Can someone explain PS3/Blu-Ray Audio settings to me?

[Jebus]

I'm constantly bemused by all this...

I currently have it set to "Bitstream (Mix") because if I set it to PCM it won't output 5.1, only 2.0? :S Am I missing a setting somewhere or what?

Other than that, the sound is really hard to control, some blu-rays require about +20db on my amp to get to a comfortable listening level, then an explosion happens and it's insanely loud, to the point that most of the time when watching a blu-ray I have to sit with the amp remote in hand, constantly managing the sound on the fly, which can't be right, can it?

For reference, the PS3 is connected via HDMI for video, but Optical for audio.

Any help would be wonderful!

Thanks.

[Brad]

I have same setup as you. Your setup is correct:

1. Optical cannot carry enough data to support 5.1 uncompressed audio, so...
2. By choosing Bitstream Mix it will take the PCM, or Dolby Master or DTS Master and mix it down to something that a) your optical cable can carry and b) your amp supports.

I also adjust the volume on the fly. It's a necessary evil if you have other people to consider. In a cinema it doesn't matter - they have the volume loud enough so that you can hear people whispering, when people shout it gets louder and when there are explosions it gets really loud and because you're in a cinema that's fine! People think they want the full cinema experience at home but in reality that's not possible!

That's my analysis anyway mate. Oh, I've found that Dolby and DTS mixes seem to have different volume balances as well which might explain why some movies demand a higher volume than others.

[EvilBoris]

I think the PS3 has an option for dynamic volume control or dynamic sound, what that does is boost up quiet scenes and turns down noisey scenes in order to keep things fairly level.

I think.

I've had Things with this feature and it really mucked up my listening pleasure. I'm sure I've seen the option on ps3 settings xmb thing or on the options whilst playing a film

Edit
BD / DVD Dynamic Range Control
Enable or disable your PS3™ system's dynamic range control feature when playing a BD or DVD containing audio recorded in Dolby audio (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD). This setting is for use only when Linear PCM audio format is selected as the audio output format.

[Jebus]

Wow...I'm rather disappointed to find out my setup is correct as the amount of manual correction I have to do per film is astounding.

Next-gen ftw? ****ing hell...

Thanks for the help though guys. Boris, are you saying to turn that feature on or ensure it's off?

[Number45]

No, he's saying there's no point in you changing it at all because you're not using Linear PCM as the output format.

[EvilBoris]

Well I guess that's down to you, I'm not sure how good it is on PS3 but I'd be watching something and the characters would be whispering or talking quietly, so the sound turned itself up, but the all of a sudden BOOM there would be an explosion or something and the sound took a couple of seconds to realise it had gone louder so it would be super loud, then you'd hear it physically go quieter as it turned it down to compensate for your ears bleeding.

Maybe experiment and see what works best for you

[sj33]

Essentially, the situation over optical is exactly the same as it is for any other device. Optical only supports a maximum of 2.0 PCM, which is why compressed formats such as DD or DTS are used to send 5.1 over optical. That's why PCM only sends as 2.0. DVD Players work in the same way.

It's just made a bit more complicated by the fact that Dynamic Range Control only works when using PCM because Bitstream essentially bypasses the console and sends the sound 'as-is' (again, DVD Players typically work the same way). However, surely your amp has such a feature itself? Better to change the volume manually if you can though, since Dynamic Range Control essentially shrinks the dynamic range of the sound, making it all sound rather flat.

I gather DTS is typically 4dB higher.

[Brad]

My amp has a 'Night' mode whereby it stops the volume going too loud during explosions etc. Makes bugger all difference IMO.

[Number45]

My amp has a mode that wakes the whole house up when I watch a film. It's called 'On'.

[sj33]

I'm generally not 'audiophile' enough to hear a difference between DD and DTS... but I do get sick of turning the volume up ever time I watch a film that uses DD. Unfortunately, I *am* audiophile enough to hate things like Dynamic Range Compression (which is usually what 'Night mode' is).

[Brad]

Indeed. For epic film watching on my own I strap on a set of Sennheiser HD595s. The headphone surround mode on Yamaha amps is pretty good. Not as good as surround speakers but it's nice not fiddling with the volume.

[Jebus]

So what is the difference between Bitstream (mix) and (full)? It says with full that I might miss out on some sound.

If I do switch to PCM (and thus 2.0) it goes mega loud compared to the bistream!

[Sane]

I believe that the message it gives about missing sounds only relates to things like the sounds you get by opening menu's and such.

[Jebus]

Ahhh, that's interesting to know...may give that a try.

[Daragon]

I'm generally not 'audiophile' enough to hear a difference between DD and DTS... but I do get sick of turning the volume up ever time I watch a film that uses DD. Unfortunately, I *am* audiophile enough to hate things like Dynamic Range Compression (which is usually what 'Night mode' is).

Stupid question, but your sound system definitely supports DTS? I can tell a real difference with mine (Logitech Z-5500) as the rear sound is alot bolder and more pronounced than over DD. It could just be that the rear speakers are quite close to the back of my head which probably isn't the best thing to do, but there's no where else in the room for them.