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Playstation/Gaming Discussions => PS3 Discussion => Topic started by: mwinters on December 27, 2000, 08:14:37 AM

Title: 5.1
Post by: mwinters on December 27, 2000, 08:14:37 AM
tell me about the digital 5.1 sound.
Is it a card or cord?
how much is it?
Is it any good?
and any further information anyone can reply with would be great. thank you
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 27, 2000, 08:16:35 AM
to put it simply, AC3 is phenominal

you need a receiver that can decode it, and a special optical cable to transmit it.

my bro just picked up a RCA DTS receiver for 190$, but ive seen them go 800$ and higher for a residential model

mm

[Edited by mm on 12-27-2000 at 11:18 AM]
Title: ???
Post by: mwinters on December 27, 2000, 08:20:24 AM
how is what? and ac what is what? and what the **** did you just say?
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 27, 2000, 08:22:50 AM
i suggest you do some research, and profanity is NOT neccesary.

mm
Title: 5.1
Post by: mwinters on December 27, 2000, 08:31:40 AM
excuse my language. This is research.
Title: 5.1
Post by: THE EYE on December 27, 2000, 08:33:34 AM
How old are you ??? ;)

1) 5.1 (AC3/Dolby Digital and DTS) is a Soundformat wich gives you a DIGITAL Sound like in a Movietheatre... it splits the Sound in left, right, center, rear left rear right and LowfrequenzyFX... = 5.1

2) You need 5 Speakers and (but not strictly) a Subwoofer (for very low SoundFX)

3) You need some Extra Hardware, as there is a Receiver (for the DD or DTS Sound) the Speakers as mentioned above and a DVD Player like the PS2... now you have to connect the DVD Player to the Receiver via an Optical Cable and voila... Cinema like Sound !!! :D

IT IS AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: 5.1
Post by: politiepet on December 27, 2000, 09:16:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by mwinters
excuse my language. This is research.

if this is research then why don\'t you research some of the older posts, cuz this qwuestion is asked like a bezillion times before
Title: 5.1
Post by: THX on December 27, 2000, 10:44:59 AM
Dolby Digital - http://www.dolby.com/digital/diggenl.html
DTS - http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/faq.html

Do some more browsing on those sites for even more info if you want it.

btw- Real research involves going to a search engine and typing in words that you have a question about.  Why people still post this question on a ps2 board confuses me.
Title: 5.1
Post by: Dolbytone on December 27, 2000, 11:21:32 AM

They still post them here because they know that DA MAN stops by (that\'s me *cough* you know that right?)

Hey Eye, your post is a little confusing in that it leads one to believe that DTS is also an AC3 signal.  I\'m not thinking that it is since it has a different compression ratio and more actual source data.
Title: 5.1
Post by: THE EYE on December 27, 2000, 02:35:32 PM
Yes Dolbytone, you are right. It was writen a bit confusing... For sure Dolby Digital (or AC3) and DTS are NOT the same! They are two systems...
Title: 5.1
Post by: Samwise on December 27, 2000, 02:43:35 PM
5.1? *pfft*

I only listen to 6.1 now. You know, like Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES... :D

Nah, just kidding. 5.1 is ... acceptable. ;)
Title: 5.1
Post by: on December 27, 2000, 11:31:20 PM
DDEX and DTS-ES are both marketing pleas, and a waste of time and money.  It would cost you a **** load of money to get a receiver that decodes it, plus, you would also have to buy another speaker.  I could see how the format could be handy for theaters.  For example......the Marcus Theater down the street from the Best Buy i work at uses 7.1, and it sounds great.  However, what good would 4 discrete rear channels do you, if you did not have anywhere to place the speakers?  Seriously folks, if you look at the average customers living arrangement, their TV area is not a perfect rectangle, but instead rectangles w/open spaces (doors) etc.  Most of the time, it\'s not even rectangle shaped, but some odd shape instead.  Therefore, 6,7,8, or 9.1 would be useless. The reason these formats work in theaters, is because the room is enclosed, and equal in length on all sides.

We have hit a standard now, and it\'s called 5.1 surround.  Whether it be Dolby Digital, DTS, or whatever format that comes later.  It is the way to go for home theater.  I think....instead of worrying so much about Theater Surround in Home Receivers, audio companies, (sony for example)  should concentrate on making our music listening experience more lively, and natural.  (BRING ON DVD AUDIO!)  On another note, get rid of those damn ubiquitous/useless DSP modes.  (They drive me crazy)  My receiver has about 20 that i don\'t even touch!  

As far as connections go......the Optical (fiber optic) cable (39 dollars from Monster cable) is the most popular.  It\'s a good connection, however if you are going to use a 40 dollar cable on your DVD player (not talking PS2) go with the Digital Coaxial Cable.  It\'s much cleaner, and stronger.  (The monster opticals are only plastic covering at that price)

I do recommend getting both eventually, if your DVD player supports it.  The Optical cable is ideal for DTS, because it uses a higher bit rate.  Coaxial is the better option for using the standard Dolby Digital.
Title: 5.1
Post by: Huddy on December 28, 2000, 12:08:05 AM
6.1 is better.
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 28, 2000, 12:22:23 AM
define "better"
Title: 5.1
Post by: Dolbytone on December 28, 2000, 12:55:43 AM

I disagree with almost everything SaintKev3 said (except the thing about DVD audio).

Also, for your information, the coax cable is not a digital cable.  The information is converted to analog, run through the cable, converted back to digital and then piped into your DSP.
Title: 5.1
Post by: TheBigAssPaperClip on December 28, 2000, 09:58:09 AM
I have been wondering, is it possible to hook up a set of 5 speakers (a stero system, and a Labtech sound system) and then get something similar to 5 point one, do I just have to settle with regular surround sound?
Title: 5.1
Post by: THX on December 28, 2000, 10:12:44 AM
Dolby I\'m pretty sure Digital coaxial cable passes through a digital signal (zeros and ones).  If you can find a link saying otherwise though please let us know.
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 28, 2000, 10:23:55 AM
without a DSP, yer only getting {surround} stereo

mm
Title: 5.1
Post by: CRUCIALL on December 28, 2000, 10:47:29 AM
okay while the 5.1 can -o- worms is open I have a question...now I have my PS2 hooked to a system with 2 front speakers a center channel and 2 rear speakers as well as a sub woofer...now I\'m getting True Dolby Sourround Sound...right? I know it\'s not digital but 5.1 non the less right?
Title: 5.1
Post by: THE EYE on December 28, 2000, 10:57:59 AM
@ Dolbytone: As THX said, Coax is Digital... and it is supposed to be the better way to give you 5.1, but IMO you only can tell the diff. on realy expensive High End equipment !

@ mm: define "DSP"
IMO DSP is just some sort of special adjustment given by your receiver... a Yamaha has 20 (or more) a SONY has 5 or 6 ! DSP (DCS or whatever it is called) just adds some effects to the original sound.
I only use one DSP program on my SONY AV Receiver for Video, DVD, Radio and so on...
Title: 5.1
Post by: Huddy on December 28, 2000, 11:39:49 AM
6.1 is richer.

Granted 5.1 gives you the stereo effect, cept 6.1 gives it to you more dramaticly.

Reason I say this is because I\'ve been to the demo of it @ Chel\'s Audio.  Fun thing with 6.1 is you can even work it beta!

Now I know some people will probably flame me for saying it works with Beta, but Beta is better than VHS recording.  All news stations use, and I\'ve seen some pretty killer rips of movies on Beta.  Then again, its not DVD quality at all, plus, your sound system has to be on par with your players quality.


So 6.1 is better because it gives you more options.
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 28, 2000, 11:45:48 AM
i find a rear center channel [6.1] speaker VERY distracting, and dont even use it on my setup

mm
Title: 5.1
Post by: Huddy on December 28, 2000, 11:50:52 AM
Try watching Heat with 6.1.  Thats what the demo was playing.  Absoultely amazing.
Title: 5.1
Post by: know-it-all-wanna-be on December 28, 2000, 12:31:08 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Dolbytone

I disagree with almost everything SaintKev3 said (except the thing about DVD audio).

Also, for your information, the coax cable is not a digital cable.  The information is converted to analog, run through the cable, converted back to digital and then piped into your DSP.


i agree with dolbytone and disagree with the eyes and thx.  you can say i am on his side.  this is what i think, coaxial cable is not digital.  you need an extra accesory and equip it to convert analog to digital.  I am not sure about the signal loss if there\'s any.  anyway, like dolbytone said, digital is digital, so both optical and coaxial cable gives the same sound quality since both is digital and can transfer the same amount of information.  i prefer optical because it easier to hook up but coaxical isn\'t that hard to hook up anyway.
Title: 5.1
Post by: Falcon4 on December 28, 2000, 12:42:39 PM
but we all know 20.1 is thebest....
lots of wires though....
(Jk)
Title: 5.1
Post by: THX on December 28, 2000, 01:05:27 PM
DSP = digital signal processor for those that didnt know.   Some can alter incoming signals and make them sound like you\'re in a stadium, concert hall, cave, etc...  Can be pretty useful for some CDs, movie scenes but overall just a playtoy.

btw- most audiophiles prefer digital coax over toslink.
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 28, 2000, 03:23:58 PM
what good is HEAT gonna do on a DTS system when a DTS version was never released, only DD 5.1

mm
Title: 5.1
Post by: Dolbytone on December 28, 2000, 05:57:18 PM

Well, I found a reference for why people prefer Coax to Optical:

Quote
Digital coaxial wires use RCA connectors and are more robust than optical cables. Coaxial is preferred by many people in the high end due to it\'s inherent ability to pass a signal without the timing errors found when using some optical cables in specific applications. Optical cables should be used for short runs and never be bent tighter than a nine inch radius to prevent signal degradation.


I\'ll keep looking to see if I can find where I read the thing about D/A-A/D conversion of coaxial digital signals.  I saw it in a manual somewhere, but can\'t find it right now.  I\'ll let you know the source when I do find it.
Title: 5.1
Post by: THX on December 28, 2000, 07:23:04 PM
Here are several peoples\' posts on HTF

Quote
Originally posted in a Coax Vs TosLink (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/Forum14/HTML/031564.html) thread

I\'m a firm believer in the statement that "Bits are Bits!".
1\'s and 0\'s are either 1\'s or 0\'s. It\'s that simple, there is nothing in between! Differences in digital cable is all CRAP. IMO


Quote
Originally posted here (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/Forum14/HTML/031560.html)

Q: And just to confirm, digital coax and toslink both pass a pure digital signal right? (ones and zeros)

A:Yeah they both pass a 100% pure digital signal.


Still just a bbs so the sources could be misinformed, but I have yet to hear otherwise.
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 28, 2000, 07:51:53 PM
so which cable crates the least degredation of signal?

this is what i use from my DVD to receiver

(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhome.adelphia.net%2F%7Emichealo%2Fcable.bmp&hash=adb4ce4f94b6460c9cdf440947fe410b752c50a2)

Title: 5.1
Post by: EmperorRob on December 28, 2000, 08:37:42 PM
Personally I get a little confused on DTS, DolbyProLogic, and the others.

I just bought a Sony receiver today with all the above and I\'m running an Optical out cable, so is that DTS?

Also I\'m wondering about the 5.1 plugs.  For example, you have 1 left & right front and rear RCA jack.  So do you send 1 cable to each speaker?  And where on the speaker do you plug it (left,right)?

Thanks for any replies but please no longer than 1 page answers :D
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 28, 2000, 09:28:39 PM
the RCA jacks dont go to yer speakers. if yer using RCA cables, then yer not getting DD 5.1 sound, least of all DTS.  yer receiver that u bought must SPECIFICALLY state that it supports DTS.

example

red = optical cable inputs
green = speaker output

(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhome.adelphia.net%2F%7Emichealo%2Frec.bmp&hash=44525261f3d13d61afd5114c51ed07795b4bf400)

Title: 5.1
Post by: EmperorRob on December 28, 2000, 11:04:09 PM
Yes I have the opticals.  Is that DTS?

I was just guessing at the what to plug in the 5.1 set.  And yes  my receiver supports it.  No camera, so can\'t show you a pic.  It\'s a new Sony.
Title: 5.1
Post by: Dolbytone on December 28, 2000, 11:46:48 PM
Well, I have searched and searched and I figure I\'d have found something but it seems not to be, so it looks like I stand corrected on the coaxial output issue.  But on a bright note I found a killer place to refer everyone with cabling and DVD questions!

Check it out here (http://www.howstuffworks.com/dvd.htm?printable=1).

I am still determined to find what led me to that conclusion so when I find it I\'ll let you know and we can all be pissed at them.
Title: 5.1
Post by: THX on December 28, 2000, 11:55:25 PM
Dolby- great site!  One of the best explainations I\'ve seen on the subject.

mm- The best cable?  Bettercables.com, Canare, & Belden are all better than Monster Cable, for about the same price too.

Rob- Optical can transfer a DTS signal but make sure your DVD player, receiver, and DVD case(s) bear the DTS logo (shown below).  Also make sure you set your DVD player to be outputting a dts signal and your receiver to be decoding it.  You\'ll have to read your manual for an in-depth explaination.

(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dtsonline.com%2Fbuttons%2Fdigitalsurround.gif&hash=479286e78979c470700b639671a2683a82c7ae15)
Title: 5.1
Post by: EmperorRob on December 29, 2000, 07:55:24 AM
Sweet, thanks THX.  Can you set up the PS2 to do that from its bios screen or do you have to insert a DVD to do it?  I was under the impression that our PS2 games are DTS.
Title: 5.1
Post by: mm on December 29, 2000, 09:21:30 AM
no are no PS2 games released so far that are DTS.  to hear DTS sound, u must insert a DVD with DTS encryption such as Gladiator, or Saving Private Ryan.  

pesonally i cant hear a lick of difference between AC3 and DTS

mm