PS3 doesnt need DTS HD MA OR TRUE HD reciever? SO what should i get instead?

[ngkf7]

I have the Sony DH700 (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH700...7562523&sr=8-1)

Works great with my PS3. Some of the specs aren't very impressive but for $200 it gets the job done. I too was looking at some pricier models at the time, but since the PS3 basically decodes everything, I couldn't pass up a deal like that (got mine for around $250 when it first came out).

Good luck!

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by ngkf7

I have the Sony DH700 (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH700...7562523&sr=8-1)

Works great with my PS3. Some of the specs aren't very impressive but for $200 it gets the job done. I too was looking at some pricier models at the time, but since the PS3 basically decodes everything, I couldn't pass up a deal like that (got mine for around $250 when it first came out).

Good luck!

Thanks, just check out a review and found that "the HDMI connections in the DH500 only carry video."

The video is fine, I am concerned with the audio, and still not 100% clear that the Optical cable is actually better than the HDMI. Maybe if I got a more powerful receiver, then I wouldn't have the 48kHz limits? I do need to do more reading... ie not sure whether PCM is better than Dolby , or whether my 6.1 set up is affected by 5.1 output option...

Dale

[Drew664]

I had a similar set up to you. This is what I did.

PS3 connected to the TV via HDMI (for video only)
PS3 connected to the AVR via optical (for sound only)

Then adjust your PS3 settings to apply the above. When watching movies, set everything to Bitstream. Worked for me, although I'm running low on sleep and I'm not 100% sure that is what you are even asking.

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by Drew664

I had a similar set up to you. This is what I did.

PS3 connected to the TV via HDMI (for video only)
PS3 connected to the AVR via optical (for sound only)

Then adjust your PS3 settings to apply the above. When watching movies, set everything to Bitstream. Worked for me, although I'm running low on sleep and I'm not 100% sure that is what you are even asking.

I tried this set up and I got the PCM 48 kHz... which was lest powerful than the RCA Cable. My ears are not expert, but I could barely recognize a difference in quality... just volume.

Question for you, how do I change to Bitstream? I am beginning to think the limitation is the receiver (48kHz thing)... I could just buy at Bestbuy to try it out, but Fixing all the wires is a pain!

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by macd1995

I tried this set up and I got the PCM 48 kHz... which was lest powerful than the RCA Cable. My ears are not expert, but I could barely recognize a difference in quality... just volume.

Question for you, how do I change to Bitstream? I am beginning to think the limitation is the receiver (48kHz thing)... I could just buy at Bestbuy to try it out, but Fixing all the wires is a pain!

What Drew posted is the connection setup that you want. Running optical directly from the PS3 to the receiver and setting it to bitstream will give you true discrete-channel Dolby Digital/DTS lossy surround sound without a middle-man (TV) possibly mucking up the audio. This, I believe, is the only way for you to get true surround sound with your setup.

RCA cables from the PS3 or from the TV to your receiver will only be transporting 2 channels of audio. The catch is that, at least from the PS3, it would be lossless audio, which is higher fidelity than lossy Dolby Digital, but you'll have fewer discrete channels of audio. You may still end up hearing some audio from the rear speakers if your receiver is matrixing the stereo to the surround channels, but that's not the discrete 5.1 or 6.1 mix from the disc, so it is arguably inferior. You can ignore the volume differences, as they don't matter in a level-matched comparison.

This is all somewhat confusing if you're not familiar with it, but here's the bottom line:

-- PS3 bitstream to receiver via optical connection = true discrete surround mix at slightly lower fidelity (due to lossy compression)
-- PS3 PCM to receiver via RCA connection = 2-channel stereo or matrixed surround sound at higher fidelity (due to lossless/no compression)

Personally, I think it's more important to get a true discrete surround mix given your choices.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by macd1995

I tried this set up and I got the PCM 48 kHz... which was lest powerful than the RCA Cable. My ears are not expert, but I could barely recognize a difference in quality... just volume.

Question for you, how do I change to Bitstream? I am beginning to think the limitation is the receiver (48kHz thing)... I could just buy at Bestbuy to try it out, but Fixing all the wires is a pain!

http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...diooutput.html

That might help to better understand what can be done with sound.

Now, to set it to Bitstream, the easiest way I know how is to start a movie with the PS3, then do the following:

- Press Triangle
- Locate 'AV Settings'
- Navigate to where you change from Linear PCM/Bitstream
- Change accordingly

This thread is also useful.*
https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-pl...bitstream.html

*That thread deals with Bitstream vs Linear PCM with an audio connection via HDMI. (not your case, but still good info to know)

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by Drew664

http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...diooutput.html

That might help to better understand what can be done with sound.

Now, to set it to Bitstream, the easiest way I know how is to start a movie with the PS3, then do the following:

- Press Triangle
- Locate 'AV Settings'
- Navigate to where you change from Linear PCM/Bitstream
- Change accordingly

This thread is also useful.*
https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-pl...bitstream.html

*That thread deals with Bitstream vs Linear PCM with an audio connection via HDMI. (not your case, but still good info to know)

Thanks for the note. I have played with the settings, and believe that problem I am having is that the output limit for the optical cable is 48kHZ for my receiver. I need to get a better understanding of PCM. I did inspect the sounds from the back speaker using RCA cables and Optical cable.... I still am only noticing a volume difference and not a quality difference. This is a bit frustrating because the contributors to this thread, who know much better than I do, indicate there should be a noticeable difference. MLB The Show 2010, sounded the same on both options... just louder with the RCA!

The bitstream commentary is helpful. I will try that tonight when I get home.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by macd1995

Thanks, just check out a review and found that "the HDMI connections in the DH500 only carry video."

The video is fine, I am concerned with the audio, and still not 100% clear that the Optical cable is actually better than the HDMI. Maybe if I got a more powerful receiver, then I wouldn't have the 48kHz limits? I do need to do more reading... ie not sure whether PCM is better than Dolby , or whether my 6.1 set up is affected by 5.1 output option...

48kHz is not your problem. 48kHz is the sampling rate used when the digital recording is made. The vast majority of movies are recorded at 48kHz to begin with, meaning you won't get any better audio with a receiver capable of handling 96kHz rates.

Since you cannout use HDMI for audio, you have two choices. You can use RCA connections, which will give you a stereo downmix. Or, you can use an optical connection, which can be be either stereo or discrete 5.1. If you set the PS3 output to PCM, then you will be limited to stereo because the S/PDIF protocol used with optical can only send two channels of PCM. However, if you set the PS3 to bitstream, it will send encoded multichannel audio (DD 5.1 or DTS, depending on the movie) to your receiver. That's clearly your best choice.

When the input to your receiver is stereo (RCA cables or PCM over optical ), you only get multichannel audio by applying a digital signal processing mode in the receiver - something like Dolby ProLogic II or DTS Neo:6. That extracts audio from the L/R channels and reroutes it to the other speakers. It's OK. But, matrixed surround will never be as enveloping as discrete 5.1. If you want to hear the soundtrack the way it was mixed, then you need to set the PS3 to bitstream using an optical connection.

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by BIslander

48kHz is not your problem. 48kHz is the sampling rate used when the digital recording is made. The vast majority of movies are recorded at 48kHz to begin with, meaning you won't get any better audio with a receiver capable of handling 96kHz rates.

Since you cannout use HDMI for audio, you have two choices. You can use RCA connections, which will give you a stereo downmix. Or, you can use an optical connection, which can be be either stereo or discrete 5.1. If you set the PS3 output to PCM, then you will be limited to stereo because the S/PDIF protocol used with optical can only send two channels of PCM. However, if you set the PS3 to bitstream, it will send encoded multichannel audio (DD 5.1 or DTS, depending on the movie) to your receiver. That's clearly your best choice.

When the input to your receiver is stereo (RCA cables or PCM over optical ), you only get multichannel audio by applying a digital signal processing mode in the receiver - something like Dolby ProLogic II or DTS Neo:6. That extracts audio from the L/R channels and reroutes it to the other speakers. It's OK. But, matrixed surround will never be as enveloping as discrete 5.1. If you want to hear the soundtrack the way it was mixed, then you need to set the PS3 to bitstream using an optical connection.

Wow... great explanations to a novice. Appreciate this. Follow up question if I may, is the bitstream only an option for movies or can I set this option for playing games on the PS3 (MLB the show!)? What about watching cable?

Should I connect the optical from the PS3 to the receiver and buy another optical cable for the Cable box? Additionally, I can potentially upgrade my receiver (in a month I will likely update the entire audio system), would HDMI output be better than the Optical cable.. I think the answer is yes?

The surround sound that I use currently is DTS Neo:6 and you have explained it quite well.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by macd1995

Follow up question if I may, is the bitstream only an option for movies or can I set this option for playing games on the PS3 (MLB the show!)? What about watching cable?

If the game has an encoded multichannel audio option, then bitstream is the way to go. With cable or satellite, you definitely want to use bitstream over optical in order to get discrete 5.1 on programs that have DD 5.1 soundtracks.

Should I connect the optical from the PS3 to the receiver and buy another optical cable for the Cable box?

Yes. You should run digital audio from each device to your receiver.

Additionally, I can potentially upgrade my receiver (in a month I will likely update the entire audio system), would HDMI output be better than the Optical cable.. I think the answer is yes?

It will be better for lossless audio on Blu-ray (TrueHD and dts-MA). While optical is limited to stereo PCM, HDMI can send all eight channels. But, there's no advantage to HDMI audio with cable TV and games because they don't have lossless audio. With non-lossless sources, HDMI makes for simpler cabling, but doesn't offer any audio improvement.

[macd1995]

Originally Posted by BIslander

If the game has an encoded multichannel audio option, then bitstream is the way to go. With cable or satellite, you definitely want to use bitstream over optical in order to get discrete 5.1 on programs that have DD 5.1 soundtracks.

Yes. You should run digital audio from each device to your receiver.

It will be better for lossless audio on Blu-ray (TrueHD and dts-MA). While optical is limited to stereo PCM, HDMI can send all eight channels. But, there's no advantage to HDMI audio with cable TV and games because they don't have lossless audio. With non-lossless sources, HDMI makes for simpler cabling, but doesn't offer any audio improvement.

Sounds really good. Just connected, thanks. I tried to do bitstream, but that was not an option. Can I only do that with Blueray discs? Although I have 6.1 the movies seem to play in 5.1. Does it make sense for me to by a 7.1 system? Help appreciated(!)

Thinking of Samsumg 46" LED, but not sure which Receiver makes sense. I am thinking $400-500 makes sense. Any suggestions/ favorites?

Thanks for all the help.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

@ macd1995

The following two posts were bang on the money for you. These are almost identical explanations to what caused my credit card to take a massive hit. Well worth it though since eargasms are a daily thing for me now.

Originally Posted by kefrank

What Drew posted is the connection setup that you want. Running optical directly from the PS3 to the receiver and setting it to bitstream will give you true discrete-channel Dolby Digital/DTS lossy surround sound without a middle-man (TV) possibly mucking up the audio. This, I believe, is the only way for you to get true surround sound with your setup.

RCA cables from the PS3 or from the TV to your receiver will only be transporting 2 channels of audio. The catch is that, at least from the PS3, it would be lossless audio, which is higher fidelity than lossy Dolby Digital, but you'll have fewer discrete channels of audio. You may still end up hearing some audio from the rear speakers if your receiver is matrixing the stereo to the surround channels, but that's not the discrete 5.1 or 6.1 mix from the disc, so it is arguably inferior. You can ignore the volume differences, as they don't matter in a level-matched comparison.

This is all somewhat confusing if you're not familiar with it, but here's the bottom line:

-- PS3 bitstream to receiver via optical connection = true discrete surround mix at slightly lower fidelity (due to lossy compression)
-- PS3 PCM to receiver via RCA connection = 2-channel stereo or matrixed surround sound at higher fidelity (due to lossless/no compression)

Personally, I think it's more important to get a true discrete surround mix given your choices.

Originally Posted by BIslander

48kHz is not your problem. 48kHz is the sampling rate used when the digital recording is made. The vast majority of movies are recorded at 48kHz to begin with, meaning you won't get any better audio with a receiver capable of handling 96kHz rates.

Since you cannout use HDMI for audio, you have two choices. You can use RCA connections, which will give you a stereo downmix. Or, you can use an optical connection, which can be be either stereo or discrete 5.1. If you set the PS3 output to PCM, then you will be limited to stereo because the S/PDIF protocol used with optical can only send two channels of PCM. However, if you set the PS3 to bitstream, it will send encoded multichannel audio (DD 5.1 or DTS, depending on the movie) to your receiver. That's clearly your best choice.

When the input to your receiver is stereo (RCA cables or PCM over optical ), you only get multichannel audio by applying a digital signal processing mode in the receiver - something like Dolby ProLogic II or DTS Neo:6. That extracts audio from the L/R channels and reroutes it to the other speakers. It's OK. But, matrixed surround will never be as enveloping as discrete 5.1. If you want to hear the soundtrack the way it was mixed, then you need to set the PS3 to bitstream using an optical connection.

[macd1995]

Agreed! This was very helpful and I think the sound is actual better than when I first started. My last question related to bitstream.. as I was not able to access it using AV setting per Drew664's suggestion. Not sure if that is only for Blueray disks. all the advice was really helpful... plus some of the suggested websites like:
http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...diooutput.html
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/...ide/index.html

Thanks!
Dale