DTS-MA doesn't make a difference with the PS3

[SolsticeZero]

OK, so here's the rundown. People for the longest time were complaining that the PS3 would not do DTS-MA. Finally, Sony gave us an update that makes it possible. But why? Because people were complaining, that's why.

So let's compare linear PCM (straight studio rip) and DTS-MA (lossless compression). Linear PCM is straight uncompressed studio audio and DTS-MA is close to that with minimal compression. Since the PS3 decodes DTS-MA internally to Linear PCM with no quality loss, why does DTS-MA capability matter? I'm just wondering if people have a good reason for this or if they just like seeing the little DTS-MA light on their receivers?

[grcswoosh]

I have no clue, but are the discs that only have DTS-MA? Other than the standard 5.1 and stereo, of course. Seems to be just another option.

[Essenshizer]

OK, so here's the rundown. People for the longest time were complaining that the PS3 would not do DTS-MA. Finally, Sony gave us an update that makes it possible. But why? Because people were complaining, that's why.

So let's compare linear PCM (straight studio rip) and DTS-MA (lossless compression). Linear PCM is straight uncompressed studio audio and DTS-MA is close to that with minimal compression. Since the PS3 decodes DTS-MA internally to Linear PCM with no quality loss, why does DTS-MA capability matter? I'm just wondering if people have a good reason for this or if they just like seeing the little DTS-MA light on their receivers?


http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2241/facepalm2ic7copyrl2.jpg

If you use the PS3 as a Blu-ray player your receiver WILL NOT display DTS-MA OR Dolby TrueHD on the screen. You said it yourself, the PS3 turns the DTS/Dolby into PCM, hence the receiver never sees the DTS/Dolby signal in the first place.

Why was this a big deal?

Before it had the decoding of DTS-MA, the PS3 could only extract the core, which was not nearly as good as the full. So essentially, if the movie was in DTS-MA and you had a capable receiver you were out of luck.

[grcswoosh]

If you use the PS3 as a Blu-ray player your receiver WILL NOT display DTS-MA OR Dolby TrueHD on the screen. You said it yourself, the PS3 turns the DTS/Dolby into PCM, hence the receiver never sees the DTS/Dolby signal in the first place.
Why was this a big deal?
Before it had the decoding of DTS-MA, the PS3 could only extract the core, which was not nearly as good as the full. So essentially, if the movie was in DTS-MA and you had a capable receiver you were out of luck.


Does that mean I was right? woot!

[REFLEX]

This topic is........ uh..... bad.

Sorry man but I think you are confused.


DTS:MA is important because there are at least 2 major studios that use it, which means that the only way to access their next gen audio is to have the ability to use or decode DTS:MA. Since the PS3 cannot bitstream it....... it can now decode it.

Just like TrueHD, which the PS3 had the ability to do. It all ends up as LinearPCM in the end if decoded, but the PS3 couldn't do DTS:MA before.... so thats why it was and is a big deal. There is no compression involved, DTS:MA is good because you can fit it on a disc easier, its lossless....... once it is "unpacked" there is NO quality loss.. no compression is left. It takes up far less room on a disc than regular PCM tracks.

[AndyD]

I have no clue, but are the discs that only have DTS-MA? Other than the standard 5.1 and stereo, of course. Seems to be just another option.

Does that mean I was right? woot!

Yes. Some discs only had DTSMA, no PCM, so while they are equally good, only one was available, which made the choice between DTSMA and nothing a pretty important and sensible choice.

[rader023]

Follow on question to this thread. I recently watched Alvin in the Chipmunks, which I believe had DTSMA 5.1 and not LPCM. Since it was only 5.1 would i have been able to listen to this even before the Firmware update?

[REFLEX]

Nope....... the PS3 had no ability to use DTS:MA at all, only the small core.... so the answer is no.

Unfortunately the PS3 still cannot use some 7.1 DTS:MA tracks....... they need to fix it but.. who knows.

[rader023]

Nope....... the PS3 had no ability to use DTS:MA at all, only the small core.... so the answer is no.

Unfortunately the PS3 still cannot use some 7.1 DTS:MA tracks....... they need to fix it but.. who knows.
Thanks reflex, i could never figure out what core meant, for some reason i thought of 5.1 as core........

[Metfanant]

Thanks reflex, i could never figure out what core meant, for some reason i thought of 5.1 as core........


5.1 is just how many channels the sound uses....the 5 is the front right, front left, center, and left and right surround channels....the .1 is the sub....if its 7.1 you get all the same but you add the two extra speakers in the back....

you MAY have been confused because the "core" of DTS:MA tracks is 1.5mbps.....



as far as the original post, its already been covered...

[SolsticeZero]

Good answers! Looks like I didn't have all the facts (blame the numerous misleading threads out there on the internet). Thanks for all the information, guys!

[rader023]

5.1 is just how many channels the sound uses....the 5 is the front right, front left, center, and left and right surround channels....the .1 is the sub....if its 7.1 you get all the same but you add the two extra speakers in the back....

you MAY have been confused because the "core" of DTS:MA tracks is 1.5mbps.....



as far as the original post, its already been covered...

Thanks Metfanant, i knew the 7.1, 5.1 definitions, etc., but for some funny reason i thought the core for example of a DTSMA 7.1 track was the 5.1 track, and not the 1.5MB core you speak of. Thanks for the additional clarification.

[rmac694203]

Yep. The big deal w/ the DTS MA decoding wasn't that it was better than LPCM. Many movies, such as XMEN 3, Kingdom of Heaven, Hart's War, Rescue Dawn (Just from my collection) give you either DTS: MA or nothing. So, if you're player can't decode it or send it, you're stuck with the core, which is lossy like normal DTS. So getting the DTS:MA update was a pretty big deal. Now movies that only come with DTSMA can be heard in all their glory.

[Thxxx]

I just want the little light to show up on my reciever ;)

[Metfanant]

I just want the little light to show up on my reciever ;)
then you better buy a stand alone blu-ray player because watching a BD in your PS3 will NEVER get that light on your receiver to light up...