Are there different versions of PCM?? Have I bought the wrong receiver?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Are there different versions of PCM?? Have I bought the wrong receiver?

Daneger

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#56820 24-Jan-2010 22:51

Hey guys,

I own a PS3 so it does all my decoding - I wanted a budget AV Receiver that will accept PCM over HDMI. I was recommended the Denon 1509 as an option, after looking in to it I purchased.

NOW.. After having a flick through the manual, I see that the decoder is 2 channel PCM.... Are there different versions of LPCM/PCM? Is this a basic 2 channel vs a potential 5 Channel that I want to run with my 5.1 system?

Can someone set me straight here, is my receiver to basic to play 5.1 sound via PCM from my PS3 and out over my 5.1 system?

I havent unboxed/set up anything yet and don't want to if I have potentially purchased the wrong bloody thing!

Batman

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#292803 25-Jan-2010 00:50

where do you see decoder is 2 channel pcm?

if you're looking at pg 45: it means if you have 2 chan pcm ie stereo it can turn it into 5 channel - jazz, dolby, dts etc etc. but if you receive multichan pcm it cant turn it into something else

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Batman

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#292804 25-Jan-2010 00:58

actually pages 10, 11 says otherwise - you're right it does not accept audio over hdmi!

Daneger

57 posts

Master Geek

#292835 25-Jan-2010 10:23

I was looking at pages 28 - seems to mention (2 CH) and 48 mentions Linear PCM vs Linear PCM (multi channel).

After reading pages 10 and 11 I'm thinking this receiver doesnt do what I need it to right? Based on what I can assume it will not accept audio from my PS3 over HDMI, I would need to use another connection?

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

Will Paul Money take it back and let me upgrade do you think?

bazzer

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#292839 25-Jan-2010 10:37

Did you explain to them when you bought it what you wanted it for? If so, I'd think they'd be obliged to.

You probably need to step up to the 1909 or 1610.

Daneger

57 posts

Master Geek

#292843 25-Jan-2010 10:51

Yeah I'm pretty sure I was clear with what I was after, although I was already under the impression the 1509 would do what I was after so maybe I didnt quite cover that it was HDMI I wanted to use. Either way its still unused in the box any way so hopefully they let me swap it.

As for the varying PCM's - is there a difference in quality? Something I should be looking for with a new receiver? You can see the different PS3 settings for PCM here: http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/audiooutput.html

bazzer

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#292845 25-Jan-2010 10:54

No, PCM is PCM. It's already decoded, the only variable is the quality of the DAC in your receiver. Those settings are just the different bitrates/channels that your receiver will accept. Ideally your new receiver would accept 7.1/192kHz PCM via HDMI.

Daneger

57 posts

Master Geek

#292852 25-Jan-2010 11:51

Ok so I want a reciever that can accept the highest quality PCM .. which in my case will only be 5.1 as I will not be expanding to 7.1

I'm guessing then if I get a receiver that accepts audio over HDMI it will already be able to handle the best PCM 5.1 right?

And will I need HDMI Repeater, Switcher or Pass-Through?

Can anyone recommend a receiver from Paul Money that is reasonably priced and can do this? Him maybe?:http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/amplifiersreceiversprocessors/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v365home-theatre-rec

Thanks everyone.

richms

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#292956 25-Jan-2010 19:48

Not everything will take multichannel over HDMI, some are stereo or bitstream only.

Richard rich.ms

Daneger

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#292986 25-Jan-2010 21:28

richms: Not everything will take multichannel over HDMI, some are stereo or bitstream only.

Ah, thats interesting - so I need to be careful then.

Will this one do Multi Channel PCM over HDMI?

http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/amplifiersreceiversprocessors/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v365home-theatre-rec

richms

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#293004 25-Jan-2010 22:12

It only mentions switching, so it may do nothing with audio on the HDMI port - lots used to be like that when hdmi was new, all it is in some is a switch that does nothing with anything other then switch at the same time as your audio selection. May not even do hdmi from component or composite inputs so still needing multiple cables to the display.

Also at that price I suspect the page is really out of date - its a $225US receiver.

Richard rich.ms

Jaxson

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#293096 26-Jan-2010 10:51

A lot of sales people had problems with the concept of the player doing the decoding of HD audio and passing this to the receiver.

I got told by the department manager at my local H/N that the PS3 couldn't do all the HD audio formats for instance so I needed to buy a far more expensive receiver to go with it... even though the original fat PS3 can only decode internally, so the receiver does nothing more than accept the decoded info.

Anyway, these days with the newer models coming out, you'd probably be best to just opt for a receiver that can decode all the HD audio formats, which in turn almost definitely guarantees it will be able to play the decoded PCM from the PS3. If you have a slim PS3 it could actually pass the compressed audio out for the receiver do some decoding instead too.

Daneger

57 posts

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#293113 26-Jan-2010 11:53

Wow - this is confusing as hell... not really sure what to do now.

So at the moment I have the Denon 1509, and I have had it confirmed it WILL NOT accept Mulitchannel PCM over HDMI.

What would be recommendations at Paul Money: http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/amplifiersreceiversprocessors/av-receivers/

Apaprently the Yamaha 465 is @ $749, and the Yamaha 565 is @ $849.

The 565 will take analogue/component signals and out put via HDMI which would potentially come in handy - but i'm just not so sure these prices are that sharp?