PS3 and Onkyo 605 TrueHD Help

[Muad'Dib]

Ok so I looked around and found bits and pieces but not definitive answers, please help.

I have a PS3 and an Onkyo 605 (HDMI from PS3 to Onkyo & HDMI form Onkyo to TV) I'm playing Fifth Element Bluray on the PS3. What is the best sound setting on the PS3 bit stream or PC liner? How do I get the Dolby Digital TrueHD light to come on the Onkyo? (after selecting True HD on the Fifth Element Menu) and is this even the best sound possible? Bit stream I get the Dolby Digital light. On the PC setting I get PCM light.

Just looking for the best settings

Thanks for any advice.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Muad'Dib

How do I get the Dolby Digital TrueHD light to come on the Onkyo?

You cant. (or buy a bluray player with HD bitstream ability)

But if you set the PS3 to Linear PCM and select the Dolby TrueHD audio track it will show on the Receiver as Multichannel. This is normal. You are still hearing the Dolby TrueHD version.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Muad'Dib

Bit stream I get the Dolby Digital light. On the PC setting I get PCM light.

The PS3 cannot bitstream HD audio...but it will send the "core" audio as bitstream, and will display on the Onkyo as "Dolby Digital" or "Dts".

What the PS3 does when set to Linear PCM, is decodes the TrueHD audio first and sends to receiver as a PCM signal. And your Onkyo displays Multichannel PCM.

[Muad'Dib]

That’s cool. I don't know what it is about those lights on the receiver I just feel better when they come on.

I can't the DTS light to come on when watching a regular DVD in DTS. Is it the same for that as well? PCM is the catch all setting.

You anwsered my question thank you.

It looks like I'm getting the sound I paid for and want.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Muad'Dib

That’s cool. I don't know what it is about those lights on the receiver I just feel better when they come on.

I can't the DTS light to come on when watching a regular DVD in DTS. Is it the same for that as well? PCM is the catch all setting.

for regular Dts, you may want to set to Bitstream. (the PS3 can send standard 5.1 audio as bitstream)

you can toggle back and forth between Bitstream and Linear PCM when needed. During a movie...hit the triangle button and go to AV Settings

[Muad'Dib]

Sweet option.

Thanks for the tip. I was hoping I wouldn't have to keep switching back and forth in the PS3 menu. That makes it much easier.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Muad'Dib

Sweet option.

Thanks for the tip. I was hoping I wouldn't have to keep switching back and forth in the PS3 menu. That makes it much easier.

I leave my PS3 on Bitstream, and only when I listen to Dolby TrueHD do I change it to Linear PCM. (Uncompressed PCM tracks by default play in Linear PCM so it does not matter if you have it set on Bitstream, will automatically default to Linear PCM)

[Baseball3]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I leave my PS3 on Bitstream, and only when I listen to Dolby TrueHD do I change it to Linear PCM. (Uncompressed PCM tracks by default play in Linear PCM so it does not matter if you have it set on Bitstream, will automatically default to Linear PCM)

I am doing just the opposite. Do most discs not have either Uncompressed or TrueHD or some other high tech sound flavor that makes it best to just leave the PCM setting on full time? If you are watching mostly DVDs then sure leave it on bitstream but why do so otherwise? Ok, you are going to say the PS3 always forces PCM when available, correct? And, thusly leave it set to bitstream because you are always going to get a PCM signal when available even when the PS3 is set to bitstream. Have I learned a thing?

[Baseball3]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

I am doing just the opposite. Do most discs not have either Uncompressed or TrueHD or some other high tech sound flavor that makes it best to just leave the PCM setting on full time? If you are watching mostly DVDs then sure leave it on bitstream but why do so otherwise? Ok, you are going to say the PS3 always forces PCM when available, correct? And, thusly leave it set to bitstream because you are always going to get a PCM signal when available even when the PS3 is set to bitstream. Have I learned a thing?

Wait, you did say just that in your post that I quoted. So, as I mentioned before isn't setting to bitstream just like an auto setting? But not so when you have a TrueHD signal and if that is correct why the devil not? Why is it necessary/needful/important to set the PS3 to output PCM when listening to the TrueHD option/signal but not necessary/needful/important for the other fancy audio signals? Trying to learn , here!

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

Wait, you did say just that in your post that I quoted. So, as I mentioned before isn't setting to bitstream just like an auto setting? But not so when you have a TrueHD signal and if that is correct why the devil not? Why is it necessary/needful/important to set the PS3 to output PCM when listening to the TrueHD option/signal but not necessary/needful/important for the other fancy audio signals? Trying to learn , here!

ok, let me see if I can explain it in laymans term. (been drinkin and smokin watchin football tonight )

Most modern day receivers have the ability to post process standard 5.1 audio. By that I mean it can matrix Dolby Digital or Dts 5.1 into 6.1 or 7.1 surround sound. (Its not true 7.1, but why not use the channels if you have em.)

Now, if you set the PS3 to Linear PCM for everything...this converts your standard dd and dts into PCM signal. Unfortunately, most receivers cannot post process a PCM signal. Example being the Onkyo 605. So if you send it 5.1 standard Dolby Digital as a PCM signal, it will only play in 5.1.

Now, if you set the PS3 to Bitstream, it will send the standard audio to the Receiver and the Receiver will decode and can turn the 5.1 into 7.1.


Since the PS3 cannot decode Dts-HD MA, it is probably wise to send as bitstream so the 5.1 "core" can be matrixed into 7.1.


so look at it like this:

Dolby Digital = Bitstream
Dts = Bitstream
Dts-HD Master = Bitstream or Linear PCM (bitstream is ideal at moment)
Dolby TrueHD = Linear PCM
Uncompressed PCM = Bitstream or Linear PCM (automatically outputs as Linear PCM)


....so really the only thing you need to use Linear PCM for is Dolby TrueHD...everything else can stay bitstream. (or keep it Linear PCM for everything if you dont feel like changing back and forth)

[Baseball3]

but not the football. Baseball is the thinking man's game.

Being a baseball watching and thinking sort of man I have come to this conclusion: If all I have is a 5.1 system it matters not if I leave the PS3 set to PCM always. An erroneous conclusion or not?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

but not the football. Baseball is the thinking man's game.

Being a baseball watching and thinking sort of man I have come to this conclusion: If all I have is a 5.1 system it matters not if I leave the PS3 set to PCM always. An erroneous conclusion or not?

no, you're right. if you only have 5.1, then it doesnt even matter. Give it a try either way and see how you like? But Dolby TrueHD has to be Linear PCM.


EDIT: Baseballs my sport too. (cubs fan, for better or worse till death do me part)...but no baseball on TV now.

[Baseball3]

High school baseball starts in what is the coldest part of the year here in Georgia.

Is there anything I may notice or gain by leaving the PS3 set to bitstream rather than PCM given my 5.1 setup? I now understand the TrueHD will require the setting to be changed to PCM or just left there as I have it now.

Thanks for the help. You Cubs fans are, in fact, good for something!

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

Is there anything I may notice or gain by leaving the PS3 set to bitstream rather than PCM given my 5.1 setup?

you may "notice" some differences...so try it either way.

Theoretically there is no difference, but the receiver may handle PCM and Bitstream signals differently? so its more of personal taste.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Baseball3

You Cubs fans are, in fact, good for something!

...we're also good at catching foul balls that cost our teams an actual winning season.

[Baseball3]

that one day I will learn enough and be able to enjoy the PS3 and Onkyo 605. I spend more time learning and less time watching/listening.

Thanks for the help, cubs fan!

On to more questions/issues/concerns soon.