Hey Everyone! We know you’re all patiently waiting for the next PS3 firmware update, ver. 2.30, which includes the revamped PLAYSTATION Store. The good news is that it’s coming soon, and you can now see how the new user interface will look in this video demo featuring Grace Chen.
I have more good news to report today – the system software update will also add DTS-HD Master Audio output for Blu-ray videos, which means the high-definition visuals of Blu-ray will now be matched with the highest quality audio for the ultimate movie-watching experience on PS3.
DTS-HD Master Audio is literally bit-for-bit identical to the studio master recording and makes movie soundtracks and sound effects truly come to life. The technology delivers audio at the incredibly high rate of 24.5 mega-bits per second (Mbps) on Blu-ray disc, which is significantly higher than standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths, so you’ll be totally immersed in the sound. The firmware update will add DTS-HD High Resolution Audio as well, which is a similar output technology that requires less disc space. You can read more about both codecs here.
A lot of you, particularly the home theatre enthusiasts and audiophiles out there, have been asking us for this capability, and we can’t wait until you have an opportunity to pop in a compatible Blu-ray video to test it out for yourself.
NIce one! Can’t wait to check it out! Good job Grace, and the Sony team.
Hmm. Usually I know more about this, but I’m getting format overload. (Will firmware 2.4 support playing vinyl. ;) )
For DTS-HD Master or DTS-HD Hi Res, is everything done on the compressor side, and my existing receiver, which supports DTS, already support DTS-HD, or do I need a receiver that explicitly supports DTS-HD format?
I’d normally just belay the issue for the future, but I need to buy a new sound system for the master bedroom. I was thinking about just going with one of these Bose Cinemate idiot-proof units that DSP 2.1 analog inputs for that “surround” feel — sounds impressive by the way; I find Bose has a name but doesn’t always get it right; they did here, for rectangular rooms with evenly spaced walls, of course, like bedrooms.
But if I need DTS-HD support in addition to DTS, I may move the Onkyo from downstairs up there with two new fronts and a sub — it’s full 5.1, but has a very good 2.1 5.1-faker DSP mode — and buy a receiver that supports DTS-HD.
The PS3 decodes and outputs the DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD Hi Res to PCM (5.1) or (7.1) depending on the number of audio channels supported in the DTS-HD audio. An A/V receiver only needs to support PCM 7.1 or 5.1 in order to receive the audio output. It is not necessary to have an A/V receiver to support DTS-HD for playback.