|
||||||||
PCM vs Dolby 5.1 |
![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
#1 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 555
|
PCM vs Dolby 5.1
A bit of a noob question, but what is the difference between PCM and Dolby 5.1? And any other audio formats for that matter! I have a surround sound setup at home, so when given the choice on dvd's/blu-rays, which is the best to have on?
Cheers, Dave |
|
|
|
|
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
|
|
|
#2 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Reading
Posts: 27,928
|
By and large PCM tends to mean plain vanilla stereo. Dolby 5.1 means true surround sound.
So if you have a surround sound system and want the full surround experience select Dolby 5.1. You may also have come across DTS which is a competing format to Dolby for true surround sound. Dolby ProLogic is a lower grade surround sound format if you like. ProLogic can be used to encode surround information down to two "tracks" which makes it possible to transmit it over a stereo system, such as TV. ProLogic can also be used to generate a surround effect from a stereo source. So you can use it to enhance normal TV sound, though the effect can vary somewhat depending on the type of sound track you are feeding into the decoder. |
|
|
|
|
|
#3 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 8,249
|
He mentions Blu-Ray, which come with a PCM surround track, which is by far the better sound option, in the same league as DTS, maybe even better.
|
|
|
|
|
#4 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Manchester
Posts: 555
|
Quote:
He mentions Blu-Ray, which come with a PCM surround track, which is by far the better sound option, in the same league as DTS, maybe even better.
Dave |
|
|
|
|
|
#5 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pomgolia
Posts: 1,162
|
Hmmm ive always known PCM to be 2 channel & only good for prologic surround, unless this has changed with Blu ray.
If not either 5.1 DD or DTS would better than PCM if you have the equipment to output 5.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
#6 |
|
Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Ilkeston
Posts: 18,075
|
PCM comes in many favours and if I understand it in terms of Blu-ray soundtracks it's similar to the spec used on multichannel SACD/DVD-A audio disks.
As always you choose the soundtrack which sounds the best on your particular amp/speaker setup
|
|
|
|
![]() |
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 17:10.


