PS3 Slim Bitstream Setup Problem

[Iain]

Hello, I just upgraded to the new PS3 (sold the old one on ebay!) to get the capability to bitstream DTS-MA and TrueHD. The problem is that I am not able to get this system to work with my Harman/Kardon AVR 254 receiver. I spoke to people at both HK and Sony and neither could help me. I am connecting through HDMI (obviously) and can't figure out what to uncheck and check in the audio set up. Can anyone with more expertise on the subject help me? I have tried every configuration possible but with no luck.

Thanks in advance,

Iain

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hello, I just upgraded to the new PS3 (sold the old one on ebay!) to get the capability to bitstream DTS-MA and TrueHD. The problem is that I am not able to get this system to work with my Harman/Kardon AVR 254 receiver. I spoke to people at both HK and Sony and neither could help me. I am connecting through HDMI (obviously) and can't figure out what to uncheck and check in the audio set up. Can anyone with more expertise on the subject help me? I have tried every configuration possible but with no luck.

Thanks in advance,

Iain

You have to switch the audio mode to Bitstream... that's all..

[crackinhedz]

Settings - Video Settings - BD / DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) - Bitstream

[BozQ]

Also make sure you are using a HDMI 1.3 cable.
HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 will not work.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by BozQ

Also make sure you are using a HDMI 1.3 cable.
HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 will not work.

There is no such thing as HDMI 1.3 cable. HDMI 1.3 refers to the HDMI output on the player and the input on the receiver. Both PS3 and Harman/Kardon AVR 254 are HDMI 1.3 compatible.

You need to make sure your cable is Category 2 certified. Even if it is not Categoty 2 certified, it may still work.

[Semp1]

1.3 means nothing as long as the cable is under 15ft it will 100% work. Also if it's over this length it still might work 1.3 means absolutely nothing when it comes to the cable. People have to stop throwing false info around like it's true. What matters is the amount of info that can pss through for ex. how many gb's it can pass through without losing any quality in Audio or Video.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

There is no such thing as HDMI 1.3 cable. HDMI 1.3 refers to the HDMI output on the player and the input on the receiver. Both PS3 and Harman/Kardon AVR 254 are HDMI 1.3 compatible.

You need to make sure your cable is CL2 certified. Even if it is not CL2 certified, it may still work.

Actually, CL2 (Class 2) is the electrical code for "in-wall installation for residential dwellings" and just means the outer sheathing is rated to not burn (as quickly) as non-CL2 cables.

I think what Big Daddy means is that you want an HDMI cable that is "Category 2" or "High Speed." These are designed to pass a 1600p signal, which is obviously more than enough for our current 1080p systems.

As an FYI, a Category 1 cable is designed to only pass a 720p/1080i signal, however, over short distances, you may successfully pass your 1080p signal. If you start to get sparkles, pixelation, or no signal, then you know you need to upgrade to a Category 2 cable.

For long distances, a heavy gauge (lower AWG number) Category 2 cable will work wonders.

As others have said, 1.3a/b/c is the standard that the connectors need to adhere to, not the cable itself. However, an interesting fact is that the 1.3 version helped define the differences between the Category 1 and 2 cables.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hello, I just upgraded to the new PS3 (sold the old one on ebay!) to get the capability to bitstream DTS-MA and TrueHD. The problem is that I am not able to get this system to work with my Harman/Kardon AVR 254 receiver. I spoke to people at both HK and Sony and neither could help me. I am connecting through HDMI (obviously) and can't figure out what to uncheck and check in the audio set up. Can anyone with more expertise on the subject help me? I have tried every configuration possible but with no luck.

Thanks in advance,

Iain

Have you upgraded your firmware on that receiver? I had all sorts of audio sync issues with that receiver and ps3 even after updating receiver's firmware and lip sync. I can't imagine the bitstreaming being any better. I ended up selling that receiver. It was sent in for repairs also less than 2 years. Make sure your firmware is up to date otherwise it most likely isn't something that will be fixed till hk puts out a firmware to fix it.

[showanddrift]

i have the same problem and I am using the slim with the pioneer sc 05. During start up of certain movies there is no sound and i have to toggle from pcm and bitstream to get it to bitstream. the pcm mode never has a problem. I haven't tried pausing and unpausing. it must be a glitch that can be fixed in the firmware.

[Big Daddy]

Bitstreaming does not really offer any adavantages. I have the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player. It can bitstream HD audio, but I intentionally set it to PCM. It is a lot more convenient and the audio is as good as bitstreaming.

For additional information, read A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. It has a sticky in Audio Theory & Discussions. Scroll about half way down and you will find a detailed discussion of bitstreaming. This is a short paragraph from there:

The downside to sending the advanced audio codecs in native bitstream is that you can only send the movie soundtrack itself. Any secondary content, like menu beeps or the audio that accompanies Picture-in-Picture interactive features is not part of the original bitstream and will not be transmitted. Audio commentaries and alternative-language audio may also be affected, depending on how the disc was authored. The only way to send the additional content is by allowing the disc player to perform the audio decoding itself, during which the player mixes the new material on top of the movie soundtrack for transmission in either PCM or analog format.

[STARSCREAM]

I went back in tonight and reset from bitstream to PCM. I tested both on Transformers and there was no difference so I'm gonna stick with PCM as it works very well with no problems.