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PS3 Blu-Ray Audio Questions

#1
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7/22/09 at 1:10am
  • Joined: July 2009
  • Post Count: 2

 I have questions about setting up my audio with my PS3.  I have a generic 32in Insignia HDTV, A Samsung HT-X50 Surround Sound System, and a PS3.  The PS3 is hooked up through HDMI and it is going into the TV and then the Audio is going to my system via Optical Cord due to the fact my system does not have a HDMI Input.  The SS System's only HDMI is an Output to play Upconverted DVD's.  

 

My question is I'm all about watching my blu-ray movies in the best possible way that I can and I want bigger and better.  First I was fine with my system the way it was and stuff but then I got opened up to DTS HD, DD TruHD, and PCM and how much better they make the movie experience.  Now I have read up on it a little bit and kinda know a few things about everything.  I know I cant get PCM to my sound system because of no HDMI input.  But does this also mean that I loose DTS HD and DD TruHD also?  Also since you know my setup and how everything is hooked up, what is the most that I can do with this or am I just gonna have to suck it up and go buy a $200 receiver.

 

Thanks for your incite and I am looking forward to your post.    

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#2
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7/22/09 at 6:15am
  • Joined: April 2006
  • Location: Charlotte, NC
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Yes, DTS-HD and DDTrue HD cannot be delivered over the optical connection. What you're getting it a high bitrate core from those digital audio streams, not shabby sounding by any means but not the lossless experience that adds wonderful expansiveness and clarity to the best audio tracks.

A receiver which can take the decoded audio from the PS3 via HDMI is a must if you want to experience these lossless codecs.
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#3
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7/22/09 at 8:48am
  • Joined: April 1999
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Make sure the optical is going straight from the PS3 to the home theater system, not trying to go through the TV optical.  Make sure your DTS or DD indicators on the receiver light up, else you probably have to adjust some settings on the PS3 (optical set to bitstream, optical selected for audio output setting).

Don't sweat not having lossless codecs too much.  The advantage is very, very subtle, it's like the difference between high bit rate AAC/MP3 and CD, it's difficult to pick out.  Read
http://www.hemagazine.com/node/Dolby_TrueHD_DTS-MA_versus_Uncompressed_PCM

Matt, "wonderful expansiveness & clarity" just doesn't hold up under scientific, bias-controlled testing.  Non-subtle differences you hear are due to either:
1. Differences in the mix of the source itself
2. Placebo effect
Not due to lossy vs. non-lossy compression.

One has to remember that a ton of research was put into these codecs to try and ensure the "lossy" stuff that is lost is stuff humans can't usually hear.  Frequencies outside the range of humans, sounds masked by the presence of other sounds.  But for some reason when some people see "lossy compression" in relationship with audio, they freak out about losing something.  Even though they are very happily using "lossy compression" for the video, where the compression ratios are more than 10x higher!

There are many good reasons in the long run to change to a receiver + separate speaker system (bigger + better speakers, not only 1 measly digital input requiring a switch if you wanted digital from your TV/cable box/DVR, video switching features, room EQ features), and you'd get lossless audio with it, but I wouldn't switch for solely the difference between lossy/lossless.

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#4
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7/22/09 at 9:41am
  • Joined: July 2009
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 The reason I have the Optical on the TV going out into the SS system is so I can get optical from my HD Cable service and also my Xbox 360.  Unless that is not helping those at all.
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#5
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7/22/09 at 10:06am
  • Joined: April 1999
  • Post Count: 1,573
The problem with using the optical from the TV, is that with 99% of TVs you lose the 5.1 from the connected components, you only get 2.0 stereo out of it.  Is your "dolby pro logic II" mode button working for those sources?  (It's *not* supposed to work for a 5.1 source, if it does something then you are only getting 2.0).  Also the speaker indicators may indicate only getting 2 channels.  Test with a direct connection to a component to see if there is a difference.

The best way is to get an optical switch, hook xbox + PS3 + cable box (or TV if no cable box) to the switch, then switch output into the home theater.
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