New surround sound set up - help with PS3!

[miln0039]

All,

I'll make it as brief as possible, having looked at various forums I keep getting more confused.

I've been out and bought an Onkyo system today and am going to use this with the 46" Samsung I bought last week . I will run a PS3 and Sky+ HD through the amp via HDMI cables, then an HDMI cable from the amp to the telly (although I am aware I need to use an optical cable with the Sky box for 5.1!).

Now, with the PS3 I am a little confused. It's a slim so supports PCM and Bitstream output to the amp, which has all the latest decoders including Dolby True HD.

So basically - should I output the PS3 using bitstream and let the amp do the work or use PCM and let the PS3 do the work (all via HDMI). I am only interested in doing this the easiest way that involves changing setting the least? I understand I can use an "Auto" setting on the PS3 to detect and output via PCM the best available code on the disk?

As I said, confused....any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Alex

[DavidY]

Basically you can either unpack the high-def codec packets either in the PS3 (LPCM) or in the amplifier (bitstream). In theory there should be no sound quality difference buy your ears may tell you otherwise!

[miln0039]

Do I have to change any settings within the PS3 to do this? And will it automatically change what it is decoding based on whether it's a Blu-Ray, Normal DVD or stereo/5.1 game?

I think I've read so much on forums today I've confused myself further..

[DavidY]

There is a setting buried in the BluRay BD configuration of the PS3 Settings

[surfymark]

Personally I have an old "big" PS3 so have no choice but to do the PCM thing. This is fine but I would rather do the bitstream idea. For one thing, my amp (a Pioneer) will then tell me what the movie is decoded as which I like.

I also feel that my Pioneer amp will do it better than my PS3 but that is just gut feeling.

HTH
M

[DavidY]

Meridian, one of this country's top hifi/av product manufacturers, use a PS3 in their Dem room connected to approx 250k of equipment, outputting in LPCM. If it's good enough for them, I would suggest that it is good enough for 99.99% of the population! I have heard/seen this system and it was staggering!

[miln0039]

I've got it all set up and working perfectly now

PS3 outputting LPCM but it sounds excellent! Thanks for above advice!

[Griff Boy]

miln0039 said:

All,

I'll make it as brief as possible, having looked at various forums I keep getting more confused.

I've been out and bought an Onkyo system today and am going to use this with the 46" Samsung I bought last week . I will run a PS3 and Sky+ HD through the amp via HDMI cables, then an HDMI cable from the amp to the telly (although I am aware I need to use an optical cable with the Sky box for 5.1!).

Now, with the PS3 I am a little confused. It's a slim so supports PCM and Bitstream output to the amp, which has all the latest decoders including Dolby True HD.

So basically - should I output the PS3 using bitstream and let the amp do the work or use PCM and let the PS3 do the work (all via HDMI). I am only interested in doing this the easiest way that involves changing setting the least? I understand I can use an "Auto" setting on the PS3 to detect and output via PCM the best available code on the disk?

As I said, confused....any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Alex

Hi, slightly off topic here, (justified by the fact that you've sorted the problem!) why do you need to connect a optical digital cable from the skyHD box to the amp?

I've got a marantz amp with the sky hd 1tb box connected only by a good hdmi cable. Is this wrong? I also have a separate projector in a home cinema room where the hd sat box is also connected to the onkyo receiver in the same way, so I'm thinking I'm missing an opportunity here.!

Cheers
Ian

[miln0039]

Griff Boy said:

Hi, slightly off topic here, (justified by the fact that you've sorted the problem!) why do you need to connect a optical digital cable from the skyHD box to the amp?

I've got a marantz amp with the sky hd 1tb box connected only by a good hdmi cable. Is this wrong? I also have a separate projector in a home cinema room where the hd sat box is also connected to the onkyo receiver in the same way, so I'm thinking I'm missing an opportunity here.!

Cheers
Ian

Ian,

Following much confusion on my part - I can confirm that without an optical you will only be getting glorified stereo sound! Basically Sky have a "unique" HDMI port on their boxes which doesn't allow a decent sound signal to be carried(!)

Hook up an optical cable from the sky box to the amp then change the audio preference from HDMI to Optical and your amp will be receiving 5.1 signals on channels where it is available (most HD channels basically!).

Hope that helps?

Cheers,
Alex

Edited before the grammar police arrived!

[DavidY]

Sky boxes only put out stereo on the HDMI, you need a co-ax or optical digital cable to your amp/processor to get 5.1

[surfymark]

The above is all correct.

However, there seem to be very channels actually carrying 5.1 sound. Most of it is just stereo anyway for some reason.

HTH
M

[DavidY]

Many films are in a 5.1 (inc most of Sky Movies) and some premium programmes, such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, etc (those that have DVD/BR sell capability). A lot of the rest are in 2 channel.

My processor is set up to auto select Dolby Digital when it receives a 5.1 feed from my SkyHD box and switch to TV Logic (pseudo surround sound) when it receives a 2 channel signal.