Engadget

PS3 firmware 3.30 sneaks in remote play from PC, bitstream audio options

Richard Lawler — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:07:00 EST

Additional trophy sorting and 3D gaming readiness should have been enough to satisfy and PS3 owner after the latest v3.30 system update (hey, at least it didn't take anything away this time) but there's a couple other surprises in store. If you're the kind of person who loves (or hates) their beeps and bloops, there's a toggle for Bitstream Direct (output audio with the original digital signal prioritized) or Mix (mixed with sound effects such as button sounds and then converted to bitstream format) on Blu-ray movies, while future VAIO PC owners can get a taste of remote play without any PSP intermediary. Other, unconfirmed, reports include updated Flash compatibility, enhanced region free Blu-ray movie playback, the usual complaints of bricked or otherwise busted consoles as well as erroneous claims of an updated EULA that maintains Sony can update your PS3 whenever it wants (newsflash - it's always said that.) Sure, you can always wait for a custom build from Geohot instead, but we've got a Fat Princess to rescue.

PS3 firmware 3.30 sneaks in remote play from PC, bitstream audio options originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PowerDVD 9 patch to bring bitstreaming to Radeon 5000 users

Ben Drawbaugh — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST

So you've had the Blu-ray drive in your PC, and you just picked up the latest Radeon 5000 series video card, but you still don't have the TrueHD or DTS-HD lights lit up on your receiver. Well the wait is over this Friday -- if you use PowerDVD -- because Cyberlink is set to release a patch for PowerDVD 9 that will enable bitstream goodness to those equipped. Yep, that means the wait is over and you can finally build a HTPC that will match even the best Blu-ray player feature for feature.

PowerDVD 9 patch to bring bitstreaming to Radeon 5000 users originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ATI Radeon HD 5750 brings HDMI bliss to HTPCs for $110

Ben Drawbaugh — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:25:00 EST

We knew that video cards that could bitstream all the latest HD codecs wouldn't always cost $380, but we certainly didn't expect a cheaper alternative in two weeks. Of course price and HDMI audio capabilities aren't the only factors when choosing a video card for your HTPC, so you might want to keep waiting -- you know another few weeks -- for a version that doesn't take up two of your card slots for a fan that is no doubt anything but quiet. Anandtech is predicting you might have to wait another year for the perfect HTPC video card in the way of the 5600 series.

[Via Missing Remote]

Filed under: Blu-ray, Media PCs

ATI Radeon HD 5750 brings HDMI bliss to HTPCs for $110 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ATI Radeon HD 5870 is the first video card to bitstream TrueHD and DTS-HD

Ben Drawbaugh — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:43:00 EST

The good news is that you can finally get both compressed and uncompressed HD audio off a Blu-ray Disc and into your A/V receiver without the need of a dedicated sound card. The bad news is that at $380, the ATI Radeon HD 5870 still costs more than a stand-alone Blu-ray player and that price doesn't even include playback software. That's ok with us though, as we're used to being charged early adopter tax, and now the first video card with this ability is released, it should only be a matter of time before this feature trickles down to video cards we can actually afford.

Filed under: Blu-ray, Media PCs

ATI Radeon HD 5870 is the first video card to bitstream TrueHD and DTS-HD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 Slim bitstreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio, at last

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:53:00 EST

Slowly, ever so slowly we're beginning to learn about the internal differences between Sony's new PS3 Slim and its chubby ancestry. We already knew that it supported BraviaLink while talk of "faster gaming" was introduced (suspiciously) yesterday; something that remains very much in doubt until we can confirm. Now we hear that the fatboy gone slim supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream output to your receiver. Hear that audio nerds? Bitstream. See the HDMI chip on previous generations of the PS3 didn't support bitstream output of the new(ish) high def codecs like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. As such, the PS3 had to decode it internally before sending it over to your receiver via LPCM. A process that could garble the lossless audio depending on your setup. Even though the vast majority of people will never notice the difference (or even care), PS3 Slim owners can still kick back in smug satisfaction each time the TrueHD or DTS-HD MA indicators light-up on their receivers.

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Players, Sony

PS3 Slim bitstreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio, at last originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 Slim bitsreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio, at last

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:53:00 EST

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment

PS3 Slim bitsreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio, at last originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LPCM is not always equal to bitstream

Ben Drawbaugh — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:38:00 EST

This is an on going debate on certain forums and for good reason. The fundamental question is where should you decode your lossless audio? In DVD players we almost always decoded compressed audio in the A/V receiver, but when it comes to Blu-ray features like Bonus View, there is at least one specific reason to decode in the player.

Continue reading LPCM is not always equal to bitstream

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray

LPCM is not always equal to bitstream originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC

Darren Murph — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:00 EST

Earlier this month, ASUS introduced the "world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio / video enhancement combo card." Who knew numero dos was so close behind? Auzentech has just announced its very own HDMI 1.3-native PCIe audio combo card, which is built around Creative's X-Fi processor and enables PC users to easily output 7.1-channel audio with no downsampling. Essentially, the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 "accepts video from either an internal or external connection, mixes it with digital audio, and outputs the combined video and lossless multichannel audio via a single HDMI 1.3 port." Yep, that means Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs are fully supported. The only digs? For one, pricing remains a mystery, but the real kicker is the September release -- talk about a long wait.

Filed under: Blu-ray, Media PCs, Other hardware, Ports, Speakers, Others

Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC

Darren Murph — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Media PCs, Peripherals, Portable Audio

Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 HDMI sound card does bitstream output from your HTPC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung delays fourth gen BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, adds BD-Live

Richard Lawler — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST

We can't really see the logic in releasing a Blu-ray player without BD-Live in 2008 -- and neither can Samsung, which just announced its fourth generation BD-P1500 will be BD-Live Ready. The bad news is the May release date announced earlier has slipped to June, and the formerly comfortable $399 MSRP ~~is now a less promising TBA~~. We're not sure if that "ready" tag means it will be BD-Live enabled out of the gate, however DTS-HD "High resolution" is confirmed on the way in a future firmware update. A slight delay for a significant upgrade in features? We'll allow it.

Update: Samsung let us know the press release was in error, the MSRP will remain at $399.

Filed under: Blu-ray, Players, Samsung

Samsung delays fourth gen BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, adds BD-Live originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll: Which is better LPCM or Bitstream?

Ben Drawbaugh — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:44:00 EST

For years we've sent digital audio in the form of a compressed bitstream from our disc player to our audio/video receiver for decoding. So whether we used a Toslink cable or coaxial digital cable, the Dolby Digital or DTS signal wasn't decoded by our player. But today -- thanks to HDMI -- we have the bandwidth to send uncompressed multi-channel audio from the player to the amp without having to resort to six or eight analog RCA cables -- ala the PS3. And with the latest version of HDMI 1.3, we also have the more traditional option of letting our AV/R do the heavy lifting. But of course this begs the question; which is best? On one hand if we decode in the player we lose the ability to use all the bells and whistles we paid for in the latest receiver we bought -- assuming we bought one. But on the other, if we don't decode in the player we lose any sounds from the interactive features or maybe even a secondary audio track that may play along side the main audio. Luckily, some players give you a choice, but the most popular Blu-ray player doesn't, as the PS3 doesn't support bitstreaming TrueHD or DTS-HD (it will bitstream Dolby Digital and DTS though). So assuming you even have a choice, which is better, decoding in the player or in your AV/R.

View Poll

Filed under: Polls, Blu-ray, Receivers

Poll: Which is better LPCM or Bitstream? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp's AQUOS BD-HDW20 Blu-ray recorder with 1TB disk: zero-to-numb in just 0.8 seconds

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:31:00 EST

TV junkies rejoice, Sharp just announced their new 1TB, Blu-ray recording slickster. The ¥300,000 (about $2,611) AQUOS BD-HDW20 ships December 1st packing a 127-hour slab of silicon heroin to sooth your full HD television jones. Sharp's high-ender brings gold-plated HDMI output supporting 1080/24p video and DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD HRA, and high-def bitstream audio. We're also looking at IrSS infrared, 2x Firewire, recordings to 50GB dual-layer BD-RE/-R discs, and a lickity quick TV recording fix in just under a second. A 500GB model BD-HDW15 is also available for a bit less but really, why would you?

[Via Impress]

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, DVRs, Players, Recorders, Tuners, Sharp

Sharp's AQUOS BD-HDW20 Blu-ray recorder with 1TB disk: zero-to-numb in just 0.8 seconds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sharp's AQUOS BD-HDW20 Blu-ray recorder with 1TB disk: zero-to-numb in just 0.8 seconds

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:31:00 EST

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sharp's AQUOS BD-HDW20 Blu-ray recorder with 1TB disk: zero-to-numb in just 0.8 seconds originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony launches four high-end Blu-ray recorders

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:19:00 EST

It may be raining on AT&T's parade today but the sun is out and blasting Japan with plenty of Blu-ray. Four new Sony Bravia recorders in fact, capable of burning 50GB dual-layer, BD-R/RE discs with an additional disk packing between 250GB and 500GB of storage depending upon model selected. The ¥200,000 (about $1,755) top-end BDZ-X90 model brings 2x digital and 2x analog tuners, gold-plated HDMI 1080p capable of 60fps or 24fps output in DeepColor, and a DLNA-based "Sony Room Link" server function for streaming your media around the house. All use MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 encoding with support for lossless TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and hi-definition bitstream output. Hell, they even include support for attached AVCHD camcorders. Damn. On sale in Japan November 8th.

[Via Impress]

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, DVRs, Recorders, Sony

Sony launches four high-end Blu-ray recorders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony launches four high-end Blu-ray recorders

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:19:00 EST

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sony launches four high-end Blu-ray recorders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer's BDP-LX80 Blu-ray player supports HD audio bitstream output

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 05:53:00 EST

Pioneer just announced that Blu-ray Disc player with "HD audio bitstream output" they alluded to with the launch of their BDP-LX70. In what appears to be an industry first for BD players, the new BDP-LX80 supports bitstream output of both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD high resolution audio output over HDMI 1.3. Sorry, no DTS-HD Master Audio this time. Still, a worthy update from the LX70 assuming your home theater gear is properly matched to decode that signal. Something you'll want to check, and double-check, before dropping the tax inclusive roll of ¥210,000 or about $1,768. We could be wrong, but the move from the LX70 to LX80 appears to be a firmware change only so why all the fuss with a new model Pioneer? If true, then don't be surprised to find a hacked version of the firmware for the LX70 on the Internets soon enough. No word on a global launch -- Japan-only for now with a local release scheduled for October.

[Via Impress]

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Players, Pioneer

Pioneer's BDP-LX80 Blu-ray player supports HD audio bitstream output originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 05:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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