PS3 Finally Getting DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding

April 10, 2008

While it’s not available yet, next week (on tax day no less) the 15th of April to be exact; PS3 owners will finally be able to utilize the DTS-HD MA audio tracks on their Blu-ray discs:

“DTS-HD Master Audio is noted for its pure, high-quality bit-for-bit sound. DTS-HD Master Audio has the capacity to deliver audio at a variable rate of 24.5Mbps on a Blu-ray disc.

DTS-HD Master Audio also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths. More than 100 Blu-ray movies and concert videos featuring premium DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks are said to be currently available.”

This is great news for PS3 owners but one word of caution, while the player will indeed be able to internally decode DTS-HD Master Audio, hardware limitations preclude the PS3 from sending the master audio as a bit-stream to newer receivers capable of deciding it internally.

I know that might be a bit confusing but just think of it in terms of where the decoding is being done, in the case of the PS3 the next-generation audio codec’s are decoded internally and sent out as multi-channel PCM. Other (stand-alone) players down-the-line might be able to transmit the bit-stream intact all the way to the receiver, what if any real-world benefit that might bring is debatable however.

Posted by B.Greenway | | Filed Under Blu-ray





Comments

6 Responses to “PS3 Finally Getting DTS-HD Master Audio Decoding”

  1. Happy PS3 owner on April 11th, 2008 12:39 am

    YES!! Finally!!! This is the PS3 news I was waiting for and beginning to wonder if it would ever come. Thank you. Love the blog BTW.

  2. Kevin on April 12th, 2008 8:21 am

    Good news. I just bought a PS3 (it’s still in the box) and was hoping this would happen. Any news how you will update the PS3?

  3. Jebb on April 14th, 2008 7:22 pm

    PS3 is trying to become a centerpiece for a home theater setting with gamers in mind. To think I almost bought a stand alone blue-ray player for its ability to playback discs only. This is what consumers want frequent updates that keeps the player current.
    Thanks SONY

  4. Finn on April 15th, 2008 12:00 am

    PS3 the best Blu-ray player…and worst game system…

  5. Jon on April 17th, 2008 9:59 am

    I think that it is great that the PS3 decodes it internally - that means that my receiver (which can utilize a multi-channel PCM track, but NOT DTS-HD MA) can take advantage of the dts-HD MA tracks on my BDs. Awesome.

    And the Wii is the worst. The games stink, and you look like a flailing idiot when you play it.

  6. krishna on April 17th, 2008 5:13 pm

    Great News! PS3 keeps getting better and better. When was the last time we evewr heard of anything we owned for over an year which get better as it gets old? I guess none EXCEPT PS3. Just when I thought Sony sucks, they come up with two piece of marvelous electronics with PS3 and PSP.

    Now, they should work to improve PSP with touch screen, internal harddrive, and bluetooth.

    BTW, this is a great site.

    P.S. PS3 is also the best next generation gaming system. Wii is great but the graphics suck. It reminds me of DOS games graphics.

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