TrueHD and DTS HD

DannyD
DannyD Posts: 133
edited October 2008 in Electronics
Really...is it worth it to upgrade receivers for this? There has to be a substantial difference for me to go out and shell out money on a new receiver just for it to decode DD True HD and DTS HD. Has anyone heard the difference?
Fronts: RTI10's
Center: CSIA6
Rears: RTIA3's
Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
Blu-Ray: PS3
Harman Kardon AVR247
Monster Cables
Signal Analog II IC's
Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
Post edited by DannyD on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited September 2008
    Having had all formats I think it is more a case of Dolby Laboratories keeping their licensing business healthy.

    A good DD 5.1 system still cannot be beat unless you have a purpose built room with a very significant budget.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    lakesailor wrote: »
    Having had all formats I think it is more a case of Dolby Laboratories keeping their licensing business healthy.

    A good DD 5.1 system still cannot be beat unless you have a purpose built room with a very significant budget.

    I completely dissagree.

    Check out this thread- http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71924

    I titled it wrong, but basically was asking why, on my receiver that doesn't decode DTS HD, do the DTS tracks sound so much better than the DTS track on a DVD... The answer is that the core DTS track that is delivered with the DTS HD is still twice the bandwidth of the DTS on a DVD.

    So, my answer to the question is... You will hear a difference from standard DVD to Blueray if you have a decent HT using your current receiver. There is a link to an article in the post I've linked that also talks about DTS HD vs the DTS core and that the differences between the two in this case were hard to notice.
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    My post above doesn't seem very clear now that I've read it.... What I am saying is you probably don't need to shell out for a new receiver but I haven't heard the difference between DTS core and DTS HD for myself.

    The difference between DTS from a DVD and the DTS core from a Blueray is very noticable, though.

    I think that you have a similar enough HT to mine that you would have a similar experience.
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,468
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Really...is it worth it to upgrade receivers for this? There has to be a substantial difference for me to go out and shell out money on a new receiver just for it to decode DD True HD and DTS HD. Has anyone heard the difference?

    Do you already have a Bluray and/or HDDVD player? That is the only current way to get TrueHD or DTS HD/HD Master sound to a receiver.

    The sound is a pretty noticeable improvement, especially in the low level detail (soft dialog, etc), but...

    You don't really have to buy a new receiver to get that sound. Your AVR has 5.1 (or 7.1) channel inputs. You can just get a Bluray player that has internal decoding and use the analog interconnects. For the most part, the sound should be equivalent to getting a receiver that internally decodes the formats. I believe the new Panasonic BD50 decodes everything including HD Master.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    Do you already have a Bluray and/or HDDVD player? That is the only current way to get TrueHD or DTS HD/HD Master sound to a receiver.

    The sound is a pretty noticeable improvement, especially in the low level detail (soft dialog, etc), but...

    You don't really have to buy a new receiver to get that sound. Your AVR has 5.1 (or 7.1) channel inputs. You can just get a Bluray player that has internal decoding and use the analog interconnects. For the most part, the sound should be equivalent to getting a receiver that internally decodes the formats. I believe the new Panasonic BD50 decodes everything including HD Master.

    Hey bill, I currently have a ps3 that I use as my bluray player. I thought that your receiver had to be able to decode DD True HD and DTS HD in order for it to work:confused: Your getting me all excited now. Which analog interconnects are you talking about? And how would they hook up to the ps3?
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Hey bill, I currently have a ps3 that I use as my bluray player. I thought that your receiver had to be able to decode DD True HD and DTS HD in order for it to work:confused: Your getting me all excited now. Which analog interconnects are you talking about? And how would they hook up to the ps3?


    It is 5.1 analog... go from player to processor/receiver. I don't think PS3 has them.
    -?¿-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Hey bill, I currently have a ps3 that I use as my bluray player. I thought that your receiver had to be able to decode DD True HD and DTS HD in order for it to work:confused: Your getting me all excited now. Which analog interconnects are you talking about? And how would they hook up to the ps3?

    The PS3 doesn't have them, but it WILL send decoded DTS HDsound through the HDMI. Does your H/K have HDMI?
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited September 2008
    haimoc wrote: »
    It is 5.1 analog... go from player to processor/receiver. I don't think PS3 has them.

    Correct. I have a PS3 as well for Blu-rays.

    To take advantage of the advanced lossless audio tracks on your PS3 you have to be hdmi connected to your avr.

    The PS3 will do the decoding of any DTS-MA or TrueHD tracks (which you have to select during playback or may end up just listening to the lossey DTS or DD cores) and send these via HDMI (won't work with analog connections or optical) to your avr.

    You can not bit stream DTS-MA or TrueHD from the PS3...for now....

    You can bitstream the lossey DTS or DD core tracks, but then you're not taking advantage of the advanced tracks.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,468
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Hey bill, I currently have a ps3 that I use as my bluray player. I thought that your receiver had to be able to decode DD True HD and DTS HD in order for it to work:confused: Your getting me all excited now. Which analog interconnects are you talking about? And how would they hook up to the ps3?

    Oh, PS3...
    The PS3 actually decodes all the formats passes them out by HDMI as Multichannel PCM. The PS3 actually won't 'bitstream' the new HD codecs, so really, you don't need the latest and greatest receiver, you just need one with HDMI inputs/output.

    EDIT: I see you have the HK AVR247, which I believe has HDMI and SHOULD be able to receive Multichannel PCM.

    The receiver will get the uncompressed multichannel PCM from the PS3 (over HDMI) and just do bass management and D/A conversion to the signal.

    Essentially, there is no difference between doing it that way and having the receiver decode the raw bit-stream from the Bluray.

    Looks to me like you just need to run the PS3 through your AVR.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    a_mattison wrote: »
    The PS3 doesn't have them, but it WILL send decoded DTS HDsound through the HDMI. Does your H/K have HDMI?

    Yes it does. I'm currently running HDMi from the ps3 to DVi to my TV. (It's an older rear projection Hitachi:mad:) and digital optical to my HK. I guess I would have to run HDMI from the PS3 to the HK and then HDMI from the HK to DVI to the TV:confused: Does this sound right?
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,468
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Yes it does. I'm currently running HDMi from the ps3 to DVi to my TV. (It's an older rear projection Hitachi:mad:) and digital optical to my HK. I guess I would have to run HDMI from the PS3 to the HK and then HDMI from the HK to DVI to the TV:confused: Does this sound right?

    Yep. Just get a basic HDMI cable from Monoprice.com or Amazon and you'll be all set.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    Yep. Just get a basic HDMI cable from Monoprice.com or Amazon and you'll be all set.

    Sweet! I'm going to try it tonight with TRANSFORMERS Bluray right after I borrow my brothers HDMI cable. I should set the PS3 to output PCM only right?
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,468
    edited September 2008
    I read that the AVR-247 needs a firmware update to eliminate a problem with the LFE being 10dB too low. If yours doesn't have this update, then you might notice the bass is a little weak. I also read that the 247 may have a problem with 'sparkles', over the HDMI output, but I think that may only be with 1080p. I'm guessing your older DVI equipped TV is only 1080i or 720p, so that shouldn't be a problem for you.

    Might want to read up at this thread at AVSForum:
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=868358&highlight=247

    Lots of talk on the firmware upgrade, bugs, etc.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    I read that the AVR-247 needs a firmware update to eliminate a problem with the LFE being 10dB too low. If yours doesn't have this update, then you might notice the bass is a little weak. I also read that the 247 may have a problem with 'sparkles', over the HDMI output, but I think that may only be with 1080p. I'm guessing your older DVI equipped TV is only 1080i or 720p, so that shouldn't be a problem for you.

    Might want to read up at this thread at AVSForum:
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=868358&highlight=247

    Lots of talk on the firmware upgrade, bugs, etc.

    thanks for all the help, I'm going to read it when I get home;)
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    I read that the AVR-247 needs a firmware update to eliminate a problem with the LFE being 10dB too low. If yours doesn't have this update, then you might notice the bass is a little weak. I also read that the 247 may have a problem with 'sparkles', over the HDMI output, but I think that may only be with 1080p. I'm guessing your older DVI equipped TV is only 1080i or 720p, so that shouldn't be a problem for you.

    Might want to read up at this thread at AVSForum:
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=868358&highlight=247

    Lots of talk on the firmware upgrade, bugs, etc.

    Well...it turns out I had the old software on my HK. I just finished upgrading it via my HK's RS232 port and I'm good to go. I had to reset my receiver in order to do this so I lost all my settings:mad:. I just ran my Ezeq setup and it set my xovers way different then I had them before. Input wise the difference now is I'm running HDMI instead of optical. It has my L and R fronts xover at 200hz, my center at 40hz,and my L and R rears at 200hz. Before I had everything at 80Hz and was quite happy. What do you guys recommend?
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2008
    80 front, 120 rear and center. 80 will work all the way around, but if you like to crank it 120 r's nad c save a little more juice for l/r.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    Thanks Ben, i'll try that. My next question is if you read this thread from the beginning, I'm trying to get DD HD to play through my HK. My receiver is not capable of this but the ps3 is. Im connected HDMI now to solve that problem. I'm watching Transformers Bluray as I'm typing this. How do I know if I'm actually playing the DD HD lossless audio? My receiver just says Dolby Digital on the front.
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Well...it turns out I had the old software on my HK. I just finished upgrading it via my HK's RS232 port and I'm good to go. I had to reset my receiver in order to do this so I lost all my settings:mad:. I just ran my Ezeq setup and it set my xovers way different then I had them before. Input wise the difference now is I'm running HDMI instead of optical. It has my L and R fronts xover at 200hz, my center at 40hz,and my L and R rears at 200hz. Before I had everything at 80Hz and was quite happy. What do you guys recommend?

    When I run EZeq, my next step is always to set everything to cross at 80hz and bring the sub up 3db. I've been quite happy with these settings. OH... and I run EZeq with the volume at -28, not what they recommend. I read to do this in some other forum and can't remember why, but can't argue with the results.
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Thanks Ben, i'll try that. My next question is if you read this thread from the beginning, I'm trying to get DD HD to play through my HK. My receiver is not capable of this but the ps3 is. Im connected HDMI now to solve that problem. I'm watching Transformers Bluray as I'm typing this. How do I know if I'm actually playing the DD HD lossless audio? My receiver just says Dolby Digital on the front.

    What input does it say it is using? (do you still have the optical cable plugged in?)
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    Should the audio output on the PS3 be set at PCM or Bitstream to get the lossless audio to work?:confused: Nevemind just figured it out...Linear PCM.
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    Pcm...
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    What's the verdict on the SQ?
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    a_mattison wrote: »
    What's the verdict on the SQ?

    I think I drooled on myself:D. I have my volume at 30 which sounds like it did at 25 before. The bass is incredible:D:D:D:D:D. Im like a little kid right now:p
    When i press select on the remote of the ps3 its showing Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Ch. 48 kHz. Is this correct?
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    I don't know. I have an older AVR without HDMI, So I'm using the optical output on the PS3 and have never looked into it until this thread. I was wondering if there would be a big difference....I'm drooling at the thought it.
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited September 2008
    We have reasonably similar HT's. I think I'm just about ready to upgrade my Velo though. I've made tremendous progress with my 2-channel and was listening to music on my HT last night with the realizaiton that my HT needs to catch up to my 2-channel now. ....Terrible cycle. Anyway, the CHT 12 is a little boomy and slow for music....Not to mention I need more slam for the HT's

    Are you pretty happy with your dueling Velo's?
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    a_mattison wrote: »
    We have reasonably similar HT's. I think I'm just about ready to upgrade my Velo though. I've made tremendous progress with my 2-channel and was listening to music on my HT last night with the realizaiton that my HT needs to catch up to my 2-channel now. ....Terrible cycle. Anyway, the CHT 12 is a little boomy and slow for music....Not to mention I need more slam for the HT's

    Are you pretty happier with your dueling Velo's?

    I couldn't be happier with them. I haven't heard many other subs but for HT I can't imagine wanting more than what these two put out. I have them less then half way volume and they peel wallpaper no problem. I've only been listening for about 20min now and all I can say is that Dolby TrueHD has turned my subs into absolute heart stoppers...Wwhhhoooaaaa:D There is definitely a difference for the better. My surrounds have seem to come alive as well.
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,468
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    I think I drooled on myself:D. I have my volume at 30 which sounds like it did at 25 before. The bass is incredible:D:D:D:D:D. Im like a little kid right now:p
    When i press select on the remote of the ps3 its showing Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Ch. 48 kHz. Is this correct?

    Sounds to me like you've got everything working just like it should. PS3 showing TrueHD means you've got the right soundtrack selected and its outputting that via HDMI. I'm guessing the receiver will just say multichannel, PCM or something similar. Glad you are enjoying it.

    I'm also glad to hear you upgraded your firmware easily. So many people have trouble doing that type of thing.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DannyD
    DannyD Posts: 133
    edited September 2008
    billbillw wrote: »
    Sounds to me like you've got everything working just like it should. PS3 showing TrueHD means you've got the right soundtrack selected and its outputting that via HDMI. I'm guessing the receiver will just say multichannel, PCM or something similar. Glad you are enjoying it.

    I'm also glad to hear you upgraded your firmware easily. So many people have trouble doing that type of thing.

    Billbillw, thanks for all your help! if it wasn't for you I probably would have spent money on a new receiver that I didn't need. I'm in love with HT all over again. The upgrade went very smoothly. The hard part was trying to find a straight rs232 cable. I drove all over town. Finally The Source had what I needed. One more question...what exactly is Bitream and Linear PCM and what are there differences?
    Fronts: RTI10's
    Center: CSIA6
    Rears: RTIA3's
    Sub: 15" Velodyne DLS5000R x2 Stacked:D:D:D
    Amp: Marantz MM-9000 150wpc (bi-amped for RTI10's) and CSIA6
    Blu-Ray: PS3
    Harman Kardon AVR247
    Monster Cables
    Signal Analog II IC's
    Panamax MP-5300 Power Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,468
    edited September 2008
    DannyD wrote: »
    Billbillw, thanks for all your help! if it wasn't for you I probably would have spent money on a new receiver that I didn't need. I'm in love with HT all over again. The upgrade went very smoothly. The hard part was trying to find a straight rs232 cable. I drove all over town. Finally The Source had what I needed. One more question...what exactly is Bitream and Linear PCM and what are there differences?

    Think if bitstream like raw data, still encoded/compressed as DD/TrueHD/DTS/etc. It is pulled off the disc and streamed to the AVR for decoding.

    PCM is pulse code modulation. Its basically like an uncompressed wave file. Its not encoded at all, so its a standard digital audio format that can be used by most audio devices that can receive/send digital signals. Its like SPIDF, but it can have higher bitrates and multi channels.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited September 2008
    Good to know you got access to HD audio without buying a new receiver. There are probably a lot of people in your boat who don't know they've got everything they need without a big upgrade.

    PCM (big file) ---> compresses to TrueHD/DTS-HD MA (small file) ---> uncompresses to PCM and sent out to the digitial processing in the receiver/pre

    This is the same process whether it's decoded (uncompressed) in the ps3 or the receiver/pre. It's supposed to be a straightforward decoding scheme so you're supposed to get the same PCM either way (that's why they call it lossless). Differences in sound between receivers/pre's come mainly from what happens after the receiver/pre gets the PCM and applies its own internal digital processing (surround modes, etc.) and DACs (digital analog converters) for output to the analog speakers.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter