Best BD audio Codec - Blu-ray Forum

fragglerock585 · 12-15-2006, 03:56 AM

I have a PS3, which is one of the more versatile players as I understand. I am really into good audio, and I think this is a good time for some new gear. Before I jump in, I want to understand more about the audio codecs that get thrown around with little comparison ( I know its difficult as different releases use different codecs preventing apples/apples) but I am as of right now confused as to the differences between DTS-MA, DD True-HD and LPCM, besides the fact that they are from different companies and are all lossless. I think if I enable the cell to do the decoding, the PS3 will pass LPCM through the HDMI only. Otherwise, I choose bitstream and for high end codecs (non core) I need HDMI, not optical. I was looking at the Sony DG800. Any thoughts?

A little light on the situation?

Casey · 12-15-2006, 02:11 PM

well i dont think the dg800 can play those advanced audio codecs that you mentioned. it has hdmi switching, but doesnt look like it uses the audio from the hdmi, just passes it through

phranctoast · 12-15-2006, 02:56 PM

just make sure the reciever your looking for is hdmi 1.3 compatible. That way you could get the best audio from the ps3 to the reciever.

dobyblue · 12-15-2006, 03:34 PM

If the receiver has HDMI input for audio then you should get at least an HDMI 1.2 compatible receiver.
If it is just HDMI 1.1 then you will not be able to use the SACD functionality of the PS3, which is important if you love audio. SACD is breathtaking.
Your best bet is to look for the announcements made in one month at CES 2007 and see what's coming out from people like Pioneer. They should be announcing their HDMI 1.3 receivers.
Currently the PS3 can decode PCM and TrueHD into PCM, but not yet DTS-MA as far as I know.
If you have an HDMI 1.3 receiver that decodes TrueHD and DTS-MA then you don't need to look for that update from PS3 team. You can let your receiver do the work.
There's no reason to rush out and upgrade from HDMI 1.1 to HDMI 1.3 on a receiver if you already have HDMI 1.1 or 1.2, but if you're in the market for a new receiver, you might as well get the HDMI 1.3

fragglerock585 · 12-15-2006, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the advice on the reciever, but I am also wondering, more out of curiosity, as to how BD soundtrack formats compare, as in DTS-MA vs DD-True HD and LPCM. I have a Csci degree as well as a background in DSP. However, im finding it difficult to find a comparison of these new uncompressed formats.

dobyblue · 12-15-2006, 04:02 PM

As long as it has one of them, you're getting lossless studio master quality audio.

The DTS-MA and TrueHD require less room than LPCM as they use lossless compression, whereas the LPCM is uncompressed.

The former two also require licensing fees, whereas LPCM can be put on a disc with no fee.

With the room on the Blu-ray disc I personally prefer LPCM and DTS-MA over TrueHD, but that's more to do with personal preference than anything on the technical side. I've always been more keen on DTS than Dolby, so my preference is for DTS' new formats over Dolby's new formats.

12-15-2006, 03:56 AM	#1
fragglerock585 Member Member since:Nov 2006	Best BD audio Codec I have a PS3, which is one of the more versatile players as I understand. I am really into good audio, and I think this is a good time for some new gear. Before I jump in, I want to understand more about the audio codecs that get thrown around with little comparison ( I know its difficult as different releases use different codecs preventing apples/apples) but I am as of right now confused as to the differences between DTS-MA, DD True-HD and LPCM, besides the fact that they are from different companies and are all lossless. I think if I enable the cell to do the decoding, the PS3 will pass LPCM through the HDMI only. Otherwise, I choose bitstream and for high end codecs (non core) I need HDMI, not optical. I was looking at the Sony DG800. Any thoughts? A little light on the situation?

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12-15-2006, 02:11 PM	#2
Casey Special Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2006 Location:St. Louis, MO 4K collection:144 Blu-ray collection:493 DVD collection:11 Digital collection:269 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:113	well i dont think the dg800 can play those advanced audio codecs that you mentioned. it has hdmi switching, but doesnt look like it uses the audio from the hdmi, just passes it through

12-15-2006, 02:56 PM	#3
phranctoast Power Member Member since:Aug 2006 Location:Long Island, NY;psn:phranctoast Blu-ray collection:78	just make sure the reciever your looking for is hdmi 1.3 compatible. That way you could get the best audio from the ps3 to the reciever.

12-15-2006, 03:34 PM	#4
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	If the receiver has HDMI input for audio then you should get at least an HDMI 1.2 compatible receiver. If it is just HDMI 1.1 then you will not be able to use the SACD functionality of the PS3, which is important if you love audio. SACD is breathtaking. Your best bet is to look for the announcements made in one month at CES 2007 and see what's coming out from people like Pioneer. They should be announcing their HDMI 1.3 receivers. Currently the PS3 can decode PCM and TrueHD into PCM, but not yet DTS-MA as far as I know. If you have an HDMI 1.3 receiver that decodes TrueHD and DTS-MA then you don't need to look for that update from PS3 team. You can let your receiver do the work. There's no reason to rush out and upgrade from HDMI 1.1 to HDMI 1.3 on a receiver if you already have HDMI 1.1 or 1.2, but if you're in the market for a new receiver, you might as well get the HDMI 1.3

12-15-2006, 03:55 PM	#5
fragglerock585 Member Member since:Nov 2006	Thanks for the advice on the reciever, but I am also wondering, more out of curiosity, as to how BD soundtrack formats compare, as in DTS-MA vs DD-True HD and LPCM. I have a Csci degree as well as a background in DSP. However, im finding it difficult to find a comparison of these new uncompressed formats.

12-15-2006, 04:02 PM	#6
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	As long as it has one of them, you're getting lossless studio master quality audio. The DTS-MA and TrueHD require less room than LPCM as they use lossless compression, whereas the LPCM is uncompressed. The former two also require licensing fees, whereas LPCM can be put on a disc with no fee. With the room on the Blu-ray disc I personally prefer LPCM and DTS-MA over TrueHD, but that's more to do with personal preference than anything on the technical side. I've always been more keen on DTS than Dolby, so my preference is for DTS' new formats over Dolby's new formats.

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