2ch pcm or dolby/dts 5.1

[stow123]

I havent got an up to date reciever so can only use optical so would it be best to listen to 2 channel pcm or a surround track in dts and dolby.I think the ps3 can play a 1.5mps dts track using a reciever with optical is there much difference between dts on a dvd player about 700kbs and 1.5mbs.Also even if you arnt using hdmi and just listening in the basic way and still only getting 1.5mps from it does a HD dts track sound better than a normal dts track even if youre still listening at the same bit rate.

[Kratos3]

I think it's hard to beat a movie in 5.1 vs. 2 ch. PCM. I also have an older receiver with only optical and much prefer surround to stereo.

[stow123]

Originally Posted by Kratos3

I think it's hard to beat a movie in 5.1 vs. 2 ch. PCM. I also have an older receiver with only optical and much prefer surround to stereo.

i think pcm packs such a punch though even in 2ch would love to hear it in surround

[DutchBoy]

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but many times when I'm watching mine I will opt for PCM (2-channel) and just let the receiver matrix it out to all my speakers. While discrete 5.1 might be better, to me, the other sounds better at times.

Each to their own. Try 'em both and go with what you like.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

5.1 will beat 2 channel ANY day! Even PCM 2.0 matrixed to 5.1 doesn't compare to an actual 5.1 track. The rear satellites of a matrixed stereo signal lack severe positional integrity EVERYTIME I hear it. PCM may be louder, but that isn't what surround sound is all about.

[Big Daddy]

Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS:Neo do a pretty good job of converting 2 channel audio to 5.1 or 7.1. It all depends on the sensitivty of your ears and the quality of your audio system. Read my thread on Home Theater Audio CODECs:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=41820

[stow123]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS:Neo do a pretty good job of converting 2 channel audio to 5.1 or 7.1. It all depends on the sensitivty of your ears and the quality of your audio system. Read my thread on Home Theater Audio CODECs:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=41820

When you say it converts it to 5.1 though you mean its just sending the same sound to the other speakers its not an actual surround track its a tricky one really

[sean10mm]

Originally Posted by stow123

When you say it converts it to 5.1 though you mean its just sending the same sound to the other speakers

That's not really correct. Your left front speaker doesn't get the same signal as your left rear speaker, for instance...it's modified to create a surround effect.

Pro Logic IIx and DTS Neo don't just send the same sound to the other speakers. They process the signal to give you a fair simulation of 5.1 surround from a 2 channel source.

[sean10mm]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

5.1 will beat 2 channel ANY day! Even PCM 2.0 matrixed to 5.1 doesn't compare to an actual 5.1 track. The rear satellites of a matrixed stereo signal lack severe positional integrity EVERYTIME I hear it. PCM may be louder, but that isn't what surround sound is all about.

The point of PCM isn't that it's louder, but that it's higher quality. To get true 5.1 over optical you comromise quality to get more channels. Either way it's a trade-off.

Hence HDMI, so you can get PCM 7.1, DTS-HD MA and TrueHD and not have to compromise.

[stow123]

Originally Posted by sean10mm

The point of PCM isn't that it's louder, but that it's higher quality. To get true 5.1 over optical you comromise quality to get more channels. Either way it's a trade-off.

Hence HDMI, so you can get PCM 7.1, DTS-HD MA and TrueHD and not have to compromise.

Oh and the hdmi recievers are free?! oh great i'll go pick mine up tomorrow

[cajmoyper]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

5.1 will beat 2 channel ANY day! Even PCM 2.0 matrixed to 5.1 doesn't compare to an actual 5.1 track. The rear satellites of a matrixed stereo signal lack severe positional integrity EVERYTIME I hear it. PCM may be louder, but that isn't what surround sound is all about.

Second. Great explanation.

[chriharr]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

5.1 will beat 2 channel ANY day! Even PCM 2.0 matrixed to 5.1 doesn't compare to an actual 5.1 track. The rear satellites of a matrixed stereo signal lack severe positional integrity EVERYTIME I hear it. PCM may be louder, but that isn't what surround sound is all about.

Actually it does compare, and what we are comparing here is a direct bitstream digital surround sound signal VS an analogue 2 channel PCM signal that has been re-encoded by the receiver into Dolby Pro-logic 1/2 etc.

now we all know a direct signal is better than a virtual one.

but for people that aren't in the financial position to go out and buy a new 7.1ch HDMI reciever capable of playing HD audio formats as well as 7.1ch PCM tracks, it's a matter of using what you've got to the best of your ability.

I have a 7 year old Pioneer 5.1ch receiver which doesn't even have Optical it has a Coax port as well as a couple of Stereo RCA jacks, it is still a great system, sure it won't decode lossless & 8 channel PCM tracks, but it still sounds great matrixing 2ch PCM into Dolby Pro-logic.

I will upgrade the Receiver and possibly speakers as well in the next 3 years

I have to hold an Amp for at least 10 years, since the ones I always get are expensive and don't need to be updated for a long time