Sony BDP- S760: Does multichannel out actually decode DTS-MA?

[admin_exported]

I have a Sony S760 connected via multichannel analogue outputs to a Denon 3802 (too old for HDMI).

When I check the sound using the 'display' button on the Sony it usually tells me what I am listening to (PCM, Dolby TrueHD, Dts, etc). However I noticed that regardless of what DTS track I listen to, it never says DTS-MA.

Is this normal? Does anybody know whether the Sony can actually decode DTS-MA internally and output through analogue or whether in fact I am just getting the core Dts track (the Sony has no problem identifying Dolby TrueHD). I would have thought the Sony would differentiate a Master Audio track.

I am hoping this is just a feature and that I am not going to have to upgrade my amp to get Master Audio.

Pete

 

[The_Lhc]

Your amp doesn't know what it's receiving beyond that it's multi-channel analogue audio. This is because the 760 IS decoding the digitally encoded signal, not because it isn't.

You'll only get all the lights on the amp showing up if you use a digital connection, which of course you can't because the amp's too old.

You won't see anything for Dolby TrueHD either btw.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Lhc. Its not the display on the amp but the display function on the Blu Ray player (when you hit 'display', on screen you will see the time, transfer rate, video codec and sound details (what format your are listening to, i.e Dolby Digital 3/2/1 48Khz).

My query is that this display identifies Dolby TrueHD, PMC etc, however it only ever picks up DTS as Dts, it never differentiates between DTS and DTS-MA (as it identifies Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD)

Is this normal or does this mean it isn't actually decoding DTS-MA and only decoding the core DTS?

 

[nads]

you have made sure the the MA track was selected? not all discs default to the HD tracks.

 

[The_Lhc]

Yeah what nads said, lots of BDs default to a non-HD soundtrack (especially Warner Brothers and they start playing the movie straight away, with the wrong soundtrack selected, which is doubly irritating.

But yes, as a 760 owner it should tell you what that it's the correct soundtrack when you hit the display button.

Works fine on mine, so the player can do it.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi again Lhc,

So you have an S760? Do you use HDMI or analogue? Does your's just say DTS or does it say DTS-MA?

I usually select the DTS MA track (or other lossless track where available). I will go through my settings when I get home in case there is an option I am missing to trun on DTS MA decoding.

Thanks

 

[The_Lhc]

renleg:Hi again Lhc,

I like you!

So you have an S760?

Yarp.

Do you use HDMI or analogue?

Analogue, I don't have an HDMI equipped amp.

Does your's just say DTS or does it say DTS-MA?

I'll be honest, I really can't remember! I'll try it when I get home tonight, I want to check out the Dark City BD I just had delivered, that's DTS-MA 7.1, so I'll check it then. Won't be till gone 8pm tonight though.

I usually select the DTS MA track (or other lossless track where available). I will go through my settings when I get home in case there is an option I am missing to trun on DTS MA decoding.

I can't remember what I set in the audio setup on the 760, I think it was just setting priority to multi-channel, I don't recall having to set anything extra for DTS-MA, I'll have a look through the setup options again.

 

[Anonymous]

I no very little about your player bur looking at the Sony S760 specs, it states

HD Master Audio decoding YES

HD Master Audio bitstream out YES

which suggests it should send 7.1 channels via analogue. It could be that the player just displays DTS whether its DTS, DTS HD or DTS HD Master.

If your are hearing 7.1 channels of sound, then the chances are you are not listening to the core as that should only normally output 5.1, and don't think at 1536kps it has enough headroom for the extra two channels.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks lhc, if you could let me know what your player does then that would be great.

Pete

 

[The_Lhc]

Right, stuck in the disc of Dark City this morning, which is a DTS-HD MA 7.1 track (defaults to that as well, which is nice) and pressing display whilst playing it says, in the top right corner of the screen:

1:English DTS-HD Master Audio 3/4.1 48kHz

Also the blue light is lit in the top centre of the 760's front panel, if it's not decoding the light is white.

Hope that helps...

 

[Anonymous]

Inetersting! I will have to pick myself up a copy of Dark City (I don,t know of many other discs with 7.1!).

Can I ask another favour please (well, perhaps 2 favours). Could you put in a BD with 5.1 DTS-MA and check tht it says DTS- MA 3/2.1 please? Also, are you aware of andecoding settings in the players menu that might explain why I only get DTS? Perhaps I need a irmware update!

Thanks forchecking Dark City, really appreciate it and at least I know someone out there is geting Master Audio from their Sony!

 

[The_Lhc]

renleg:Inetersting! I will have to pick myself up a copy of Dark City (I don,t know of many other discs with 7.1!).

Can I ask another favour please (well, perhaps 2 favours). Could you put in a BD with 5.1 DTS-MA and check tht it says DTS- MA 3/2.1 please?

Yes it does.

Also, are you aware of andecoding settings in the players menu that might explain why I only get DTS?

Oh yeah, that was the other thing I was supposed to check, sorry forgot. I'll look when I get home, or find a manual somewhere and look at that.

Perhaps I need a firmware update!

I don't believe so, however the first thing I did was a firmware update (it takes a VERY long time if you do it over the network by the way), before I set up anything (other than the network obviously...), so I can't confirm that.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Dark City is currently available as part of Play's 2-for-£18 Blu-ray deal

 

[The_Lhc]

I think I only paid 9 or 10 quid for it anyway, looks very good and it's the Director's Cut apparently, no idea what they've added I've only watched the first 20 minutes or so of it.

 

[Anonymous]

If you go into the setup menu and audio settings and change the BD Audio setting from 'Mix' to 'Direct' then you should be able to see DTS Master Audio on the display.

I have the Sony BDPS-550 and this seemed to work for me. The only drawback is that you have to change the setting back to 'mix' if you want to watch any picture-in-picture (bonus-view) feature.

I hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Fantastic! Works a treat, thanks smeg 4 brains! I had been scratching my head a lot wondering why i wasn't getting Master Audio!

Pete