Playstation and audio formats

[Frankie]

I was helping a buddy of mine set up his new system on Sunday and need help with one problem.

His PS3 was setup to output PCM and we couldn't get DD or DTS so we changed it to Bitstream and viola we had DD and DTS. So what's the problem?

Well when he selects the newer audio formats Dolby True or DTS Master the receiver (new Pioneer) doesn’t display that. It reverts back to DD or DTS.

I'm thinking that the PS3 needs a firmware update but I'm really not that familiar with these systems. I'm hoping that one of you Sony owners can point me in the right direction.

F

[PunkMunkey]

Set the PS3 to output PCM...it's the only way to get lossless output. The PS3 will decode everything (Including DTS and DD) onboard and then pass it on as PCM...you won't gett the benefit of seeing the little indicator lights light up on the reciver, but you will get the best sound possible out of it...whether that be DD, DTS, TrueHD or DTS-HDMA.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by PunkMunkey

Set the PS3 to output PCM...it's the only way to get lossless output. The PS3 will decode everything (Including DTS and DD) onboard and then pass it on as PCM...you won't gett the benefit of seeing the little indicator lights light up on the reciver, but you will get the best sound possible out of it...whether that be DD, DTS, TrueHD or DTS-HDMA.

Well I'm going to have to do some reading on the Pioneer because when we had the PS3 set up to PCM the receiver would display 5 channels active but display "Stereo" across the display window. When we switched it to Bitstream it showed 5 channels active and Dolby Digital in the window.

Is this just a Sony thing with the PS3?

F

[PunkMunkey]

Do make sure that the Pioneer receiver can accept 5.1 PCM over HDMI...most new ones do, but it's worth mentioning. Some older receivers will accept only two channel PCM over HDMI, in this case, you'd set the PS3 to bitstream, but would not be able to get the lossless audio (a limitation of the PS3's HDMI chipset...it can decode all forms of lossless but cannot bitstream).

The PS3 is a versatile little machine, but unfortunately it does have it's shortcomings...the bitstreaming of lossless audio being one of them.

If the Pioneer is able to accept 5.1 PCM over HDMI then I'm not sure why it would display "Stereo" on the front panel...have you tried messing with any soundfield settings? I know that my older Pioneer gave me the choice of listening is "Stereo" or a "Standard" mode (which really meant 5.1 surround). Good Luck.

[Frankie]

He's going to put it back to PCM and work through the sound fields to see if he can figure it out.

It's a brand new receiver so there should be a way to do it. All channels are active even though it displays stereo so it may just be a matter of selecting the correct sound field.

Thanks for the info PM

F

[Eddie2u]

Originally Posted by Frankie

He's going to put it back to PCM and work through the sound fields to see if he can figure it out.

It's a brand new receiver so there should be a way to do it. All channels are active even though it displays stereo so it may just be a matter of selecting the correct sound field.

Thanks for the info PM

F

Official PS3 FAQ Master Thread - AVS Forum

Case 4: PS3 connected to a recent model AVR, with HDMI inputs, and the AVR HDMI output is connected to your recent vintage HDTV.

Suggested PS3 Audio and Video additional Settings for Case 4 (starting from XMB and Settings drop down menu):
XMB >>> Settings >>> Display Settings >>> Video Output Settings = HDMI >>> Setting Method=AUTOMATIC
XMB >>> Settings >>> Video Settings* >>> BD/DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI)=LINEAR PCM
XMB >>> Settings >>> Sound Settings >>> Audio Output Settings >>> HDMI >>> Method for Setting the Output Format=AUTOMATIC
* "Video Settings" was called "BD/DVD Settings" with PS3 firmware prior to version 2.50