[maverickuk82]

Ok.

Does the PS3, get a TrueHD source from BluRay, and output it as Linear PCM 48, which is of the same quality?

Am i correct in thinking that?

[ben16v]

the PS3 decodes the HD sound; trueHD, HD master etc, and then if you have an amp which can accept sound over HDMI via LPCM (set your PS3 to linear) then your laughing lossless sound over HDMI! press triangle on movies to see what output you are recieving it will tell you in the top right, 48hz is the frequency that the original source was recorded in thats why it shows up on your amp.
im pretty new to all this so apologise for any errors but i think im on the right track!

[maverickuk82]

yes, but I think it's only 2 channel, as it doesn't say PCM 5.1...

[maverickuk82]

yeah. pressing select says I'm gettin dolby TrueHD 5.1!

that's a relief...

[cols]

Are you outputting over hdmi? Set ps3 to output lpcm over hdmi in video settings, redo your sound settings, amp'll say it's receiving pcm 48. Press select and ps3 will tell you what it's decoding, dthd or dts hd ma.

If you're using optical, you can't get hd audio, pcm will only be 2 channel, the output should be bitstream, and you'll get dd / dts.

Edit - sounds like you've sussed it!

[gavan]

Originally Posted by maverickuk82

Ok.

Does the PS3, get a TrueHD source from BluRay, and output it as Linear PCM 48, which is of the same quality?

Am i correct in thinking that?

If you're using HDMI it seems that everything from the PS3 is converted to LPCM, including multichannel HD audio and SACD (only available on the 60gig models). The sampling frequency can be higher than 48kHz depending on the source, up to 192kHz.

You don't need the amp to support the HD audio format, just LPCM over HMDI. The PS3 does all the decoding.


If you connect via optical you get either LPCM stereo at 44.1kHz or 48kHz, DD or DTS depending on source.

[maverickuk82]

I am still confused:

My amp says it's receiving "Linear PCM [ 48]"

It doesn't state if it's 5.1, 2 channel or whatever...

to make matters worse, when I put SkyHD on a channel which has 5.1, it says Dolby Digital 5.1. If I put it on a channel that doesn't have 5.1, such as ITV or whatever, it says "Linear PCM [48]" again.

please help...

I don't know whether I'm gettin 5.1 from it or not (obviously there;s sound coming out of the rear speakers)...

[maverickuk82]

Oh, by the way, I am trying both Optical and HDMI...

I can get dolby digital 5.1 out of the Optical, but only LPCM from the HDMI...

[cols]

Your sky should be connected to amp with optical and set up for that in audio settings, you won't get hd audio from it. It'll be 5.1ch from some programmes but not a lot support 5.1ch.

Hdmi is only two channel audio from sky, for some daft reason.

[maverickuk82]

yeah. i'm aware of the sky issue. it's the ps3 i'm concerned about...

[cols]

well you've confused me, i don't know what you're asking, you started off with ps3, then switched to sky!

I think your answers are already in the thread mate - set up for ps3 and how to check what it's outputting etc. The difference between using optical and hdmi.

The amp will just say pcm when it's receiving pcm because it isn't doing the decoding, the ps3 is.

basically- with the ps3 you can output lpcm or bitstream, over optical or hdmi. Bitstream is compressed audio for amp to decode. Lpcm is uncompressed audio ps3 has decoded.

* Bitstream optical will give you dd / dts - amp is decoding, and will display what it's decoding.
* Lpcm optical will only be 2 channel audio.
* Bitstream hdmi will give you dd / dts, amp decodes, and will display what it's decoding. No hd audio as ps3 cannot output hd audio as bitstream.
* Lpcm hdmi will give you dd / dts / dthd / dts hd ma. Ps3 decodes, amp just displays pcm. (Amp needs to be able to take lpcm over hdmi of course)

HTH

[IAN P]

Doesn't your Sony amp have a little lcd diagram in the front window telling you how many speakers are active?

LPCM 48khz will be shown too,when a True HD is being played.

[Fatcapp]

Hi All,

Sorry to "piggy back" onto this thread, but I have the same setup, with the same problems:-

Setup - Sony DA2400es, PS3 (40gig ver), Sky HD, outputting to a Pioneer 428XD.
I am connected HDMI to the Pioneer from the amp,
HDMI from PS3 to Amp,
HDMI and Optical from SkyHD to Amp.

Problems - Sky, I am aware of the "no DD5.1 over HDMI" which is why I have added an optical, however the amp still shows PCM and outputs from only 2 channels! I believe that this is because the amp prioritises HDMI over optical!! If this is the case, will I have to downgrade my PQ to component to get the DD5.1?

As for the PS3, it does not seem to matter what I set the output on the PS3 to (LPCM or Bitstream) the amp sees it as PCM and outputs to 2 channels again!!!

Im sorry if this is basic stuff, but having just got my DA2400, I'm struggling with the setup!!

Any help would be greately appreciated as I am tearing my hair out!!!

Many thanks

Jon

[IAN P]

I do believe you have to lower the hdmi setting for the optical to output 5.1.

Think the question was raised not so long ago.

Only way to settle your mind is to try it out.

[The 7th Taylor]

Originally Posted by gavan

If you're using HDMI it seems that everything from the PS3 is converted to LPCM, including multichannel HD audio and SACD (only available on the 60gig models).

On the 20GB, 60GB and 2007 80GB models -- not on the 40GB, 160GB and 2008 80GB models. See the PS3 SACD FAQ.

The sampling frequency can be higher than 48kHz depending on the source, up to 192kHz.

Depending on the sink i.e. the destination device you've connected to HDMI.

[gavan]

Originally Posted by The 7th Taylor

On the 20GB, 60GB and 2007 80GB models -- not on the 40GB, 160GB and 2008 80GB models. See the PS3 SACD FAQ.

In the UK there was only a 60gig model originally and that is the only UK model that supports SACD playback. The other models you mention include US and Japanese ones.

Depending on the sink i.e. the destination device you've connected to HDMI.

Yes, I'm aware that some amps have upper limits on the sampling frequency of the LPCM signal they will accept but I didn't see the point of confusing things further, given that the OP seems to be completely confused.

[Nelviticus]

If the PS3 decodes the audio and outputs it as LPCM - which is the only way of getting HD audio formats out of it - then the amp will not be able to tell you what format it's getting, just that it's LPCM and 48kHz (or whatever), so your amp will not display the 'Dolby', 'DTS' or 'PCM 5.1' logos even though that's what the PS3 is decoding.

If you've set it up correctly then when the PS3 is your source you'll just see 'Linear PCM [48]' and when Sky is your source you'll see 'Dolby Digital 5.1' or something similar.

Think of it as a package full of sound, with the sound format written on the label - the PS3 opens the package, discards the label and sends the sound to the amp. The Sky box instead sends the package to the amp, so the amp can read the label before opening it to play the sounds.

[cols]

Originally Posted by Fatcapp

Setup - Sony DA2400es, PS3 (40gig ver), Sky HD, outputting to a Pioneer 428XD.
I am connected HDMI to the Pioneer from the amp,
HDMI from PS3 to Amp,
HDMI and Optical from SkyHD to Amp.

Problems - Sky, I am aware of the "no DD5.1 over HDMI" which is why I have added an optical, however the amp still shows PCM and outputs from only 2 channels! I believe that this is because the amp prioritises HDMI over optical!

As for the PS3, it does not seem to matter what I set the output on the PS3 to (LPCM or Bitstream) the amp sees it as PCM and outputs to 2 channels again!

with sky you could connect it direct to tv with hdmi for video, and direct to amp with optical for audio.
Alternatively there may be a digital assign function on your amp, meaning you can give priority to the optical input.

For the ps3, are you sure your settings are correct? Video settings > audio output format (hdmi) > lpcm.
Redo your sound settings > hdmi, then just use auto.
What are you testing it with?

[chic]

ok for sky hd you will need to assign the optical input to the same source as you use for the hdmi in. However the sony 820 had a bug where it wouldnt let you do this, and it was fixed with a firmware update and i dont know if the 2400 had the same problem.

With the ps3 set it up to send pcm over hdmi and also go to the audio video settings menu for the ps3 and select hdmi, select auto for picture and then once thats done it allows you to set up the audio formats over hdmi, this time select custom and not auto and make sure all the 5.1 pcm boxes are ticked and then save it and you should now get 5.1 pcm over hdmi and your hd audio should now work.

[cols]

If you use bitstream over hdmi (video settings > audio output format (hdmi)), you should get "dolby digital" or "dts" displayed by your amp when watching a blu ray / dvd, as it's doing the decoding. (no hd audio though)

If you use lpcm, then your amp will display "pcm" / "multich" or something similar - press select during blu ray / dvd to see what the ps3 is decoding.

Either way, you should be getting 5.1 - obviously lpcm is best for blu ray so you can get dthd / dts hd ma - but you shouldn't be getting 2ch with a 5.1ch source.

If your amp continues to output 2ch pcm whether you switch between lpcm or bitstream output over hdmi, and your sound settings are correct, and you're using a 5.1ch source, then it's a case of with your amp, it could be an issue with how it's set up.

Try a factory reset or the av receivers forum, there may be someone there with your amp who knows it in more detail...

[gavan]

Originally Posted by chic

ok for sky hd you will need to assign the optical input to the same source as you use for the hdmi in. However the sony 820 had a bug where it wouldnt let you do this, and it was fixed with a firmware update and i dont know if the 2400 had the same problem.

The 2400 used to exhibit the same behaviour - I wouldn't exactly call it a bug - but an update was made available, new ones should have it and older models can be returned for servicing. The problem lay with the SkyHD box which sent only stereo PCM over the HDMI interface meaning you had to use the optical to get DD5.1. Unfortunately the amp assumed that if you were using HDMI for video you wanted to use it for audio as well.

Just to stress - this isn't a problem with the PS3 - it passes everything through to the amp as Linear PCM streams, decoding <whatever format> onboard. Unlike some other players, nothing is sent as a bitstream over HMDI.

This means that you will never see any indicators on a connected amp for anything other than LPCM if you are using a PS3 as source. You can check with the PS3 to see what soundtrack format is actually being played. You can normally check how many channels are being received via the amp as well.

[chic]

Originally Posted by colspark

If you use bitstream over hdmi (video settings > audio output format (hdmi)), you should get "dolby digital" or "dts" displayed by your amp when watching a blu ray / dvd, as it's doing the decoding. (no hd audio though)

If you use lpcm, then your amp will display "pcm" / "multich" or something similar - press select during blu ray / dvd to see what the ps3 is decoding.

Either way, you should be getting 5.1 - obviously lpcm is best for blu ray so you can get dthd / dts hd ma - but you shouldn't be getting 2ch with a 5.1ch source.

If your amp continues to output 2ch pcm whether you switch between lpcm or bitstream output over hdmi, and your sound settings are correct, and you're using a 5.1ch source, then it's a case of with your amp, it could be an issue with how it's set up.

Try a factory reset or the av receivers forum, there may be someone there with your amp who knows it in more detail...

i think the problem is the settings with the ps3, in some cases it only outputs 2 channel pcm over hdmi, to fix you go to the audio settings menu in the ps3 and make sure all the 5.1pcm boxes are ticked. When done it should output 5.1 pcm for your hd audio.

[cols]

Originally Posted by gavan

Unlike some other players, nothing is sent as a bitstream over HMDI.

This means that you will never see any indicators on a connected amp for anything other than LPCM if you are using a PS3 as source.

you can set the ps3 to output bitstream over hdmi - in which case the amp will indicate what it's decoding, dd or dts. However you can only get dd / dts from ps3 as bitstream, it can't send hd audio as bitstream. (just clarifying )

[cols]

Originally Posted by chic

i think the problem is the settings with the ps3, in some cases it only outputs 2 channel pcm over hdmi, to fix you go to the audio settings menu in the ps3 and make sure all the 5.1pcm boxes are ticked. When done it should output 5.1 pcm for your hd audio.

worth a try too, for sure - i'm just thinking that as he says he's getting only 2ch pcm whether he outputs lpcm or bitstream over hdmi, it'd be worth checking all the basics, and making sure the ps3 is set up properly and outputting 5.1ch. Then if there's still a problem, it could be with the amp rather than the ps3.

[Fatcapp]

Hi There, and thaks to all for your input.

I have been "tasked" with other jobs today, so havn't yet had a chance to look at my settings and "play"!

Re Gavin:

The 2400 used to exhibit the same behaviour - I wouldn't exactly call it a bug - but an update was made available, new ones should have it and older models can be returned for servicing. The problem lay with the SkyHD box which sent only stereo PCM over the HDMI interface meaning you had to use the optical to get DD5.1. Unfortunately the amp assumed that if you were using HDMI for video you wanted to use it for audio as well.

My amp is a new one - bought 20-12-08 (Xmas pressie to me!!) but does still seem to be showing this symptom; I have assigned the input to the Sky optical but it still wants to use the 2ch pcm! Is there anyway of checking if the upgrade has been done?

As for the PS3, I need to check the settings as I think I left it on pcm but auto and so need to look for the 5.1pcm settings!

Colspark, thanks for our input, and I will let you know later what the settings are. I have checked the "info" on the PS3 and it always says that it is outputting TrueHD or DTS HD! On the amp it shows PCM, no "blue light" for multichannel decoding and only outputs to the front speakers!

I have RTFM'ed several times, and it really is not that helpful! As far as I can see, there is absolutely no "control" over the HDMI and you have to set it to Auto Format to get Full HD sound - this is the setting I have it on. Obviously I can set it to a Soundfield, but thats not the HD Sound I am trying to get!

Anyway, I will let you know later, how I get on.


Cheers
Jon

[cols]

Just wondering - have you got anything to go through in 5.1ch on your amp yet? Does seem to be the common denominator, like it's a setting wrong in the amp somewhere.

You do know you don't have to set it to decode hd audio? Could changing that setting you mention fix it? Maybe it's like a decoding priority thing?

[Fatcapp]

Hi again,

Yeahhhhh finally got it sorted!

Sky HD - the problem was that having assigned the input to optical, I had not used the Input mode to specify optical - it was on auto! Changed this and hey presto I got DD 5.1.

After all that, it was very dissapointing and I actually prefer the Esurrond mode set to Neutral THX !!! At least I can go to DD if I want!

As for the PS3, it was the audio settings; I did indeed have them set to auto and for some reason it was not picking up the HD audio (set to either pcm or bitstream!) So I changed the settings to custom, ticked every box in there and again hey presto I'm now getting my HD audio! Also, if I switch back to bitstream it now decodes and tells me what it is doing!

So a BIG THANKYOU to you all as I'm now sorted.....for now...I'm sure that I will come across some other issues in the future and be calling on your help again!

Cheers for now

Jon

[jon_boy_uk]

Jon (Fatcapp),

How funny that you should get the same issue as me on the same day! I have the same receiver & PS3 and was getting annoyed with it last night.

In your last post when you say you've resolved it, do you see the "True HD" or "Master HD" symbols light up on your amp? I get "DTS" or "Linear PCM 48" depending on Bitstream/PCM settings on the PS3.

Thing is I have Dr.No on Blueray and it's a MasterDTS disc, but I cannot get the MasterDTS image to light up on my receiver? Have you managed this? Thanks for your help

Jon

[cols]

You will never get your amp to light up with "dolby true hd" or "dts hd ma" with ps3. This is because ps3 cannot send hd audio as bitstream for amp to decode.

You can send your amp bitstream - over optical or hdmi - which will give you dd / dts, and the amp will tell you what it's decoding. But no hd audio.

Or you can send your amp LPCM - over hdmi - and the amp will just say "pcm" / "multich" or something similar. It won't say what's being decoded as it doesn't know- ps3 is doing it. This will give you dd / dts / dolby true hd / dts hd ma.

The only way to get hd audio from ps3 is via LPCM over hdmi.

[jon_boy_uk]

Hmm, seems like a bit of a glaring mistake by Sony? I have a sony amp that brands "True HD" on it and a Sony PS3 which also brands "True HD" on it, yet put the two together and it's not obvious that it's actully coming out as such.

Okay, so I don't want to use bitstream then, I want to use PCM? To be fair, the amp (when using PCM) goes into some special mode and the blue light illuminates on the front.

It's just a bit stupid I think! Do you think Sony will deal with this under a firmware update or is it just down to a hardware issue?

Ta, Jon