I've just ordered myself a PS3 and was considering using this as my standalone dvd player, but have now read that it only outputs pcm/bitrate sound.

My query is, how good is this in comparison to the normal dvd sound formats i.e Dolby Digital or DTS. I'm obviously aware that it won't be as good as the HD audio formats, but was considering getting rid of my dvd player.

My home cinema amp can decode all of the non HD audio formats, so was wondering what was best.

Ryan

Just in case I didn't make it clear, the PS3 will be hooked up to my home cinema amp via optical cable.

Ryan

Hi Ryan

The PS3 over the optical output acts like any other dvd player with dolby digital and dts sound. No restrictions here.

The only reason not to use it as a dvd player replacement is the relative power hunger and the noise (compared to a normal dvd player).

Because your homecinema amp is not able to decode the new HD audio formats, there is nothing you will be missing.

What you've probably read is, that it can not give the HD audio formats out over HDMI and let the homecinema amp decode it.
The HD audio is decoded and converted inside the PS3 to multichannel linear PCM, and that goes out over HDMI (no analogue multichannel outputs on the PS3). This should be without quality loss, since LPCM is uncompressed.
When your amp/decoder has no HDMI (only optical or coax), it will have to convert it down to standard DD or DTS. Then you will have a loss.

This is quite common amongst the HD players available. Homecinema amps with HD audio decoding capability are still brand new. There is a FirmWare update for the PS 3 announced, which will enable that. But then you will need a new amp/decoder.

You may want to take a look in my explanation of HD audio transport here too:
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7801938...362931217#7362931217

happy listening
Adrian

P.S. Don't forget to order the separate DVD remote control! I don't like to use the game-pad for that. It's over BlueTooth (not infra red) you can't use a programmable/learning RC at the moment.

Adrian,
many thanks for a concise and understandable explanation. That kinda seals it for me.....i can get rid of my dvd player. The noise I haven't (used a friends ps3) to be that bad. Certainly nowhere in the league of the xbox which is incredibly noisy.

Again my thanks.

Ryan

sorry missing word- noise not been found to be that bad

Ryan

You're welcome.

About noise... That's why I wrote (compared to a normal dvd player). Compared to other game consoles it's almost quiet

The actual 40GB version should be somewhat better with power consumption and noise, but has lost the flash-multicard-reader, 2 USB ports and the PS2 backward compatibility.

There is no multiregion hack for DVD and/or BD (yet).

Adrian

Adrian what models do you want to change to multi region?
Munch

Munch
I don't know about multiregion solutions for any of the PS3 variants... That's why I kept my old dvd player.

I have the first european 60GB model.

Adrian

I don't own any ps2 games and all my dvds are region 1 (europe, if i haven't got the region correct.) so its not a problem for me.

As you say blu-ray discs are all over the place as far as region coding goes and thats outwith the control of the hardware manufacturers.

Ryan

I notice that with blueray discs, the sound is way better than that produced from the standard DVD of the same film. My Sony flat panel has audio out (I use the TV pre-amp section) and I connect directly to my Bryston 4B-SST to drive my Wilson Benesch Discovery speakers. The 2 channel sound from this set-up is a lot better than the surround sound from the commercial cinema theaters (including the sound of the IMAX room). The Discovery speakers with their isobaric bass design give plenty of clean bass when being driven by the Bryston 4B-SST amplifier.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan_d:
my dvds are region 1 (europe, if i haven't got the region correct.)
Ryan

Actually, zone 1 is for North America:

Ok my dvds are region 2

obviously

And to make it even more complicated

BluRay disks have an A-B-C region system. But it is not mandatory to lock it, only an option...

map with bluray regions

See the explanation and disk list here:

locked/unlocked BD media list

The sooner the whole debacle of format type and region coding gets sorted out the better for all.

At least it looks like the format war may be over soon......but this might change again in the next 5 mins.

Ryan

A bit off topic but has anyone tried playing online with their ps3? I am hoping to get one in the next couple of months.

Just got my ps3 today.

What do members think of this to connect to my progressive scan crt tv? It is a panasonic 32pd30 with component in and i use a yamaha surround amp?

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=4202

Would this be the best possible conection? Can' afford a new tv for a while.

alan

ps3 online is way behind x box live . you will need a bluetooth headset

neil

Just a little tip. Check the firmware updates for the PS3 when you get it, a friend of mine got one a little while ago, and DVD and BlueRay initially looked terrible. However, after we managed to get the thing connected to the internet and spent about 3 hours downloading and installing various updates it was fantastic. Was like the difference between a £20 supermarket special and a £200 stand alone player, really drastic!

Also, if you're using it online, hardwire it if you can, the wireless card doesn't seem to be up to all that much!