LPCM, TrueHd and DTS-MA on a PS3

[Paden]

I played X-Men the other day and really noticed the difference in using DTS-MA. Tonight we watched 300 and it has a TrueHD track. We use a PS3 and the TrueHD track didn't hold a candle to the PCM track. I thought they were supposed to be basically the same?

Do I need to change some setting on the PS3?

[Lucy Diamond]

Hmmmm

I only use my PS3 as a BD player once in a while, but I'm pretty sure it will just mix to PCM won't it???

Aren't the TrueHD and DTS-MA tracks still smaller then PCM???

They are all lossless, but PCM would technically be the purest.

I dunno...I'm just free ballin' it here.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Paden

I played X-Men the other day and really noticed the difference in using DTS-MA. Tonight we watched 300 and it has a TrueHD track. We use a PS3 and the TrueHD track didn't hold a candle to the PCM track. I thought they were supposed to be basically the same?

Do I need to change some setting on the PS3?

Nope... you don't need to change anything. People keep talking about how they are all the same. But, to me (and I have a very objective mind), ANY Dolby track has always sounded a bit flat compared to PCM and DTS equivalents. Both PCM and DTS seem to have found a way to give depth to soundtracks that continuously eludes the gang at Dolby.

Now, this is obviously just my own personal preference and personal opinion. There are many who will chime in with "THEY ARE ALL EXACTLY THE SAME!" But, if that were the case, then why do these companies spend so much time and effort "maximizing their own sound codecs"? That obviously means that they are all still vying for the green from the studios!!!

[crackinhedz]

you should have the PS3 HDMI Audio output set to Linear PCM.

Is that how you have it set?

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

you should have the PS3 HDMI Audio output set to Linear PCM.

Is that how you have it set?

YES SIR! And its AWEsome.

[mikenike]

Well of course PCM will sound great. It's as close to the master as we consumers can get. DTS tend to sound great because their mixers focus on exactly that: the mix. Dolby is great because it's efficient, universal, and saves space. But like others have said (yes, this is a friendly jab at you, Petra), they're all the same... in quality that is. Mix-wise, maybe not so much, that's just opinion.

[Paden]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

you should have the PS3 HDMI Audio output set to Linear PCM.

Is that how you have it set?

Yes.

The MBPS of the TrueHD is about 1/2 the PCM track.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Paden

Yes.

The MBPS of the TrueHD is about 1/2 the PCM track.

The sample rate and bit depth may be affecting things as well. I noticed that the PCM track for 300 lists these as (48kHz, 16-bit), maybe the TrueHD track is downsampled in some way?

I've noticed what you did- that on discs with both, the PCM track sounds better. Could make a difference if you had you PS3 set to bitsream rather than linear PCM, but you've confirmed that's not the case. Did you select all the audio options in the setup menu? I noticed when I first got my PS3 that it was only outputting stereo by default. I had to go back and select all the 5.1 options, etc.

[Paden]

Originally Posted by rogman

The sample rate and bit depth may be affecting things as well. I noticed that the PCM track for 300 lists these as (48kHz, 16-bit), maybe the TrueHD track is downsampled in some way?

I've noticed what you did- that on discs with both, the PCM track sounds better. Could make a difference if you had you PS3 set to bitsream rather than linear PCM, but you've confirmed that's not the case. Did you select all the audio options in the setup menu? I noticed when I first got my PS3 that it was only outputting stereo by default. I had to go back and select all the 5.1 options, etc.

I've got most things set to automatic and that seems to work. Everything is robust with the PCM track and flat with TrueHD. My guess is your first statement above is probably accurate. I'm assuming the track is just dumbed down on this particular movie. Since TrueHD is supposed to be output at PCM at approximately the same as PCM, I'm still thinking I might be missing something.

I'll check others to see if the same thing happens.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Paden

Everything is robust with the PCM track and flat with TrueHD.

You should also have "Dynamic Range Control" turned off.

Maybe this is whats causing the flatness?

[ryoohki]

When the PS3 decode TrueHD it lower the DB by 4, witch is lower and thus you think it's crappier because it's not the same level. Just how DTS is 4db louder on DVD, most people think it's way better while it's just Louder. To do a real comparison you'll have to compensate. Of course DTS 1.5mbits will have a little better sound than 640kbps for the sake of 24bits.

When you bitstream, there's no such thing...

[Paden]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

You should also have "Dynamic Range Control" turned off.

Maybe this is whats causing the flatness?

That was set to "automatic" so I've set it to "off" and will check to see if this helps later.

Thanks.

[rigsgoneblu]

They should be the same. To make it simple the Dolby just removes the parts where there is no sound. For example 3 seconds of no sound might be 24 bits of code but they put in 1 bit that tells the decoding to put in the 3 seconds saving 23 bits of space. This is not 100% accurate but a basic explanation of how they do it. Therefore the original sound is completely in tact. A lot of time Dolby will even out the sound so the talking parts will be as loud as the action scenes so maybe this is the issue. Try turning it up or increasing the sound to +2 on the PS3. With all that said I found the PCM to be better on 300 as well but I have not tried increasing the volume on the PS3 yet.

Rigs

[Paden]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

You should also have "Dynamic Range Control" turned off.

Maybe this is whats causing the flatness?

I'm back... I turned off the DRC as you suggested and it made all the difference in the world. I Am Legend sounded fantastic last night.

Thanks!