Audio format comparisons

[Rike255]

Does anyone here know of a site where I can listen to all or some of the different audio (eg.: uncompressed PCM 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby TrueHD, etc.)? I want to hear the difference.

[WickyWoo]

Just put in a disc like Ghost Rider that has all of them

You won'tfind them on a website since most PCs don't have the codecs to read them

[Rike255]

Oh ok, good I have that one too. Thanks again!

[crackinhedz]

Rike, you'll need an HDMI capable receiver to hear Dolby TrueHD,Uncompressed PCM...etc.

I dont think your model "Sony AV Receiver STR-K900" will work.

[Rike255]

Really? It's got HDMI on it...maybe I should check my manual. Wow that kinda sucks, what am I hearing then when I play Ghost Rider in either audio format?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Rike255

Really? It's got HDMI on it...maybe I should check my manual. Wow that kinda sucks, what am I hearing then when I play Ghost Rider in either audio format?

Ok, well if it does have HDMI you might be ok...I didnt see it say hdmi when I looked at sonys website...

Your HDMI receiver has to handle multichannel PCM, and most receivers will display "Multichannel" when playing from a PCM source.


Ok, what you need to do is output the PS3 as Linear PCM:

Settings - BD/DVD Settings - BD / DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) - Linear PCM


Ok, now pop in Ghost Rider and select the Dolby TrueHD track...hit the "display" button on the PS3 dvd remote.

It should show you the audio codec being played ("Dolby TrueHD") and at what bitrate.

[Rike255]

Yes I am, but actually I didn't connect it to the HDMI port because I'm still waiting on another HDMI cable.

I have the audio through TOS-Link optical and the video through HDMI, until I get my other HDMI cable that is.

I just always assumed it was working because I heard stuff. It sounds different depending on what I choose...wow I never knew that it had to be through HDMI.

[dannyjl]

I've been wondering the same thing. Since it is not possible for a side by side comparison for many audio formats, the next best thing would be to have a list comparing each. I know there are many well informed audiophiles here who could help put this in order. I guess at the bottom of the list would be mp3 - care to take it from here?

[crackinhedz]

Looking at the manual, it doesnt look like it is multichannel PCM capable through the HDMI input...I do see it has 5.1 analog input which would work, but the ps3 doesnt output in analog.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Ok, well if it does have HDMI you might be ok...I didnt see it say hdmi when I looked at sonys website...

Your HDMI receiver has to handle multichannel PCM, and most receivers will display "Multichannel" when playing from a PCM source.


Ok, what you need to do is output the PS3 as Linear PCM:

Settings - BD/DVD Settings - BD / DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) - Linear PCM


Ok, now pop in Ghost Rider and select the Dolby TrueHD track...hit the "display" button on the PS3 dvd remote.

It should show you the audio codec being played ("Dolby TrueHD") and at what bitrate.

So that means for sure I need to have the receiver hooked up to HDMI on the PS3 to get Dolby TrueHD and/or PCM? TOS-Link won't work? I'll try it as soon as my second HDMI cable comes in. Thank you.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Rike255

I just always assumed it was working because I heard stuff. It sounds different depending on what I choose...wow I never knew that it had to be through HDMI.

Optical is not capable of passing lossless audio, what you are hearing is called the "core" extension. This will often sound amazing because it is coming from a pristine Lossless source. But what you get through optical is "lossy" because it has to be compressed so much.

[Rike255]

I've been living a lie all this time...thank you for explaining I'm definitely can't wait to see what the difference is like when I'm not using an optical cable anymore.

[lnb]

Rike ... if i am correct, your receiver is part of a "home theatre in a box"? If so, there is a good chance that the hdmi input will not decode audio at all - had this experience already.
To test connect the hdmi you do have to the receiver, put in a disk and listen for the playback (i know video will not be output to tv so just listen) is you hear something then forget i said anything, if not - sorry to say you may need to wait until you next unit to experience the lossless

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Rike255

I've been living a lie all this time...thank you for explaining I'm definitely can't wait to see what the difference is like when I'm not using an optical cable anymore.

I dont want to burst your bubble, but even though your receiver has an HDMI input, it didnt look like (when reading the manual) that its capable of Multichannel PCM via the HDMI. So you may or may not get lossless audio, I guess you'll have to wait to try it out, but the specs didnt say it would.

Now, you do have 5.1 analog inputs on the back of your receiver, this would be another way to hear lossless audio, unfortunately the PS3 cannot output in 5.1 analog. Other bluray ray players can, but the PS3 does not.

Again, you will have to try it out, but dont get your hopes up, im pretty sure your receiver wont allow you to hear the real Dolby TrueHD track. sorry.

[Rike255]

Originally Posted by lnb

Rike ... if i am correct, your receiver is part of a "home theatre in a box"? If so, there is a good chance that the hdmi input will not decode audio at all - had this experience already.
To test connect the hdmi you do have to the receiver, put in a disk and listen for the playback (i know video will not be output to tv so just listen) is you hear something then forget i said anything, if not - sorry to say you may need to wait until you next unit to experience the lossless

Ya it didn't work. I hooked it up and nothing... well damn oh well I guess it's better to know. I'm glad I didn't go around bragging about it hehe. So I guess I'll have to start reading up on everything and see if I can find a new one that will work. Thanks again guys.

[crackinhedz]

Entry Level HDMI Receivers:

Sony STR-DG910 ($330)

Onkyo TX-SR605 ($400)

Yamaha RX-V661 ($500)



These are all very good entry level systems...all HDMI 1080p/Lossless Audio capable.

These are a good start if you want to hear Dolby TrueHD.

[Rike255]

I was looking at that Sony one earlier but I didn't see Dolby TrueHD in the audio specs. Does it say it somewhere else or go under another name or something?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Rike255

I was looking at that Sony one earlier but I didn't see Dolby TrueHD in the audio specs. Does it say it somewhere else or go under another name or something?

well, the PS3 decodes Dolby TrueHD internally and sends it to the receiver as a PCM signal. So all you need is a HDMI (1.1 or higher) Receiver to listen to lossless audio.

[didihala]

Quick question...

1) Aren't Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA both "lossless" audio? I have seen people say the only "lossless" audio is uncompressed PCM thrugh HDMI cable.

2) The non-HD version of DTS (DTS-ES, Neo, etc.) has much better quality than non-HD Dolby (DD, DD-EX, etc.). Is then true to assume that DTS-HD MA quality is better than Dolby True-HD? Has anyone tested this?

TIA

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

well, the PS3 decodes Dolby TrueHD internally and sends it to the receiver as a PCM signal. So all you need is a HDMI (1.1 or higher) Receiver to listen to lossless audio.

That is assuming the receiver supports the feature. Just because it has HDMI1.x, doesn't mean that they utilize all the specs of that level.

Look at Arcams receivers that support HDMI, the company doesn't believe the HDMI is a good platform for audio so they disable even 2-channel audio over hdmi and only allow video. I am guessing at some point they will have to change their stance when HiDef players become more the standard and more and more people want to get use of the full audio features of their players. But then, maybe they still do well with the high end crowd that will say that letting the player decode and output over 5.1 (or 7.1) analog is a better way to go over HDMI due to jitter etc.

So be sure to check out the receiver features the receiver will supports as well as the level of HDMI.