Reason I ask is that I'm looking at the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player and I noticed it will bitstream everything except DTS-HD:MA. My reciever will decode everything internally so I want to feed it as much uncompressed source material as possible.

My understanding is that the PS3 will take DTS-HD:MA and compress it or downconvert it to normal DTS 5.1 and then send it over to the reciever.

Is the DTS-HD:MA really that much better than normal DTS? Is it worth shelling out for a non-videogaming player for?

Can't say for sure as I've never experienced the new high def sound formats yet. From what I've heard on other forums is that it is pretty cool and one guy said he will never go back to standard Dolby or DTS again.

I'm looking at the Panny 30 Bluray player as it does not have an internal decoder, but will pass through all the versions via HDMI to a receiver that will decode those new formats.

My Denon 3-4 years old though, and i would have to get a different receiver.

Omar,

In a word, YES, there is a notable difference to the better. However, there are not that many BR movies out with DTS:HD-Master, or even DTS:HD-High res sound tracks. I suspect we will start seeing more though. So far, the few BR disks I have with DTS:HD tracks have been quite enjoyable and not to pop bubbles for the PS3 users, but the uncompressed DTS tracks are superior than the core tracks you hear when using the PS3.

ah, damnit.
The PS3 does bitstreme TrueHD though rite?

I really only want one PS3 game (Metal Gear Solid 4), so i can probably live with a stand-alone BD player.

No, it doesn't bitstream TrueHD, unless I really wasn't paying attention to one of the system updates.

There is a 3808 with your name on it somewhere.

Yeah also a few more subs, and a 1400. Money is tight right now, and the wife ain't happy. ha ha

No, but it does decode it and output it as Multi Channel PCM. From what I understand, DTS:HD takes a significant amount of processing power over DD-THD, which is why it can not decode it at this time. It may in the future, but that is also suspect due to it using an older chipset that may, or may not be able to EVER decode it.

Not that I think you should trade her in for a richer wife, but would it hurt her to win the lottery for you?

school teachers aren't rich.