Just a warning to all you who have a Playstation 3 and want to try TrueHD or DTS Master Audio BluRay discs on those expensive HDMI 1.3 receivers... The PS3 doesn't actually support TrueHD or DTS HD Master Audio... Sony is aware of this issue, yet they continue to advertise support of these advanced formats. So, if you want TrueHD or DTS HD Master Audio support, which is waaay cool, do *not* buy the Playstation 3 'cause it sure doesn't support it.
Here's my chat from Sony support on Nov. 7, fyi:
Dan on Playstation support on 11/7/2007 at 2:38 PM ET.Dan: Hi, my name is Dan. How may I help you?
Auri: Hi, I have a Playstation 3, an audio receiver with DTS HD and Dolby TrueHD support. When using BluRay discs, I have the PS3 set to Bitstream audio out, and I never get TrueHD to play. Even on BDs that have TrueHD or DTS Master Audio audio tracks. Does the PS3 actually support these formats?
Dan: Please allow me to research that for you, I should be back in 1-2 minutes.
Auri: ok
Auri: thanks
Dan: The PS3 is able to decode the audio format from the disc, however at this time it does not have the ability to output in that format. We apologize for any inconvenience. Hopefully a future update will address this. I don't have any information on future updates at this time.
Auri: But doesn't Bitstream Audio Out mean that it just sends the audio straight through without decoding it?
Dan: Currently the information we have is that the PS3 is able to decode TRUE HD but it is not able to output in that format. Not sure if that answers your question
Auri: So if I go to Sound Settings, then HDMI, then Automatic, I only see Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1, and then a whole bunch of Linear PCM from 2.0 to 7.1 96 KHz. Should I be seeing TrueHD?
Dan: No, that option will not be there with the current firmware
Auri: So what do I need to choose to get Dolby TrueHD output? It appears not to matter whether I'm using Bitstream or not.
Dan: There are no options in the PS3 that will give you TrueHD at this time.
Auri: But the box says it supports TrueHD and your site says it outputs TrueHD. This isn't true?
Dan: At this time, it is not possible to get TrueHD sound from any receiver you would connect to your PS3. The PS3 does have the ability to decode TrueHD, it just can't output in TrueHD at this time. Hopefully this will be addressed in future updates
Auri: OK.
Auri: What about DTS Master Audio?
Dan: Same answer, hopefully a future update will clear that up
Auri: Thanks.
Auri: Are there any KB articles that explain this?
Dan: We are working on getting one up soon.
Dan: There is some information from Onkyo regarding this subjest, I can give you the link
Auri: Thanks!
Dan:
http://onkyousa.com/faqs_detail.cfm?detail=1&id=273 not sure if this will help
Auri: looking... hold ona moment :)
Dan: sure
Auri: According to the article:
Auri: "Only when players have the ability to send bitstream signals to the receivers will the receivers be able to decode the signal. Only then will True HD, Dolby Plus or DTS HD be displayed on the front panel."
Auri: So when I set the PS3 to output bitstream, why doesn't it work?
Dan: That is what we are hoping to address in a future update
Auri: Ok, so it's a bug?
Dan: I don't think it would be classified as a bug, just not a feature that is available yet
Auri: But wouldn't it be a bug if the box and your Web site say the system supports TrueHD and DTS HD but doesn't actually support it?
Dan: it does support that format, just cant output at this time. It converts the signal to PCM
Auri: Yeah, but it advertises it supports it. Most consumers would believe that the expensive equipment they buy for their BluRay setup would work as the box advertises. Then they would connect and not get what they were promised. Onkyo says Bitstream will work. You don't actually send the bitstream - you send PCM. So you actually re-encode it to PCM instead of passing the real signal.
Auri: So that would be a bug, not just "technically".
Dan: I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't have any further information at this time.
Auri: So can I get it filed as a bug?
Dan: We are aware of this issue.
Auri: So then it's filed as a bug? I hate to be a pest, but it sounds like a bug, but you're telling me it's working as intended?
Dan: We are aware of this issue, hopefully future updates will address this
Auri: Ok, well, thanks for your time!
Dan: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today.
Auri: Thanks. Cya.