Specifications

CD, DVD, BLU-RAY & PlayStation 3 Secrets
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For example, the Hong Kong PS3 originally only played back NTSC Region 3 DVD, and with an update supported both NTSC and
PAL Region 3 DVD playback. Likewise, the European PAL PS3 gained the ability to play NTSC Region 2 DVDs (essentially
Japanese DVDs).
This indicates that the trend is for all PAL PS3 to be able to playback both DVD formats (NTSC and PAL discs in same region as
PS3 or Region 0), whereas the NTSC PS3 (with the exception of the Hong Kong PS3) can only play the NTSC DVD format (all
assuming same region, or disc with Region 0). The situation is not 100% accurate, so provide feedback if you note otherwise.
As for model releases and dates, note that although the PS3 was not officially released in China, the majority of them are
actually made there, so you can find all sorts of models in that country. The region codes for China designate what they should
be if an official PS3 was released.
PS3 Audio
The PS3 supports many different audio formats, either disc based, network streaming, or via fixed and removable flash storage
like the internal harddrive and external memory cards. In addition, because most of the advanced audio support is done via
software on the Cell, the feature list is constantly changing.
The following information is based on the latest firmware at the time of this writing. Feel free to come back for updates to the
compatibility charts that follows. Also, because of limited analog output options for surround sound (the AV Multi analog cable
only has stereo left and right channels), you need to purchase an Audio (and/or Video) Receiver that support "HDMI in" to
enjoy 5.1 or 7.1 surround channels.
TOSLINK (optical digital) AV Receivers are not recommended because it has a lower bandwidth and it is also an unprotected
link, restricting output of high bandwidth and protected audio. Basic HDMI 1.1 that has 7.1 analog outputs for speakers (and a
passthrough HDMI for the video to your HDTV) is recommended.
Because of the various ways to connect your speakers to the PS3, how you choose the connection determines the quality of the
audio output. Analog storage of music became obsolete with the introduction of the Compact Disc (CD). Now all retail music is
stored digitally. Because of this, there are three stages to get audio (in digital form) to your speakers (in analog form).
Stage Process Resultant Format PS3 Connection Connection Type
1 Obtain digital audio (encoded and compressed) from storage device Bitstream HDMI, TOSLINK Digital
2 Decode and uncompress digital audio Linear PCM HDMI, TOSLINK Digital
3 Convert digital audio (decoded and uncompressed) to Analog audio Analog AV Multi Cable Analog
Digital versus Analog
The PS3 can do all of the stages above, but depending on the connection, it may skip some of the later stages if you have the
right equipment that can handle it. The three main audio output options on the PS3 are the HDMI, TOSLINK (optical digital),
and AV Multi cable.
HDMI and TOSLINK are digital connections, whereas the AV Multi cable is analog. Both HDMI and TOSLINK can support more
than two channels of audio (up to 7.1 for HDMI and 5.1 for TOSLINK), while the AV Multi cable can only support two analog
channels (left and right) for connecting directly to the two RCA jacks that lead to your speakers.
Bitstream versus Linear PCM
The PS3 provides options for either "Bitstream" or "Linear PCM" when outputing the audio signal. This option is located in the
"Settings->BD/DVD Settings->BD/DVD Audio Output Format(HDMI)" and "Settings->BD/DVD Settings->BD Audio Output
Format (Optical)" settings of your XMB.
Linear PCM is audio data that is not encoded (nor compressed) and is in it's pure digital form, ready for conversion into analog
for the speakers. A regular CD stores all its songs in Linear PCM form. Most audio starting with the DVD store digital data
encoded and compressed (like Dolby Digital or Digital Surround).
If "Bitstream" option is selected, the PS3 will take this encoded and compressed audio and send it untouched to the HDMI or
TOSLINK cable for your external decoder to decode. In other words, the receiver at the other end of the HDMI or TOSLINK
must have special chips that can decode and uncompress formats like Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround, and then convert
the resultant Linear PCM to analog (via a DAC) for the speakers connected to the external decoder.
If "Linear PCM" option is selected, the PS3 will actually decode the audio into Linear PCM first, before sending it to the HDMI or
TOSLINK. In this case the receiver on the other end of the HDMI or TOSLINK only needs to convert the Linear PCM to analog
for the speakers connected to it.
Because of the current bandwidth limitations of TOSLINK, choosing Linear PCM (the decoded and uncompressed signal) on this
connection limits you to only two channels of audio. For multichannel (like 5.1) over TOSLINK, you must use "bitstream", which
uses smaller bandwidth of compressed and encoded data.