PS3 BD/DVD > HDMI Audio output > LPCM or Bitstream questions?

Got a new receiver recently (Onkyo 605) and just looking for some clarification on this. Let's say I'm playing a blu-ray (we'll choose Apocalypto for it's excellence)...

If I select bitstream output - my receiver says if I am getting Dolby Digitalor Multi-channel PCM input, obviously depending on which audio format I pick on the blu-ray disc.For some reason I was under the impression that the uncompressed PCM soundtrack could not be sent via bitstream.... am I mistaken? If so, then what is my receiver getting when it displays Multi Channel PCM input? I definitely think it sounds better, but I am thinking that it may all be in my head now.

However if I select LPCM output - my receiver always shows Multi Channel PCM input regardless of which format I pick. I assume that the PS3 is decoding the Dolby Digital audio and sending it as PCM. Is that correct?

I would much rather do the bitstream option, as it gives me greater flexibility with my particular receiver. It really doesn't matter with the high def audio codecs which way I do it, but for DD and DTS formats that are on DVD's that I have, it definitely is better to receive the bitstream. That being said, I do want the high def audio codecs, and want to make sure I am getting those via bitstream and not something else that maybe be toned down or something. Basically, I need to know if I should be switching the LPCM/Bitstream output on the PS3based on the audio codec on the disc I'm playing?

Thanks Browe. I know it really isn't a newformat... but the thing I was concerned with the most are the disc that have uncompressed PCM soundtracks which were not available on DVD's due to size of the files. I just want to make sure I am getting those above all.

Also, just for information's sake... the PS3 doesn't pass off the bitstream of any of the new gen audio formats. It decodes Dolby True-HD (which is pretty much non-existent on BD's), and doesn't pass the DTS-MA bitstream (which is unfortunate as there are several titles that have this audio format). Hopefully we'll get that capability later in some way or another in a firmware update.

Thanks Browe. I know it really isn't a newformat... but the thing I was concerned with the most are the disc that have uncompressed PCM soundtracks which were not available on DVD's due to size of the files. I just want to make sure I am getting those above all.

Also, just for information's sake... the PS3 doesn't pass off the bitstream of any of the new gen audio formats. It decodes Dolby True-HD (which is pretty much non-existent on BD's), and doesn't pass the DTS-MA bitstream (which is unfortunate as there are several titles that have this audio format). Hopefully we'll get that capability later in some way or another in a firmware update.

jshigashi

Im sure it will be able to pass DTS-HD MA with a fiture firmware update, maybe not decode DTS-HD MA, but definatley at least pass it to the receiver for the receiver to decode it