HD and SD are they PCM or Dolby

noah12 · 2025-09-26T14:04:33-0400

Are all the HD channels in Dolby and the SD channels in PCM, I get some audio fluctuations with my new 9500 just wondering, noticeable when changing channels SD and HD

57 · 2025-09-26T14:55:36-0400

Most HD channels are DD5.1, although some are still DD2.0. Channels do not broadcast in PCM, so most/all SD channels are DD2.0, not PCM. Bell may change this, but it's probably a setting in the box if that's what you see at the AVR.

FAQ on the topic below. It probably needs some updating, but most of the information is correct.

FAQ - What's Available in DD5.1

Updated 2019.04.21 Almost all SD channels are DD2.0. (DD2.0 sound can be processed by Dolby Pro Logic II or other DSPs in your AVR to produce surround sound, but is not DD5.1. For most TV sources, DPLII is the appropriate setting for DD2.0 or "stereo" or "two channel" signals) Most...

www.digitalhome.ca

ExDilbert · 2025-09-27T12:31:58-0400

57 said:
Channels do not broadcast in PCM, so most/all SD channels are DD2.0, not PCM.

The standard for NTSC is PCM. For ATSC it is DD. Specialty channels may not adhere to those standards and may use either. Some TV services may convert the audio format to comply with their own protocols.

noah12 · 2025-09-26T15:21:50-0400

Thanks for all the info 57, helpful.

17671 · 2025-09-27T15:11:35-0400

are you listening thru your TV or thru a Stereo Receiver?

noah12 · 2025-09-28T01:27:42-0400

TV, yes i know Tv is not great, long story, purchased another sound bar see how that goes

17671 · 2025-09-27T15:13:03-0400

I dont think Ive ever watch an SD broadcast recently, with the exception of the rare DVD, but even those are mainly DD2.0/5.1

ExDilbert · 2025-09-27T18:00:17-0400

When I had Bell satellite, almost all the SD channels were PCM stereo. The main exception was TMN (now Crave.) The HD channels were all DD. That may have changed but only because the SD channels became downgraded ATSC broadcasts instead of NTSC broadcasts. Specialty channels upgraded their audio for HD as well. That doesn't change the fact that most native SD broadcasts use PCM.

57 · 2025-09-27T23:27:34-0400

ExDilbert said:
1. When I had Bell satellite, almost all the SD channels were PCM stereo.
2. That doesn't change the fact that most native SD broadcasts use PCM.

1. That may have been true when there were still analog channels. Rogers can pass the (audio) signal untouched through to my AVR via the box(es), regardless if they were legacy digital cable or now IPTV (Xfinity). All channels are, and were, DD after the switch to ATSC by broadcasters.

1b. What you had is irrelevant to the discussion today. You continue to muddy the waters regarding the topic of this thread. I believe if you saw PCM it was because that was what the Bell box output, not what was broadcast (with ATSC channels).
2. NTSC (analogue TV broadcasts) no longer exists, and by your own post you stated that ATSC is DD, therefore all channels are now DD2.0 or DD5.1 (and rarely some other DD format like DD1.0 or DD5.0 or DD6.1.)

The audio level fluctuations mentioned by the OP are probably due to the switch between DD5.1 and DD2.0, as discussed in my original response and in the FAQ I provided.

Please stop confusing readers of this thread by posting irrelevant and outdated information.

ShawViewer · 2025-09-28T04:28:54-0400

Rogers/Shawgers Xfinity is Dolby Digital Plus

HD and SD are they PCM or Dolby

FAQ - What's Available in DD5.1

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