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PCM vs DD

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Joe Murphy Jr

In Reply to: RE: PCM vs DD - why DD is louder in a 2 channel system ? posted by Kenny on June 11, 2008 at 06:10:19

Given the choice of PCM vs DD, why would you choose DD? I actually prefer 2.0 PCM from laserdisc enhanced with Pro-Logic vs DD 5.1 for movies. With the usually higher bit depth offered by Blu-ray, the choice is even clearer. For DD to sound better than PCM, there's definitely something set up incorrectly.

Check to see that the Dynamic Range Control (sometimes labeled DRC or Night Mode) is not engaged. The PCM offers a wider dynamic range compared to DD with DRC engaged and may appear to be weaker because softer passages are raised in volume when DRC is set for DD. DRC will make the average volume appear to be higher for DD because of the "squishing" that it's doing.

If you told the Blu-ray player that you only have a 2.0 system, it should down-mix all multi-channel sources to stereo: you'll obviously lose the surround experience, but still retain all of the multi-channel signal.

Follow Ups:

RE: PCM vs DD - Kenny 08:41:59 06/16/08 (1)
Hmm.. for my application, BD player coaxial to a 2-channel DAC to pre/power amp, PCM 2.0 sounds of course fantastic.

It is PCM 5.1 downmix to stereo that has a problem -- it just sounds thin and not as loud as DD 5.1 downmix to stereo. I am not even sure if Sony BDP downmix PCM 5.1 to stereo, or, they just ignore the 5.1, and pass the front stereo channels to the DAC & ignore the rest so it is less loud ?
- setup menu - Joe Murphy Jr 18:06:54 06/16/08 (0)
  You need to go into the setup menu and tell the player your speaker configuration/how you want the sound output. If you haven't done that, chances are it's incorrect for your setup.

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