Problem when using HDMI as the audio output

[w241072]

I think I should post it here, even it only happens when watching BD movies with PS3.

In the very beginning, I used optical interface as audio ouput to my AMP. However, I find that the sound quality is not that good if the output is 5.1 uncompressed.

Actually I am a little bit stupid in the beginning. My Onkyo AMP has HDMI in/out and it supports HDMI v1.1!

Then I connect the HDMI through the AMP (before I connected this directly to my LCD TV) and I can enjoy 5.1 PCM Multichannel now, and the sound quality is superb!

However, now I found there is another issue. If you set the BD audio setting as PCM instead of Bitstream (This is the default setting when you use HDMI as audio output), PS3 will send out PCM MCH no matter you use Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1!

I've asked my friend (he is using Denon AMP) and he has the same problem.

In order to use the correct decoding from PS3, you have to set the BD audio setting to Bitstream if you want to use Dolby 5.1 or DTS 5.1.

It seems to me that this is the problem similar to the video one (720p/1080i downconvert issue: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=3668 )

Anyway, I just want to see whether anyone has this issue or not.

Hope it can be fixed in the future firmware upgrade

[theknub]

this isn't an issue at all. it is how it actually works. bitstream is the only way to transfer the audio codec and let the amp itself do the decode.

[shido]

theknub is right. Selecting PCM means you're having the PS3 do the audio decoding instead of your receiver. That's why it's being sent out as uncompressed PCM. It's the same for any dvd player with this option, so there's nothing wrong with your PS3.

[w241072]

Originally Posted by shido

theknub is right. Selecting PCM means you're having the PS3 do the audio decoding instead of your receiver. That's why it's being sent out as uncompressed PCM. It's the same for any dvd player with this option, so there's nothing wrong with your PS3.

Thanks for the clarification

Does it mean that the sound quality is same as DD/DTS if I choose PCM in the PS3, as the PS3 will do all the audio codec change

[Blu-ray San]

So with all this audio talk, what is the best settings for the PS3 when hooked up to a surround sound system using the optical cable?


Also, my only issue with the audio settings is that you have to keep switching from HDMI to Optical o the Audio settings to change between the surround sound and TV. Doesn't just switch the sound to your stereo once you turn on your receiver and have your TV on mute.

[JBlacklow]

Originally Posted by w241072

Does it mean that the sound quality is same as DD/DTS if I choose PCM in the PS3, as the PS3 will do all the audio codec change

If you choose PCM in the PS3, it will decode whatever codecs it can and send it as PCM to your receiver. Right now, the PS3 can decode Dolby Digital(-EX) and DTS(-ES), as well as Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD. If you've got a receiver capable of handling multichannel PCM through HDMI (and it sounds like you do), then you want to set the PS3 to PCM. This ensures that you're not only getting the older codecs (DD and DTS), but the newer codecs (DD+. TrueHD, and hopefully in the future DTS-HD:Master) and uncompressed 5.1/7.1 PCM tracks as well. Despite the hype, you don't really need a HDMI 1.3 receiver if your player can decode the signal internally.

Originally Posted by Blu-ray San

So with all this audio talk, what is the best settings for the PS3 when hooked up to a surround sound system using the optical cable?

If you're using optical, then setting the PS3 to Bitstream is your best option. Unfortunately, either copy protection or bandwidth limits means that optical will only carry DD or DTS, not the newer codecs or uncompressed PCM. That being said, if you have a receiver that can handle PCM over HDMI, use it.

Also, my only issue with the audio settings is that you have to keep switching from HDMI to Optical o the Audio settings to change between the surround sound and TV. Doesn't just switch the sound to your stereo once you turn on your receiver and have your TV on mute.

Could you clarify this? I'm reading it as HDMI audio means HDMI video, and vice versa. However, you can set video to HDMI and audio to optical on the PS3, since they're separate settings, but if you're passing HDMI through the receiver, it needs to be on and set to the proper HDMI input before you turn on the PS3 to ensure proper "handshaking".

[Blu-ray San]

Originally Posted by JBlacklow

If you choose PCM in the PS3, it will decode whatever codecs it can and send it as PCM to your receiver. Right now, the PS3 can decode Dolby Digital(-EX) and DTS(-ES), as well as Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD. If you've got a receiver capable of handling multichannel PCM through HDMI (and it sounds like you do), then you want to set the PS3 to PCM. This ensures that you're not only getting the older codecs (DD and DTS), but the newer codecs (DD+. TrueHD, and hopefully in the future DTS-HD:Master) and uncompressed 5.1/7.1 PCM tracks as well. Despite the hype, you don't really need a HDMI 1.3 receiver if your player can decode the signal internally.

If you're using optical, then setting the PS3 to Bitstream is your best option. Unfortunately, either copy protection or bandwidth limits means that optical will only carry DD or DTS, not the newer codecs or uncompressed PCM. That being said, if you have a receiver that can handle PCM over HDMI, use it.

Could you clarify this? I'm reading it as HDMI audio means HDMI video, and vice versa. However, you can set video to HDMI and audio to optical on the PS3, since they're separate settings, but if you're passing HDMI through the receiver, it needs to be on and set to the proper HDMI input before you turn on the PS3 to ensure proper "handshaking".

Sorry, what I meant to say is, I have HDMI connected to my TV and optical to my receiver. Is there one setting on the PS3 to adjust so when I turn on my receiver with a movie for example, the audio goes to the surround as well as TV and all i'd have to do is mute the TV??

Right now, I have if I'm playing games/movies through my TV volume (HDMI), I have to go into Audio setting and select audio through optical to have the sound come through my surround speakers.