Does PS3 decode dolby digital/AC-3 or just passthrough?

[wm_cheng]

Hi all,

I am considering getting the PS3 as a cheap Blu-ray/SD DVD player. However, I don't have an optical in on my amp yet (receiver upgrade to come...) and must rely on the source player to process/decode the surround information and pass the sound information along via RCA cables. I notice there is an AV Multi-out for the PS3 as an accessory but only see two audio cables (RCA left & right).

So if I don't have an optical in and the receiver to process the surround - does that mean if I get this accessory cable that I will only get a stereo downmix on SD-DVDs or BR-DVD movies?

[rod farva]

yes. i think the cable is included in box.

[wm_cheng]

What kind of cables are included in the box? I know it doesn't come with component or HDMI, is it an AV - composite & 2 RCA left & right one?

There's no such Sony AV - 5.1 RCA audio is there?

[Chevalde3]

if you have coax in SPDIF on your receiver, just google «optical to coax converter»

[wm_cheng]

Nope, unfortunately... Its my beloved 20yr old Yamaha Natural Sound AVC-50 & DSP-E492 setup - it still sounds great (one of the first AV amps) but its seriously long in the tooth when it comes to new connections. Unfortunately my budget doesn't allow me to upgrade the amp as well.

Is there such a thing as coax or optical converter to 5.1 RCA cables?

[rod farva]

yes, its called a receiver. i'm sure you could find a decent second hand receiver for under $100.

[HT gearhead]

Ignoring the last poster's snarky remark, perhaps you should consider upgrading your amp first and worry about the PS3 later. It's not like Sony is going to stop making them anytime soon and prices on them seem to be going down as time goes on instead of wasting money on connectors you won't use once you upgrade your amp anyway.

[wm_cheng]

Yes, that would be the sensible thing to do. However, the whole reason I'm jumping on the HD bandwagon is that I've decided to get a HD projector (probably finalizing on the Panasonic PT-AE2000) and that's what has all my budget right now. I have quite a SD-DVD collection, but I was lead to believe that the newer HD DVD players (either format) did a really good job of up-conversion (much better than the projector could from my old Sony DVP-C650 that doesn't even have progressive scan). So to keep my older SD-DVD happy, I needed to get a decent up-converting DVD player - but to realize the potential of the newly added HD projector, I thought I should feed it an HD source. The PS3 at $400 seems to be the cheapest solution for the time being (being not that much more than an Oppo) and I get the best of both worlds (plus a bonus game machine!). Plus, I would be able to see what my new projector can do picturewise right off. I'm sure in a few years I'll be totally HD - so I'm just padding my transition.

The Receivers/Amps I've been eyeing are the Yamaha RX-V3800 or the Onkyo TS-SR875 - so thats another $2K (I'd like to get something good that I won't leave me wanting in a few years - my current setup is my old Yamaha AVC-50 + DSP-E492 which has served me well for the last 20yrs!)

[Atlantic Home Theatre]

I have to say as an early adopter, HD DVD is very good, but as a a new PS3 owner, it's all about what you want. The PS3 is a do it all unit, amazing PQ, SQ, excellent upconvert to 1080p!!! and streaming off your home PC via wireless, it all depends on who you think may win the format war. Really, if all you care about is content, then pick the format that has more studios that fit your viewing pleasure, I want both, hence the neutral stance. Having said that, I believe that the PS3 offers more value for the money from what I have seen so far, assuming you can/will you use it's advantages. I paid $400 CAD for the PS3 40GB vs maybe $299 for the Tosh. A3....no comparison, period. I still love HD DVD!!!!

Flame suit on...yee haa

[superdynamite]

Originally Posted by wm_cheng

Hi all,

I am considering getting the PS3 as a cheap Blu-ray/SD DVD player. However, I don't have an optical in on my amp yet (receiver upgrade to come...) and must rely on the source player to process/decode the surround information and pass the sound information along via RCA cables. I notice there is an AV Multi-out for the PS3 as an accessory but only see two audio cables (RCA left & right).

So if I don't have an optical in and the receiver to process the surround - does that mean if I get this accessory cable that I will only get a stereo downmix on SD-DVDs or BR-DVD movies?

You can set the PS3's video & audio output for any one of several outputs. It decodes everything including Divx (V2.0>)

[wm_cheng]

Oh, so is there a setting to decode Dolby Digital 5.1 and an accessory adapter that is the Sony PS proprietary split into the 6 RCA audio ends?