PS3 can read SACD

[Cherian]

The Sony PS3 now has SACD playback. I did an update on my PS3 (V1.8) and now I find it can read SACD disks and output it via HDMI. The PS3 with the new update can also access media content on my network via WiFi. COOL!!!

 

[JonFo]

Wow, not only did they add 1080p/24 output, they also added SACD in v1.8.

Does it send the audio as PCM over HDMI? (I assume so).

 

[Cherian]

Using HDMI, you have the option of listening to either two-channel or multichannel off your SACD. Out of that option, you can choose to let the PS3 perform the DSD-to-LPCM conversion or let it pass through the DSD bistream to a DSD-decoding receiver/pre-amp.

The PS3 is starting to live up to the hype. I am using it more and more for media as well as gaming.

 

[amey01]

How many DSD converters are there out there?

 

[Charliemike]

Using HDMI, you have the option of listening to either two-channel or multichannel off your SACD. Out of that option, you can choose to let the PS3 perform the DSD-to-LPCM conversion or let it pass through the DSD bistream to a DSD-decoding receiver/pre-amp.

The PS3 is starting to live up to the hype. I am using it more and more for media as well as gaming.

WOOF ... That's pretty awesome. Somehow I don't think I'll ever see that from my XB360.

 

[Cherian]

Looks like the PS3 1.8 system update added more than I thought. See the attached link.

http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/network/updates/PS3_180_update.html

 

[ralflar]

Cherian,

These exciting new features turn the PS3 into an interesting device for non-gamers. So I bought one last Saturday. Thanks for sharing this piece of information with the forum!

BTW, firmware V1.81 is out now. As far as I can see there a no major improvements over 1.80, just two small fixes.
- The method of setting [RGB Full Range (HDMI)] under [Display Settings] has been improved.
- The stability of the network connection used during gameplay has been improved for some PlayStation®2 format software titles that support online gaming.

 

[kcl]

Ok, does this mean that I can pull a 2-channel digital stream off of the HDMI (there are switches that will do this) and run it to a DAC? If so, this is the first piece of hardware that isn't thousands of dollars that is able to do that. And doesn't that violate the SACD license?

 

[HopelessDFilms]

PS3 and SACD

SACD as a format introduced new copy protection that doesn't allow for the audio data to be transferred digitally unless it has HDCP... meaning, the SACD layer on a hybrid disc can be sent through hdmi as long as its being sent to another hdmi source, also assuming with HDCP. This also means that the sacd layer of audio cannot be reproduced back through a toslink optical cable. A bit dissapointing, at least for me who does not have a receiver with HDMI yet.

I can only hope that SACD has a larger rebirth and sees new and older artists turning to this format.

 

[Burke]

Ok, does this mean that I can pull a 2-channel digital stream off of the HDMI (there are switches that will do this) and run it to a DAC?

Do you have any info or a link to those switches?

 

[kcl]

Do you have any info or a link to those switches?

There's this splitter here (note not a switcher) from Gefen. It takes an A/V HDMI in and produces two video HDMI and a digital optical output. There's probably others too, but this is the one I remembered seeing.