TrueHD or Uncompressed ?

[al210]

Some movies contain both TrueHD and uncompressed 5.1 audio tracks.

Is it correct to assume the uncompressed audio is a better selection since the TrueHD is somewhat compressed?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by al210

Some movies contain both TrueHD and uncompressed 5.1 audio tracks.

Is it correct to assume the uncompressed audio is a better selection since the TrueHD is somewhat compressed?

This is my personal opinion and not stated, scientific fact: I believe that all of the studios should drop TrueHD and DTS HD Master all together and just put LPCM 7.1 tracks on movies. Even with the features and such, you will not use up all of the room on a BD by including the uncompressed, lossless, 7.1 LPCM track - there's plenty of room for it.

Why the new codecs then ? Some say to save room for future features - I believe its something else - they want to close up the "analog hole". Currently you can get LPCM 7.1 or 5.1 with receivers that have Multi-channel inputs - without the need to decode new codecs. The LPCM mode is identical to the original studio masters and its uncompressed - to me a better product. When you add TrueHD and DTS HD Master to the mix - they can only be carried out via a HDMI cable. What does this mean? Well, first its audio "copy protection" , second it means that everybody that bought a new receiver a year ago must go out now and buy one that does the new codecs when it was possible to give people 5.1 or 7.1 Lossless, uncompressed sound already - Studios - all together now - "Let the money river flow"!!!!!

I wish that the codecs would just go away. Lets have true uncompressed Lossless sound - to quote Mavrick's replacement RIO in Top Gun " I doesn't get any better than that"!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by al210

Some movies contain both TrueHD and uncompressed 5.1 audio tracks.

Is it correct to assume the uncompressed audio is a better selection since the TrueHD is somewhat compressed?

P.S. Thank you Disney for doing it right (LPCM tracks include on all of the Blu-ray disc that I have purchased from them). This is why you hold the top spot among studios - to me that is !

[Paden]

Originally Posted by prerich

second it means that everybody that bought a new receiver a year ago must go out now and buy one that does the new codecs when it was possible to give people 5.1 or 7.1 Lossless, uncompressed sound already

Not if the player itself is doing the conversion. Like my PS3 is doing.

Also, to answer the original post, I found something out recently that changed my mind about TrueHD. If you're using a PS3 as your player, be sure to turn off Dynamic Range Control as this flattens out TrueHD and makes it sound significantly worse than Uncompressed PCM. I haven't done an apples to apples comparison between the two but I can say for sure that "I Am Legend" sounded great Friday night after I turned off DRC.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Paden

Not if the player itself is doing the conversion. Like my PS3 is doing.

Also, to answer the original post, I found something out recently that changed my mind about TrueHD. If you're using a PS3 as your player, be sure to turn off Dynamic Range Control as this flattens out TrueHD and makes it sound significantly worse than Uncompressed PCM. I haven't done an apples to apples comparison between the two but I can say for sure that "I Am Legend" sounded great Friday night after I turned off DRC.

Your PS3 is decoding alright but you still have to have a HDMI 1.3a (HD audio capable) port on your receiver for pass-thru. The PS3 doesn't have seperate 7.1 analog outs - like my HTPC . And with LPCM there is no need for decoding at all. Not hard to see which one is easier.

[jfitzgerald44]

Originally Posted by prerich

Your PS3 is decoding alright but you still have to have a HDMI 1.3a (HD audio capable) port on your receiver for pass-thru. The PS3 doesn't have seperate 7.1 analog outs - like my HTPC . And with LPCM there is no need for decoding at all. Not hard to see which one is easier.

Completely INCORRECT!! You do not need a HDMI 1.3a receiver. Any HDMI 1.1 or better receiver that accepts audio over hdmi will work perfectly.

The PS3 will convert all signals Dolby TrueHD, DTS MA, as well as pass uncompressed 7.1 LPCM over hdmi to any 1.1 receiver that accepts audio.

John

[Lucy Diamond]

Originally Posted by jfitzgerald44

Completely INCORRECT!! You do not need a HDMI 1.3a receiver. Any HDMI 1.1 or better receiver that accepts audio over hdmi will work perfectly.

The PS3 will convert all signals Dolby TrueHD, DTS MA, as well as pass uncompressed 7.1 LPCM over hdmi to any 1.1 receiver that accepts audio.

John

That is great to know.

I am planning on getting a new receiver (it's just time) and I am glad I can take advantage of everything with my PS3 although I hate the I idea of using it as my Blu Ray player because the fan is so damn loud and intrusive.

I guess it is a small enough sacrifice until BluRay players come down unless sony releases a firmware upgrade for the S-300 that decodes the new crap.

I like analog PCM though.

Thanks folks,

Back to work for me.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by prerich

P.S. Thank you Disney for doing it right (LPCM tracks include on all of the Blu-ray disc that I have purchased from them). This is why you hold the top spot among studios - to me that is !

recent Disney movies I believe have moved towards TrueHD. I don't think PCM will be offered much anymore.

[CptGreedle]

Well if the disc has uncompressed, use it. But I prefer they make more discs with the compressed lossless. For me, I hear no difference, and if there is a difference, it is so slight, so minute, that it is of no importance.
With the compressed lossless, I hear the great HD audio, and I get more room for great HD video and extras! I prefer TrueHD right now since it runs in 7.1 on my PS3, while DTS-HD still has issues with that on some titles.

[Sonny]

They should all sound the same ,BUT I know what I cad hear PCM is my favorite. Over on the main page I thanked them for still using PCM , hell even Sony stopped , there on the TrueHD wagon now. What a shame

[prerich]

Originally Posted by jfitzgerald44

Completely INCORRECT!! You do not need a HDMI 1.3a receiver. Any HDMI 1.1 or better receiver that accepts audio over hdmi will work perfectly.

The PS3 will convert all signals Dolby TrueHD, DTS MA, as well as pass uncompressed 7.1 LPCM over hdmi to any 1.1 receiver that accepts audio.

John

I stand corrected. But there are many HDMI receivers (such as the Pioneer 1016tx and the Sony 7000 ect) that only pass the video portion - even though the HDMI is 1.1 or above. I have owned the 1016tx myself and I know this to be true.
The point I want to make is why all the new codecs when you really don't need them? BD has enough room for uncompressed audio - why not use the room?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

recent Disney movies I believe have moved towards TrueHD. I don't think PCM will be offered much anymore.

That's sad if this is true.

[al210]

So let me get this right.

Since I'm using a PS3 setup for LPCM via HDMI its always best to choose the uncompressed PCM over any other audio format codec that might be on the disk?

[CptGreedle]

yes, if it is there. otherwise go with TrueHD or DTS-HD

[prerich]

Originally Posted by al210

So let me get this right.

Since I'm using a PS3 setup for LPCM via HDMI its always best to choose the uncompressed PCM over any other audio format codec that might be on the disk?

If it has uncompressed PCM...you are correct sir

[mikenike]

Uncompressed PCM and TrueHD will result in identical sound, but both have their benefits. TrueHD helps to save space, while PCM is universal (older receivers can play uncompressed PCM tracks).

[davcole]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

recent Disney movies I believe have moved towards TrueHD. I don't think PCM will be offered much anymore.

I agree...

I think by 1/2009 you'll likely see PCM gone. I sense there is jockeying between studios and Dolby/Dts for which codec will be supported.

Either way I have no problem with either codec solution.

[chasarms]

Originally Posted by al210

Some movies contain both TrueHD and uncompressed 5.1 audio tracks.

Is it correct to assume the uncompressed audio is a better selection since the TrueHD is somewhat compressed?

Is there really a disc out there that has BOTH an LPCM track and TrueHD. I don't know that I have ever seen one. It seems pointless to me to offer both. They sound theoretically the same and would take up more disc space than needed.

[chasarms]

Originally Posted by davcole

I agree...

I think by 1/2009 you'll likely see PCM gone. I sense there is jockeying between studios and Dolby/Dts for which codec will be supported.
Either way I have no problem with either codec solution.

I don't know how long it will take, but this makes sense. As the newer AVRs and HD audio decoding BD players gain market share, the need for LPCM will seem less important.

Although, I would think both DTS and Dolby will co-exist for the forseeable life of blu-ray. They have do-existed on DVD for quite a while.

[davcole]

If there is an advantage that BD didn't chose a lossless format, it's really increased the competition between Dolby and DTS to have their lossless codec used.

Obviously with a lossless solution, they can't really berate each other on audio quality, it's much more important for the both of them to make alliances with studios.