Which is better in decoding, PS3 or Receiver?

[rdb2001]

I am buying the new receiver (onkyo 706) because the yamaha v463 with hdmi that I have doesnt decode truehd and dtsmaster. I know the ps3 does it onboard. Will i see a difference when I let the receiver decode it or will it be about the same? Thanks for the input.

[Sami]

If that's your only reason to buy a new receiver, save the money and let PS3 do it. If your source is PS3 then you're forced to let the PS3 do it anyway since the chipset isn't able to bitstream DTS Master Audio anyways (AFAIK), you'll still end up using LPCM.

If your source is a standalone the difference would be seeing the DTS MA on your receiver instead of LPCM (like with DD and DTS on DVD), there should not be any audible difference. I don't think there are any issues with LFE management either but I am not 100% sure.

[wingnut4772]

Yep. With the PS3 as your source those fancy lights on the new receiver will stay dark ... But it will still sound awesome.

[mantis]

There's been no proof on either side on which sounds better. No to go off topic but I have ran into this a lot. My personal opinion is to have the decoding in the receiver or preamp anyway. What happens when another source like Dss or cable have the ability to send DD HD over HDMI?? You will not have the ability to decode it. maybe I'm off target a bit and looking down the road to far, but I like my processing in the Processor, not the source.

So to be a hypocrite I own the Ps3. But I don't even have a HDMI preamp or receiver yet. I have been holding out for the right one to come along. I could easily use my Ps3 and use a 1.1 or 1.2 preamp now and get full DD HD and DTS HD over PCM. Allday and what have you.

I really hate all this and sorry for the hi jack or off topic but it's what comes up every time I do a ps3 or stand alone with or without built in Processing. Honestly I really never heard a difference either way.

Dan

[Sami]

Dan, when the day comes that broadcast is having that kind of bandwidth to use for soundtrack your preamp will be outdated anyways. :)

[mantis]

Dan, when the day comes that broadcast is having that kind of bandwidth to use for soundtrack your preamp will be outdated anyways. :)

I know but I still have the hang up.

[adam2434]

Any receiver/processor with HDMI inputs will handle multichannel PCM from a PS3 (or other Blu-Ray player), right?

In the case of receiving a DD-HD or DTS MA bitstream (from a capable player), I would assume that the receiver/processor will decode this to PCM internally, as that is likely what the DACs need to convert to an analog signal.

Since were talking PCM vs. bitstream transmission, maybe jitter levels could be a difference - not sure though.

Off topic a little, but I've been wondering if anyone has created an offboard DAC for multichannel PCM over HDMI. This would be cool for folks who have nice, older receivers/processors without HDMI, but with multichannel analog inputs, and also own a PS3 or other player that does not have multichannel analog outputs. Hmmm, this DAC could also have coax and optical inputs for standard 2-ch spdif from CD/DVD players, soundcards, etc. Maybe a new product category...

[mantis]

Any receiver/processor with HDMI inputs will handle multichannel PCM from a PS3 (or other Blu-Ray player), right?

In the case of receiving a DD-HD or DTS MA bitstream (from a capable player), I would assume that the receiver/processor will decode this to PCM internally, as that is likely what the DACs need to convert to an analog signal.

Since were talking PCM vs. bitstream transmission, maybe jitter levels could be a difference - not sure though.

Off topic a little, but I've been wondering if anyone has created an offboard DAC for multichannel PCM over HDMI. This would be cool for folks who have nice, older receivers/processors without HDMI, but with multichannel analog inputs, and also own a PS3 or other player that does not have multichannel analog outputs. Hmmm, this DAC could also have coax and optical inputs for standard 2-ch spdif from CD/DVD players, soundcards, etc. Maybe a new product category...
I don't know of one but it would be a cool product and I would get one.

[Sherardp]

PS3 will only pass PCM, and will not bitstream audio so you will get PCM at the receiver. If you want the receiver to say DTS MA, DD+ or DD True HD then you need a standalone player, Pansonic BD35/55.

[mantis]

PS3 will only pass PCM, and will not bitstream audio so you will get PCM at the receiver. If you want the receiver to say DTS MA, DD+ or DD True HD then you need a standalone player, Pansonic BD35/55.

I just Installed the Panasonic 55 for a customer not that long ago, very nice player. And it passed everything to the receiver. Sound quality was awesome.

Dan