MPEG (PCM) vs. Dolby AC-3

ckone180 · 07-06-2009, 10:01 AM

My question is whether to use the settings for MPEG (PCM) or Dolby AC-3. I have TimeWarner with a Samsung HD-DVR, model SMT-H3090. Which is the better audio? Sometimes I get higher volume from AC-3 over MPEG, but the stations fluctuate greatly in volume levels. I try to leave my home theater at volume 15 for the most part. Some stations are hard to hear, where others will nail you to the couch, all at level 15. Thanks for your help.

ckone180 · 07-06-2009, 05:19 PM

Someone has to know.?

deadhead68 · 07-06-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckone180

Someone has to know.?

I have a feeling nobody has replied because your question's hard to answer. There is no answer to which is the better audio. You would have to define better. Try them both and see which one you prefer.

DeadHead68

ckone180 · 07-07-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead68

I have a feeling nobody has replied because your question's hard to answer. There is no answer to which is the better audio. You would have to define better. Try them both and see which one you prefer.

DeadHead68

Thank you for your response. I thought that there may be a technical difference making one more preferred over the other. Once again, thank you.

Filekhasper · 07-08-2009, 08:42 PM

My opinion... PCM is better it is not compressed like MPEG is...

joekewl1971 · 07-16-2009, 05:23 PM

PCM uses less compression. But you asked about cable. Cable only uses Dolby Digital. To convert it to PCM is not going to improve the audio quality. If you have a digital connection to your surround sound stereo, then you would want to use Dolby Digital, for the 5.1 surround sound that you can not get from PCM. If you have an HDMI hookup to your TV, then it might only accept PCM. That would be the best reason to use PCM.

ckone180 · 07-17-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekewl1971

PCM uses less compression. But you asked about cable. Cable only uses Dolby Digital. To convert it to PCM is not going to improve the audio quality. If you have a digital connection to your surround sound stereo, then you would want to use Dolby Digital, for the 5.1 surround sound that you can not get from PCM. If you have an HDMI hookup to your TV, then it might only accept PCM. That would be the best reason to use PCM.

Thank you for your time. I do use a digital connection to the receiver via optical. I noticed when I have the output set to DD AC-3, the sound level fluctuates drastically between channels. I am not talking small numbers here. For example, when we watch DiscoveryHD and have the unit set at 15, then we change to TNTHD we can not hear the sound. So we turn it up to 22. When we decide to do back to DiscoveryHD or HBOHD we almost go deaf. It is like being in a warzone with explosions and rocket fire going off beside us. Weird.

joekewl1971 · 07-17-2009, 04:14 PM

The stereo should have the option to compress the audio. This equalizes the levels so they are not so wildly different. Look for "dynamic range". Most helpful with those annoying commercials. There is an option in the box to do this. Keep in mind, this only works with the analog output on the box. The digital output will not change from the box. You must change the setting on the stereo.

07-06-2009, 10:01 AM	#1
ckone180 SOCOM is so game! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 29 Posts: 448	MPEG (PCM) vs. Dolby AC-3 My question is whether to use the settings for MPEG (PCM) or Dolby AC-3. I have TimeWarner with a Samsung HD-DVR, model SMT-H3090. Which is the better audio? Sometimes I get higher volume from AC-3 over MPEG, but the stations fluctuate greatly in volume levels. I try to leave my home theater at volume 15 for the most part. Some stations are hard to hear, where others will nail you to the couch, all at level 15. Thanks for your help. __________________ "Fighting Ignorance since 1973 (It’s taking longer than we thought)." The Straight Dope. My humble equipment list (I am still working on it!): Samsung LN52A630 Samsung BD-3252 Playstation 3 80gb Online ID: cspldk Battlefield Bad Company SOCOM Confrontation UFC Undisputed Wii

07-06-2009, 05:19 PM	#2
ckone180 SOCOM is so game! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 29 Posts: 448	Someone has to know.? __________________ "Fighting Ignorance since 1973 (It’s taking longer than we thought)." The Straight Dope. My humble equipment list (I am still working on it!): Samsung LN52A630 Samsung BD-3252 Playstation 3 80gb Online ID: cspldk Battlefield Bad Company SOCOM Confrontation UFC Undisputed Wii

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07-08-2009, 08:42 PM	#5
Filekhasper High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 41	My opinion... PCM is better it is not compressed like MPEG is...

07-16-2009, 05:23 PM	#6
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 607	PCM uses less compression. But you asked about cable. Cable only uses Dolby Digital. To convert it to PCM is not going to improve the audio quality. If you have a digital connection to your surround sound stereo, then you would want to use Dolby Digital, for the 5.1 surround sound that you can not get from PCM. If you have an HDMI hookup to your TV, then it might only accept PCM. That would be the best reason to use PCM.

07-17-2009, 04:14 PM	#8
joekewl1971 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 607	The stereo should have the option to compress the audio. This equalizes the levels so they are not so wildly different. Look for "dynamic range". Most helpful with those annoying commercials. There is an option in the box to do this. Keep in mind, this only works with the analog output on the box. The digital output will not change from the box. You must change the setting on the stereo.