Ratatouille, why DD 5.1 sounds better PCM 5.1?

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by Gizmo99

Receiver: Yamaha Rx-v1800
Player : PS3
Connection: PS3 to Receiver over HDMI (HDMI 1.3)

My PS3 is set to BitStream in BluRay Audio Setting Menu. Watching the movie in DD 5.1 (turned it on through the BD disc) was much better (louder, pronounced and more clear) than when I turned on PCM from the BluRay Disc. Why is that? I thought PCM sounded much more superior than DD?

However, I tried changing the PS3 setting to LPCM (instead of bitstream) and turn on PCM from the BluRay Disc. The sound was pretty much but not as good as DD.

Outcome:

Ps3 set to PCM + BluRay Disc set to PCM = Pretty good
Ps3 set to BitStream + BluRay Disc set to PCM = weak
Ps3 set to PCM + BluRay Disc set to DD = weak
Ps3 set to BitStream + BluRay set to DD = The best

Question:

When both PS3 and Disc are matched (DD to DD , PCM to PCM). It sounded okay. But what does it mean when its mixed? Ie: when PS3=Bitstream and BD=PCM ? or when PS3=PCM and BD=DD ?


Also, what setting on the PS3 should I leave it to
Thanks

Lossless audio tracks will generally sound fuller, with much smoother treble and mid bass than Dolby Digital bitstream tracks. Conversely, Dolby Digital will sound a bit harsher, which might at first sound more dynamic or louder.

The ideal setting for your setup would be to set the PS3 audio settings to PCM, and choose either 5.1 PCM tracks or Dolby TrueHD tracks from the Blu-ray menu when available. Just turn your receiver up a bit and hopefully you'll realize the difference from DD 5.1 after your ears become accustomed to the change.

Here's the list you had above:

Ps3 set to PCM + BluRay Disc set to PCM = Ideal settings, lossless audio will match film master soundtrack
Ps3 set to BitStream + BluRay Disc set to PCM = PS3 decodes as 2 ch. PCM, then Yamaha decodes with Dolby Pro Logic IIX, the non-discrete surround format. It sucks.
Ps3 set to PCM + BluRay Disc set to DD = PS3 decodes lossy DD track to 2 channel PCM. Yamaha decodes with Dolby Pro Logic IIX. See above.
Ps3 set to BitStream + BluRay set to DD = Matches lossy compressed audio from DVD. Harsher midrange and treble with less dynamic range than linear PCM or Dolby TrueHD.

In a nutshell, keep your PS3 set to PCM, and always choose DolbyTrue HD or PCM 5.1 from your Blu-ray audio menu. Don't choose DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, because your PS3 cannot yet decode them.