So, in this article, we will be talking about which Audio format is best PCM or Spdif? To start with, there are basically two different types of encodings and also two different types of digital connections namely, Optical (“Toslink”) and Coaxial-Digital. So, PCM is what a CD player outputs, Dolby Digital is what a DVD player outputs with a DVD movie. But, you can do well to remember that both the types of digital connections mentioned above can easily transmit the PCM and DD signals.
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Which audio format is best PCM or Spdif?
SPDIF (Sony Phillips Digital Interface) is the specification around which the digital connections are built. You can use a video cable to connect the coaxial output of your cable box to the coaxial input of your receiver. It should work, but I suspect the cable box will only output PCM.
But here’s a problem: with many CATV boxes, you’ll only get digital audio from the upper channels (for example, the channels above 100). This means that you should also connect L/R audio cables.
In general, PCM will sound better because the Dolby Digital version is made from it. However, it depends on your cables and if you are using surround sound. PCM – if you use optical cables, playback is limited to stereo (2 channels). PCM also provides 5.1 surround sound.
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Is Spdif a PCM?
Spdif is typically used to transmit PCM and Dolby Digital 5.1, but is not tied to a sample rate or audio standard. S/PDIF uses unbalanced 75 ohm coaxial cables up to 10 meters long with RCA connectors or fiber optic cables with a “Toslink” connector.
What is RAW or PCM?
A raw audio file is a file that contains uncompressed audio data. The data is stored as raw pulse code modulation values (PCM) without any header information (like sample rate, bit depth, endian or number of channels).
What is RAW Spdif?
In Spdif/RAW mode, the DVD player sends an unaltered (e.g. “raw”) bitstream to your receiver. In other words, if you select a Dolby Digital track, a Dolby Digital bitstream will be sent to your receiver; a DTS track will be sent to your receiver as a DTS bitstream, PCM will be sent as PCM, etc.
Is Spdif the same as optical digital cable?
They are both digital connections. Optical usually refers to the ADAT protocol over a fiber optic cable (Toslink), while Spdif is usually transmitted over a coaxial cable (RCA). “Normally” optical connections can transmit 8 channels at 44.1/48KHz (or 4 at 88.2/96KHz in certain situations), while Spdi is stereo (two channels).
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Is Spdif the same as digital coaxial cable?
Spdif is only one use for this type of cable. Coaxial simply refers to the geometry of the cable. Roughly speaking, it means “common axis.” Whether it’s stiff or not depends only on the application it’s made for – a factor of the jacket.
RAW Audio Output vs Digital Audio Output –>
RAW stands for “bitstream”. It will output DD, DTS or PCM stereo. PCM is only for PCM stereo. So, you shall set it to RAW. On the other hand, a digital audio output refers to the audio output of a TV, Blu-ray player, game console – or any other AV device that produces sound. This output sends stereo or 5.1 surround sound audio to an amplifier, home theater system, or soundbar.
PCM vs BitStream Audio
The difference between PCM and Bitstream is the device that decodes the compressed format to recover the uncompressed data from PCM. If you use bitstream, the AV receiver does the decoding. PCM is not better than bitstream format in terms of quality.
PCM Audio Format
When you see PCM audio on a DVD, it is a two-channel digital stereo track. Dolby Digital® is there for multichannel applications, including surround sound for home theaters, movie sound, and similar purposes.
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and Dolby Digital® technology refer to different types of digital audio. PCM is the traditional method of converting analog audio to digital audio. The audio recorded on DVD PCM is a two-channel digital stereo audio track.
PCM is suitable for both digital and analog audio input; that is why it has been so popular for a long time. Most often this type of connection is there in CD players, as most AVRs are suitable for PCM.
We should use this setting when the external device you have connected to the HDMI port has already processed the audio and you just want to output it from your TV speakers. Note: This will change the signal to 2.0 PCM as it passes through the TV.
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Digital PCM and Pass Through –>
PCM is suitable for 2.1 stereo content. Sometimes you want the signal from one source component to pass through an intervening component without modification. So, when a home theater or handheld electronics product is pass-through capable, it means that the audio or video signal can be output exactly as it was input.
Passthrough thus means that the TV does not upmixor downmix the signal, but lets the sound system figure it out for itself. This should make a difference if you are expecting 5.1/7.1/Atmos content to be output.
Passthrough is not a necessity, and it is only important if you have a surround sound system or a dedicated soundbar. You can get the same audio-video experience without passthrough, but you’ll have more cables running to and from your TV.
Is it better to pass HDMI through the receiver?
One reason to route audio and video signals through a home theater receiver is to reduce cable clutter. HDMI carries audio and video signals. With a single cable, you can run the HDMI cable from your source component through your receiver to carry both audio and video signals over a single HDMI cable.
The best sound setting for TV:
- Automatic Sound: Home → Settings → Sound → Set to personal
- TV Speaker: Home → Settings → Sound → Set to On
- Mono/Stereo: Home → Settings → Sound → Set to Stereo
WRAPPING UP!! –>
So, now that you have come to this, I am pretty sure that you have gone through all the matter related to which audio format is best PCM or Spdif? Thus, now I can rest assured that your crisis is over and you will now be able to choose the best audio format among PCM and Spdif, as you have now got a complete grasp of the subject matter. So, use the knowledge provided here and make your life easy and peasy. On that note, until the next time, see ya!! Goodbye!! –>