JT,

While sony does use software, that would only help with internal decoding. The sil 9132 may or may not be capable of bitstreaming DTS HD MA, however, silicon valley and insiders at AVS Forum confirmed it will not. The sil 9132 is an early version of the sil 9134. The 9134 chip DOES support DTS HD MA bitstream, so either Sony is likely to start using the 9134 chip after it uses up the 9132 chips, which wouldn’t help current PS3 owners, or, they could do a firmware update for the software to allow internal decoding. The preferable action would be to do both.

dannyboy I think you are wrong. While most players use actual hardware decoding chips the PS3 does this via software since it has the processing power to spare. There is absolutely no reason they could not bitstream DTS-HD MA via a firmware update. When the PS3 was initially going into production they did not have the decoding working for TrueHD and this was added via a firmware update at the final stage of production. That is the one great thing about the PS3, since it has so much processing power they can do about anything via software changes.

Dannyboy, I am just curious if you have any detailed information regarding the PS3’s inability to support DTS HD MA via firmware.

My understanding is the hardware issue is for bitstreaming DTS HD MA and has nothing to do with internally decoding.

It ‘should’ be capable to internally decode via a FW update and output as MC LPCM, in the same manner that it currently handles TrueHD.

I love my PS3 but it does not, and will never, be capable of decoding DTS-HD/ Master Audio. That weould require a HARDWARE update not a FIRMWARE update. If they incorporate it, you will have to buy a new unit to get it. And I would gladly do so. I have a # of Blu-Ray DTS HD MA titles I am waiting to watch until I have that cpapbility.

All of the information I provided can be confirmed at AVS Forum with many members having the same opinion regarding upconverting, noise issues, and load up. I love my PS3 and I would absolutely recommend it as a blu-ray player, however, I was responding to the advantages my XA2 has over my PS3. I am NOT a fan boy. I will provide direct links if needed if you are unable to navigate through the forum. I never said they were facts, however, everything I said was voiced by consumers at AVS Forum. Most forum talk isn’t fact, and rather, opinion. All of my comments are MY OPINION, however, don’t accuse me of spreading nonsense if you didn’t take the time to research the issues I stated, or else you would see others share the same concerns. Don’t automatically assume that your opinion is the correct one.