimShaw; 07-23-2009 at 05:29 AM.

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07-23-2009, 02:23 PM	#3
neos_peace Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Shamokin Dam, Pa Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:279 Trading Score:1	From my expeirnce tre PCM track is the same as the True. It's just the PCM is already decoded from the player and sent to the reciever. (or am I confused by something else )

07-23-2009, 06:35 PM	#5
surfdude12 Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:343 Blu-ray reviews:112 Trading Score:1	dave matthews had both i think. i preferred PCM.

07-23-2009, 06:35 PM	#6
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:127 Blu-ray collection:735 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	Tons of threads on this stuff...

07-23-2009, 06:41 PM	#7
Another_Dude Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray collection:191 Blu-ray reviews:8	From the tacked thread in Audio Discussion that explains all of this: Theoretically, LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Master Audio should sound the same if they are encoded at the same number of bits and sampling frequency (16 bits, 48 KHz for example). Any difference that you may hear are due to channel volume differences. Decoded Dolby TrueHD = Decoded DTS HD MA = Uncompressed LPCM In the future, we will see less LPCM titles (especially at 24-bit, 96KHz, and 7.1-channels) since this will require a lot of disc space. TrueHD and DTS Master Audio are encoded at variable bit rate and compressed, leaving more disc space for better picture quality and more extras.

07-23-2009, 06:41 PM	#8
Badboyztn Active Member Member since:May 2009 Location:Memphis, TN. Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:111	Well for me... I have the 2008 release of Superman Returns, and on this blu, for me the PCM 5.1 track sounds better than the TrueHD track. The dialogue on the TrueHD track sounds muffled.

07-23-2009, 06:52 PM	#9
[1080-p] Banned Member since:Jan 2009 Location:house	i'll pick hd-audio

07-23-2009, 07:13 PM	#12
prankster Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:LA/OC, California Blu-ray collection:408	they should sound the same, but pcm is always louder for me. remember: louder =/= better

07-23-2009, 07:49 PM	#15
Lucy Diamond Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Tomb of Annihilation 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:3	I'm sure there are excellent arguments for either side. I prefer pcm, because on my system, I can hear better seperation. I think we all would have benefited from a PCM standard world, because none of us would have needed new receivers to obtain lossless audio. I really enjoy all of my TrueHD (only) discs and don't have the problem with it that some people seem to have. When given the choice, I will always use the PCM track through my multi-channel analog outs.

07-23-2009, 08:05 PM	#16
ditch-digger Active Member Member since:Jun 2009 Home Theater Gallery:62	300 has both, tried the same chapter multiple times switching between the two.. pcm much louder, especially in bass true-hd more crisp from the center...

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