Yesterday’s 3.50 system software update for the PlayStation 3 might have brought about the advent of 3D Blu-ray movies on a home console, but it appears than decoding the stereoscopic film and HD audio at the same time is simply too much for the machine.
According to the official Japanese PlayStation site (but unverified by us due to a lack of a 3D TV to test the report on) there are a few limitations with regards to DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD audio – they don’t work, with regular DTS and regular Dolby Digital being substituted by the PS3 respectively before being sent to your amp or TV. To clarify: this only occurs when watching 3D content on a 3D TV.
Hardly critical unless you’ve got a system capable of showing off the two HD audio formats, but it’s clearly a technical hurdle the console can’t overcome, at least not yet.
There’s a couple of other issues too: the 3D display of some elements such as menus and subtitles might be different on the PS3 than on other devices, and some BD-J features such as Bonusview and BD-Live might not play properly in 3D, although it’s not clear whether or not this is an issue with all such devices.
rept0n
Interesting.
Don’t actually have a 3D Blu-Ray that has a DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD (Monsters Vs Aliens has a standard audio track).
I wonder if this has anything to do with the PS3 having the older version of HDMI interface (rather than 1.4a)… I had heard this might be a limitation on it outputting 3D 1080p.
I should be getting a couple more 3D Blu-Rays soon so can confirm for Europe.
Just to mention… Monsters Vs Aliens looks great ‘in-film’ although some of the menus do appear quite flat (compared say to 3D game menus).
pvwradtke
HD audio is missing only when playing 3D movie content. For “regular 2D” movie content, HD audio is there.
pvwradtke
Whoops, wrong thread to answer, sorry.
cc_star
What?
Can I go back… I like the fact my sound system was being utilised like it should be, or is it the fact they can’t be utilised when running 3D content but is ok with normal content?
With the audio and the fact that Java on 3D Blu-ray Discs has to be scaled all the way back to remain compatible, of course there’s no problems with dedicated 3D Blu-ray players, does it appears that 3D may be a step to far for the PS3 without compromises being made elsewhere.
Java is used for interactive features (which I rarely if ever use) but is instrumental in DRM and copy protection, which although I couldn’t care less I’m pretty sure movie studios do care about… could we see the advent of Blur-ray movies that aren’t compatible with the PS3 thanks to a studios over stated importance of copy protection (which has long since been cracked anyway)
pvwradtke
HD audio is missing only when playing 3D movie content. For “regular 2D” movie content, HD audio is there.
Jas-n
It’s in HD in 2D mode, and 3D mode on Stand-along 3DBDP’s, just the PS3 has limitations.
Charmed_Fanatic
Guess i can stop saving for a 3D TV then :^)
Stef Nighthawk
Unless you are also saving for a dedicated 3D Blu-ray player with HD Audio.
Bilbo_bobbins
really? thats a bit rubbish I was thinking of getting a 3dtv but not sure now if it’s worth it without the proper sound.
Deathbrin
Just get a dedicated player and get over it.
Stef Nighthawk
pfffft, my receiver only handles DTS and Dolby Digital. So I’m not missing out on a lot when I’m getting my 3DTV.
Jas-n
This is the case with the PS3 and it’s Audio output (when showing in 3D) but in 2D it’s HD audio.
This is only the case on the PS3, my 3DBDP still outputs in DTS-HD Audio when in 3D.
Also if you’re that into you’re A/V, you’d probably go for a stand-alone Blu-ray player, due to the fact that the PS3 makes quite a bit of noise when playing discs.
Asdafers
For me the sound is the key to enjoying a film. I don’t know if it’s a real sensation or just a feeling but when I play something on a setting that is lower than my Amp is capable of it just feels wrong. I do no really care about this generation of 3DTV anyway – get the version with no glasses out and I’ll be first in line – so it’s 2D with HD sound for me :)
Apnomis
I have a surround system that processes HD audio and I consider it one of the main selling points of the PS3 – I don’t have a 3D TV yet but I would assume most early adopters are the type to have good surround sound too, so this will come as a bit of a blow!
On a technical note I’d not be able to use it anyway – most dedicated 3D Blu-ray players have two HDMI ports, a 1.4 port for the 3D picture, and a 1.3a port for the HD audio. This is because HD audio requires an HDMI connection, which means your HDMI must pass-through your Receiver to your TV. Now unless you have the very latest models, none of these have HDMI 1.4 pass-through so you will be unable to get a 3D picture unless you connect directly to the TV. By connecting directly to the TV you’d be forced to use an Optical Cable for your sound which rules out HD audio anyway (unless you upgrade your entire system)! HDMI Splitters may be a possibility but it depends on the security protocols and I get the impression they are not cheap either…
Bladesteel
HDMI splitters (output to more than one tv/receiver at the same time) that work with protected content cost an arm and a leg. Though that may changed if you’re willing to import now that the master key has been leaked.
I think the reaason for this limitation is the limited bandwidth over hdmi (1.3), there simply isn’t room for both the 3d picture and the uncompresed HD sound.
Tuffcub
I’d rather have HD audio thanks.
SmokeyPSD
Just another reason for me not to give a f about 3d.
Deathbrin
Funny thing is, those having older (non-Slim) PS3s should not even be bothered as their consoles do not support Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD anyway (no HDMI 1.3), so i imagine there’s at least some extra panic effect to this.
Dlaf42
The none slim PS3 does do TrueHD and DTS HD, it just decodes it in the player rather than the amp/reciever.
Deathbrin
Ah, got fooled by Slim ads then. Thanks!
Stef Nighthawk
Funny thing is, my non-slim PS3 does have a HDMI 1.3a interface. just check wikipedia :
All models include: Blu-ray/DVD/CD drive, HDMI 1.3a, Bluetooth 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) and PlayStation One backward compatibility through software emulation.
and also the small bit about supported audio formats :
*All models can decode Dolby TrueHD and as of firmware 2.30 DTS-HD Master Audio, to be output as LPCM. Output of the raw undecoded stream is limited to slim models