DTS-HD MA VS. DTS-HD MA (bitstream)

[CrazyEightyNine]

I have the Yamaha RX-V863 and was trying to figure out which Blu-ray player would be the best suited for me. On this website, under specifications, They have both DTS-HD MA, DTS-HD MA (bitstream) as well as Dolby TrueHD, Dolby TrueHD (bitstream); Which one is better, bitstream or not? And what is specifically needed to get the best sound from my receiver?

[BStecke]

It really shouldn't matter whether you send the audio to the receiver via bitstream or have the player decode it and send it as LPCM.

That being said, the best player option in many people's eyes is the PS3. If you don't want to do that, but you want the latest and greatest as far as features, you'd be better to wait for the Panasonic BD50 which comes out next month or the new Sony players that release this summer as well.

The PS3 can't send HDMA or TrueHD as bitstream, but it decodes both and sends them as PCM. The Sony 350 and the Panasonic 50 will both send the audio via bitstream (the 50 also decodes, if I remember right), and the higher end Sony (550, I think) decodes as well.

The PS3 has the obvious benefits of not being just a BD player, and it's constantly being improved. The Panasonic and both of the new Sonys are BD-Live capable, so you don't have to sacrifice using any of the features that will be coming.

[CrazyEightyNine]

So what is PCM exactly? I was told it is not as good as Dolby TrueHD and DTS: MA

[BStecke]

There are PCM tracks on Sony/Disney Blu-rays that are uncompressed audio tracks. They're the master audio track. Then there's HDMA and TrueHD, which are lossless codecs that are basically the master audio track but compressed, but they're still identical, bit for bit, to the master. TrueHD = HDMA = PCM.

[CrazyEightyNine]

Now I want the best possible audio out there. So do you think it would be wise for me to choose the PS3 or wait for the Sony BDP-550 that comes at the end of the year? Could I even hear a difference between bitstream and non-bitstreamed?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

Now I want the best possible audio out there. So do you think it would be wise for me to choose the PS3 or wait for the Sony BDP-550 that comes at the end of the year? Could I even hear a difference between bitstream and non-bitstreamed?

The difference between "bitstream" and "non-bitstream" is this...

Bitstream = the Blu-ray player sends the signal to the receiver and lets the receiver do all of the translation work from digital information to audible sound. PS3 cannot bitstream HD audio codecs.

Non-bitstream = the Blu-ray player does the work to convert the digital information into audible sound and sends it to the receiver so that it can pass the signal straight to the speakers. PS3 does this and sends the signal out as PCM all of the time (receiver won't show sound as DTS HD MA or TrueHD but it's exactly the same as the chosen track is meant to sound).

So, essentially you won't really be able to tell the difference between bitstreamed and non-bitstreamed audio unless your player or receiver is complete and utter garbage. Those are on the market yet. The chinese haven't entered the market.

[BStecke]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

Now I want the best possible audio out there. So do you think it would be wise for me to choose the PS3 or wait for the Sony BDP-550 that comes at the end of the year? Could I even hear a difference between bitstream and non-bitstreamed?

It really shouldn't make THAT much difference. I'm KIND OF of the opinion that, unless you have a really high end player, the receiver is going to have better quality components to decode a bitstream signal, rather than having the player decode and send as PCM. BUT, I have no complaints whatsoever in regards to audio quality from the PS3.

[CrazyEightyNine]

So if I purchased a PS3, my receiver would display only PCM every time I was hearing lossless sound?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

So if I purchased a PS3, my receiver would display only PCM every time I was hearing lossless sound?

That is correct... but it will be playing whatever the track as it would sound if it was showing up as DTS HD MA or TrueHD on your receiver. With the PS3, pushing the select button on the controller brings up an onscreen display that will tell you the actual codec playing at the top.

[CrazyEightyNine]

Oh ok gotcha! Well thanks to the both of you for answering my questions!

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

Oh ok gotcha! Well thanks to the both of you for answering my questions!

That's what we are here for. Are you considering a PS3? Do you have any specific question about it that I may be able to expand on?

[CrazyEightyNine]

Do you know when the 40gb will come with a DualShock controller? Because I'd rather not buy the 80gb.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

Do you know when the 40gb will come with a DualShock controller? Because I'd rather not buy the 80gb.

Haven't heard anything along that front yet myself. Have you researched the difference between the two models? Are you fully aware of what's lacking from the 40GB?

[CrazyEightyNine]

As far as I know it's not backwards compatible (could care less) as well as it doesn't come with any games or a DualShock controller

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

As far as I know it's not backwards compatible (could care less) as well as it doesn't come with any games or a DualShock controller

-The 40GB only has 2 USB ports on the front instead of 4 (useful if Rock Band is in your sights for the future). Or if you need to have more than 2 players playing with USB cables plugged in (batteries are dead).

-The 80GB has memory card slots on the front. These are really handy if people want to show you pics, just have them give you the card out of their camera and BOOM! Big screen slideshow! Also, they can be used for any type of data transfer/storage/back-up as well. If you need to transfer something from computer to PS3 and don't have any other way, just pull the card out of your camera and voila.

-Obviously, you can store more media files on the 80GB... makes for a great MP3 collection at your disposal that can run through the sound system at the touch of a button.

Those are the main differences. It sounds like you are pretty much set on a PS3 though?

[CrazyEightyNine]

It's still up in the air. I can get a pretty good discount on the BDP-550 when it comes out so that's kinda swaying me back and forth.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

It's still up in the air. I can get a pretty good discount on the BDP-550 when it comes out so that's kinda swaying me back and forth.

How good a deal though? If it's still over $350, the multimedia aspects of the PS3 80GB still blows that away for its price considering it does all the same stuff AND you'd gain the ability to now have access to all of the great exclusive games available on both platforms (I noticed that you have an Xbox360 ).

EDIT: How exactly are you playing your Blu-rays now??? I just noticed you have a Blu-ray count, but no Blu-ray player.

[CrazyEightyNine]

Well I can get the BDP-S500 for around $300 from where I work So when the 550 comes out I'm sure it should be either that price or less. But yeah, I have my Sony Vaio Laptop which works fine for a Blu-ray player right now. I just want one that supports lossless audio (which it doesn't).

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CrazyEightyNine

Well I can get the BDP-S500 for around $300 from where I work. So yeah, I have my Sony Vaio Laptop which works fine for a Blu-ray player right now. I just want one that supports lossless audio (which it doesn't).

Ah, yes... that would set me on the "path of sway" as well. Well, all the best in your decision! If you have any other questions... you know where to be asking!

[CrazyEightyNine]

Thanks again Petra! I'm gonna go my GTA IV on right now!