PS3 to get DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, new PlayStation store
(Credit: CNET)Sony has announced the details on the next PS3 firmware update--version 2.30, coming mid-April--and the big news for home theater fans is that the PS3 is getting onboard DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding for Blu-ray movies. Home theater fans have long lamented that the PS3 could not decode the new DTS soundtracks at their highest resolution, especially since movie studios like Fox have opted for DTS-HD Master Audio on many Blu-ray releases. Without getting too technical, DTS-HD Master Audio offers 7-channels of lossless audio at 96K sampling frequency and 24-bit depths--which means that the sound sent to your receiver should be identical to the studio master.
While some sticklers will point out that the PS3 can't output Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in bitstream format, it's definitely a non-issue. Decoding the audio at the source is actually better than having the ability to bitstream high-resolution soundtracks, since it means even people with older HDMI-capable receivers can enjoy the high quality audio. Sure, your receiver won't light up the pretty DTS-HD Master Audio logo, but who cares--you still get the same great sound.
We have ranked the PS3 as the best Blu-ray player for quite some time, and this only sweetens the deal. Almost all of our major complaints have been addressed, except for the fact that it still doesn't work nicely with a universal remote. Some diehard home theater fans will cringe at the idea of using a game console as their main disc player, but they should get over their hang-up as the PS3 is currently the best Blu-ray has to offer and it also happens to be the cheapest. And you can play high-def games and stream music, movies and photos.
The new firmware will also include a much-needed overhaul to the PlayStation Store. The official PlayStation Blog posted a walkthrough of the new store, and we have to admit it looks pretty good. Check it below.
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Audiophiles, a significant portion of the customers who will care about this, likely purchase receivers or dedicated DACs with far higher quality (jitter-resistance, analog output stages, etc.) than the DAC integrated into the PS3. Is it more convenient for people who don't care about audio quality, as you say? Yes. But is it "the same great sound"? Almost certainly not.
According to most AV experts, most of the current crop of Blu-ray players don't even match the performance of cheapy $100 DVD players you can get at Wal-mart.
Protip: don't **** your readers off.
I do intend to use a PS3 as my blu-ray source (eventually). To those who point out the not-so-great dvd playback----you are probably right, so maybe just hold onto your current dvd-player for awhile longer.
Audiophiles crack me up.
Have you actually watched a DVD on the PS3 since they added upscaling? It's one of the best upconverting players on the market.
PS3 is really starting to look promising and worth buying. Now if they could just lower the price, because as much as I want to watch HD Blu-Ray movies... it still sucks as a gaming console! It has like NO GAMES!
...but when will the PLAYstation 3 get some games?
BrandeisGrad - you have confused decoding with digital to analogue conversion. The PS3 will output a digital PCM signal that has been decoded from DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD. Your receiver will still handle the Digital-to-Analogue conversion using it's DAC's. The decoding of Dolby TrueHD or DTS-MA to PCM is genuinely lossless, loosely analogous unzipping a zipped file and getting out exactly what you put in. As an "audiophile" (who's favorite music source is SACD and vinyl), I have no problem with that as there will be no loss of quality. It's an easy mistake to confuse decoding with digital to analogue conversion.
turboej25 - connect the PS3 HDMI to your HDMI capable receiver. Set the PS3 to output multi-channel PCM. BAM - you're done. Go watch Alvin and the Chipmunks in DTS-HD MA. Oh, wait....
It works great for controlling the all DVD functions and it replicates most PS3 controller functions.
It works with a compact USB receiver and has a 25' range and works well with IR repeaters.
A great add-on for a mere $20.00!
Ken
Vivid Visuals and Sound
For those who still say that the PS3 is bad with SD-DVDs, I cannot agree with this one, either. Not too long ago the lovely 'resume' functionality had been introduced for Blu-Ray and sddvd content. A bit before that, various methods of noise reduction had been implemented, complimenting the amazing (and far more previously intro'd) upscaling functionality of the console. Standard DVDs play Much better via the PS3 and said upscaler than many on the market today - this has been consistently stated in reviews and personally considered true. My movies play wonderfully through this console.
As for the games quip that I think I see too often to be ignored -- frankly, should be. The roster of A-qual games out for the PS3 shouldn't be ignored, and for those whom care too little to keep up, this is The year for PS3 software. Back log a bit and you will see games like Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, Burnout (which had been developed for PS3 and ported to X360 - so you're getting a quality game and not another crappy PS3-port), among Many others have come out, already. But GTAIV (surely not exclusive) is right around the corner, Gran Turismo: Prologue comes out this week (and it looks/plays fantastic), Metal Gear Solid IV, Home, Little Big Planet, Killzone II, Final Fantasy XIII, and a good bit more are further down the bend, all heavily anticipated this year. And FINALLY we're getting to a point where developers are much more comfortable with devving for the console... We're in the midst of some very interesting PS3 achievements. I understand that this article isn't particularly set forth for game and (our) flame wars, but I just think these are things worth mentioning to the enthusiast clinging on to reasons such as that one.. The 'no games' message is one I'm tired of reading and almost feel obligated to debunk lol.
I'm Reallllly not trying to start up anything - just providing useful information to those whom may be unaware -- we all know how easy it is to follow blindly negative commentary, just to avoid being disappointed with a purchase. I just want to assure those on the fence (for whatever reasons) that thus far I haven't been in the slightest.
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by daciple
April 14, 2008 1:11 AM PDT
- Dude i have an onkyo reciver and the ps3 i mos def recommend buying both...The bluray cant be beat and hell what other bluray player can access internet and play games dont wait go buy both!!!!!!! And when it comes to standard dvd the onkyo reciver i got came with a 6 disc upconverting dvd player n i never use it lol...I have the best upconverting system out its called a ps3......
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