You’re in the mood to play your old DVDs but can’t determine whether to choose Bitstream or PCM. Bitstream vs PCM is hard competition. It’s really a confusing situation, probably because many users don’t know the difference between them. And among those who know, Bitstream vs PCM has remained one of the most debatable topics.
For all these reasons, we’ve come up with this post, Bitstream vs PCM: which one is better, to help you choose the suitable one. Starting from what Bitstream and PCM are all about to their differences, pros, and cons, we’ll discuss every detail.
What are Bitstream and PCM?
Bitstream and PCM are basically two audio output modes of sound. You’ll be given these two options while connecting your home theatre to disc players or other devices via HDMI. The usual devices that require any of these sound modes are Blu-ray Disc players.
The way Bitstream and PCM perform in delivering sound is the main difference between them. But, though Bitstream and PCM differ, the HDMI audio output doesn’t actually matter in sound quality. In other words, the audio outputs of one aren’t much higher than the other. Read carefully to know Bitstream vs PCM:
What is Bitstream? Bitstream vs PCM
Incepted in 1961, Bitstream means streaming of single bits. When you use bitstream as the HDMI audio output mode, your music player sends undecoded signals to the home theater. And it is always the home theatre that decodes the signal to deliver sound.
So, based on the undecoded Bitstream signal from the music player, the sound format may vary. Your home theatre can play the sound in Dolby TrueHD, Dolby, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, DTS, or other formats. You can also combine secondary audio settings with Bitstream to improve sound quality.
Pros of Bitstream
- The home theatre or receiver decodes the audio.
- Overall chances of higher audio quality.
- You can hear better audio quality if the home theatre offers it.
- Delivers encoded 5.1 signals instead of coaxial or digital optical.
Cons of Bitstream
- Doesn’t include secondary sound elements.
- A high-quality home theatre or receiver is required.
- The sound quality totally relies on the receiver.
What is PCM? (Bitstream vs PCM)
On the other hand, PCM was introduced in 1937 to decode analog sound. What PCM does is that it converts analog audio into electrical pulses and delivers digital audio. As a result, the sound delivered by PCM gets improved with less distortion.
So, in this case, your home theatre doesn’t decode the sound as it already comes decoded by PCM. The soundtracks get internally decoded by your music player system into Dolby TrueHD, Dolby, DTS-HD, and DTS formats. And the uncompressed form of the sound gets delivered to the home theatre system via HDMI.
Pros of PCM
- You can hear the additional audio elements clearly.
- The receiver doesn’t have to decode sound at all.
- Chances of less lag as the process is direct and quick.
- The music player decodes the sound better.
Cons of PCM
- Delivers two-channel signals rather than coaxial or digital optical.
- The player has to take the whole pressure of decoding.
- The receiver isn’t allowed to determine the quality of the sound.
The Main Difference: Bitstream vs PCM
So, from the above discussion, it’s clear that Bitstream doesn’t differ from PCM in sound quality. The main difference depends on the device decoding the compressed sound format. You can choose either of them depending on which sound and audio-visual device you’re using.
It means that if you have a better quality music player than the home theatre, you need to choose PCM. But, if you’re using a higher-quality home theatre or receiver, you need to select Bitstream. Both PCM and Bitstream have a uniqueness that depends on the devices you use.
Watch this video to know Bitstream vs PCM: Which is Better:
Also, to prefer one over the other, you need to rely on the sound that you’re playing. For instance, some music contains additional audio elements, such as the PIP. The secondary audio won’t accompany the main soundtrack if you choose Bitstream to play such audio.
And depending on the setting you choose from Bitstream and PCM, your receiver will give you options for output formats. As mentioned above, some common formats are Dolby TrueHD, Dolby, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, DTS, etc. And if your home theatre has HDMI, you’ll get the best options if you choose Bitstream.
You also need to choose the type of connection apart from Bitstream or PCM sound formats. If your home theatre or AV receiver isn’t equipped with an HDMI port, you must choose optical digital or coaxial connection. In this case, choosing Bitstream over PCM will be a better idea.
That’s because optical digital or coaxial cables usually don’t have higher bandwidth to deliver decoded superior quality sound. Also, PCM sends two-channel signals that can lower the sound quality. The formula is the same with both Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc music players.
The Final Verdict
So, ultimately, it’s time to reveal who’s the winner of this Bitstream vs PCM debate, according to us. Here is the final verdict that sums up the whole discussion:
- PCM and Bitstream both deliver good sound quality.
- In sound quality, there’s no advanced technology that PCM uses over Bitstream and vice versa.
- Most Blu-ray discs and DVD players can play both PCM and Bitstream.
- The speakers need to transform both signals to analog format.
Bitstream vs PCM: Which is Better?
Regarding audio transmission in surround sound systems, two common methods are Bitstream and PCM (Pulse Code Modulation). Each has advantages, and understanding them can help you achieve high-quality audio in your home theater system.
Bitstream: Unleashing Surround Sound Potential
Bitstream is the digital transmission of audio data encoded from a media player or source to the audio system. It allows for the transfer of various audio codecs, such as DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital, which deliver immersive surround sound experiences.
Bitstream is ideal when your audio system has the necessary processing power and is compatible with specific surround sound formats.
PCM: The Power of Uncompressed Audio
On the other hand, PCM converts the analog audio signal into a digital format, resulting in uncompressed audio files. It offers high-quality audio output, especially for hi-res secondary audio and supplementary audio tracks.
PCM is widely supported by media players and audio systems, making it a versatile option for those seeking uncompromised audio quality.
Audio Quality: Bitstream vs PCM
When it comes to audio quality, both Bitstream and PCM have their strengths. Bitstream allows the audio system to decode the audio data, utilizing the receiver’s or soundbar’s processing power to deliver high-quality audio output.
On the other hand, PCM provides direct, uncompressed audio signals, maintaining the original audio quality from the source. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preferences, the capabilities of your audio system, and the specific audio formats you wish to enjoy.
Audio Output: Transmission and Conversion
Bitstream transmission involves sending the encoded audio files to the audio system for decoding and producing the sound.
On the other hand, PCM converts the audio files into uncompressed audio data before transmitting it to the audio system.
This difference in transmission methods affects how the audio signals are processed and delivered, leading to variations in audio quality and system compatibility.
Compatibility and Flexibility
Both Bitstream and PCM have their own compatibility advantages. Bitstream is well-suited for media players and devices that support digital sound transfer, while PCM is widely supported across various media players and audio systems.
Additionally, PCM allows for more flexibility regarding wireless connections and analog output audio signals.
Choosing the Right Format
There is no definitive “better” option in the debate of Bitstream vs PCM. The choice depends on your specific audio setup, desired audio quality, and supported audio formats.
If your audio system is equipped to handle the processing power required for Bitstream transmission and you want to enjoy specific surround sound formats, Bitstream is an excellent choice.
On the other hand, PCM offers the advantage of uncompressed audio files and broader compatibility across different devices and systems. Assess your needs, consider your audio equipment, and make an informed decision to achieve the audio experience you desire in your home theater system.
Tips to Make a Wise Decision
- Choosing Bitstream will be better if your music player is great.
- Choosing PCM will be beneficial if you have an advanced receiver.
- You can also choose PCM or Bitstream, depending on the connection.
- If still confused, you can give both settings a test and choose the better one.
Conclusion: Bitstream vs PCM
That’s all about Bitstream vs PCM! From the final verdict, you can understand that choosing PCM over Bitstream and vice versa is not a difficult task. So, the next time you’re asked, all you need to confirm is the sound type and the devices you’re using.
Based on the same, you can easily determine which one you should prefer among these two options.
