Blu_ray Music Videos and audio Formats

[djwhog]

OK I have a question on the formats I have seen on some of the Blu_ray music concerts.

Can some explain in detail for me each of these options, or point to a source link.

These are above and beyond the basic 5.1 dts and standard stereo I used to see on DVDs.

Here are the options on the audio:

LPCM Stereo
Is this just a down mix to stereo? What does LPCM stand for?

Dolby Digital 5.1
OK I got it this 5 ch sound similar to a DVD output right?

DTS HD Master Audio
What is the diff from Dolby Digital 5.1 on this?

OK, and is this last format the best in terms of range etc?

thank guys

[-E-]

LPCM Stereo= Lossless PCM, 2-channel. It should tell you what bitrate/sampling rate it is at from there (16/48, 24/48, 24/92, 24/192, etc.). Assuming you get at least 24-bit depth, this would be very nice for 2-channel only systems and blu-ray playback.

DD5.1: Lossy Codec, just like DTS, a compressed 16/48 track. Avoid at all costs.

DTS-HD Master Audio: Also referred to as DTS-MA (DTS-Master Audio) or its competitors from DD, Dolby Digital-True HD (DD-THD). This is a lossless surround-sound codec. The audio quality (especially for multichannel) is exceptional. If you were to compared this A/B with the lossy codec you would wonder how you ever listened to the old lossy ways (it is that dramatic). You need multichannel for this codec. Currently, there are no supported ways to take the lossless DTS-MA or DD-THD codec and make them into 2-channel while still staying in the lossless codec. Basically, if you have a 5.1 or 7.1 system and have Bitstream or Multichannel LPCM capability over HDMI within your pre/pro/receiver OR you utilize the analog outputs from your Blu-Ray player to the inputs of your receiver, you can take advantage of this codec.

Clear as mud?

[Kal Rubinson]

There is a way to convert dts-MA or Dolby THD to stereo. Have the player convert it to PCM for transmission (via HDMI) to the processor and then have the processor play it in stereo. If your processor cannot do that with MCH sources, you can, temporarily, edit the setup menus and tell it that you have only L/R/sub.

[djwhog]

Vesuvius, thank you a bunch!


I run the blu-ray player with the multiple analog cables, kinda per ivan’s recommendation. Does seem to sound better, more open and better control then when I was running the HDMI multi.

Also I can really tell the diff on the DTS-HD Master Audio: Vs the standard DTS, and yes the other reply, you can on my player change the sound LR, RL, center 1, 2 3, 4 etc orders etc.

And the MX 150 does seem to do a very good job in music mode or stereo mode of delivering the sound in the LPCM Stereo. It is very very clear as well.

And back to the DTS-HD Master Audio, the blu-ray concerts Kenny G etc sound very very good, it is I would say almost equal to a SACD even I nthe staging and overall output. But the last little bit of openness etc does still seem better on an SACD, but this could be a limit of my equipment too? My player is the top line of a Pioneer elite, but does NOT support SACD, and I have a sony ES777 player for sacd, but it only has the 2 analog rcas and like the Mac MCD500, 1100, only does the 2 channel.

So again thanks, and I think I will start another thread for the MX150. I noticed in the setup for music mode, movie mode etc, there are several options for DTS and other settings that I am not very familiar with as far as what they do, what works betst per material play back settings etc. And I see little explaination n the Mac book on the settings. So far in the past month I have knida only played around with the settings and done the ear test and guess method.

Here is a shot of the 150 settings I have in question, and maybe it is best to put them in another thread, but they do seem related to my 1st post on this topic.


This is just one of many of the audio processing settings page.



There are settings for PLIIx width, dimension, neo6 etc.


I am kinda lost on all of that stuff. I wish there was a major glossary on the settings, terms etc.



Mabe there is a past link threaad etc o nthe board for them?


take care and again thank you so much for the expertise buddy

[Masterlu]

[djwhog]

So Ivan on you dolby settings they look the same as mine, but there are so many adjustments on this and then there is the voicing, dts etc. and then there is advanced too. WOW almost kinda well. it is over whelming the settings options almost in the 100s-1000s on the mx 150 you can tweak huh

How does one learn all this stuff, what they actually mean etc?

Is there a guide etc i am missing?

thanks!

[djwhog]

OK I found this and it clears up some stuff, and yet adds more questions too

Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Good source of info for a novice like me on surround setting options.

[-E-]

There should be little material (even on cable or satellite nowadays) that you would ever have to engage the PL codec. I would also avoid that, unless you are fed a 2.0 feed from sat/cable and want to matrix your surround sound (like we used to do in the old days prior to discrete 5.1). The PLIIx settings there have to do with how the processor will matrix the two channel sound - so depending on speaker placement (and moreso how you think it sounds), width/dimension/etc. can all be adjusted.

To your SACD predicament (if it is one...): perhaps someone who is huge in the SACD camp can clarify if they are releasing over-rez's 5.1 channel mixes now... I thought the highest bit/sample rates were reserved for 2 channel playback only (why most high-end SACD players are two channel iirc).

It's a fun toy to play with - be thankful they gave ya'll a web GUI, doing all that from a remote would seem tedious bordering on suicidal.

[djwhog]

Thanks, I think you are correct on the sacd res, but the shm versions of the sacds are higher res and range into all 5 ch., but these cost bcks, are even more limited etc.


It is kinda sad, you can buy, configure etc some way out there highend gear, but again, it is only as good as the source you play. And most of it is kinda crappy at best

Like buying a Race car and going down to a costco station and putting in 85 oct. What is the poin?

I mean on paper, specs, scopes etc sure you can test and build to the sky, but the source you play is the real bottom lin.

To bad and sad we live in a world now a days of mass produced low end junk. Well as far as most source goes.

At least can still own top end gear

[thughes]

OR you utilize the analog outputs from your Blu-Ray player to the inputs of your receiver, you can take advantage of this codec.

I let the Oppo 95 take care of this. I use two channels and a sub out of the Oppo analog into the C45 inputs (no audio HDMI involved). I then have the Oppo set up to mix the center and back channels into the two channel set up.

You can generally switch back and forth on the fly with the LPCM 2.0 and the lossless Codecs to see what sounds best. For me, I stick with DTS HD Master.

Dolby True HD seems to losing out to DTS HD Master. I don't find it on many newer Blu-rays.