PS3 Slim gains ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 21st 2009 at 6:00PM }
Now, before you go chucking your old PS3 systems out the window saying "OMG it's totally worthless!" remember this: you should actually know what bitstream is and what it means to the average consumer. First-generation PS3s can output in TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, but they can only do so through linear PCM. While this works quite well for most receivers, some audiophiles need support for bitstream audio when handling uncompressed sound. If you're already getting confused by the terminology, fret not: the new PS3 has nothing you can really benefit from.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hedrakk @ Aug 21st 2009 7:43PM
I think many people seems to misunderstand the "new" (and missing) fonctionnalities of the PS3 Slim... The dual OS, the Bravia connectivity are not directly related to the PS3 Slim, they're related to the new OS ver 3.00.
The reason why people seems to misunderstand this is because the news of the new and removed fonctionalities was made at the same time as the PS3 Slim announcement.
More than that, the PS3 Slim and the ver 3.00 will be released at the same date, and new PS3 Slim owners will have to do thier first update right after firing up for the first time their new gem.
Flicky @ Aug 21st 2009 8:01PM
So are you saying that anyone who updates to 3.00 will lose the ability to dual boot ? I'm not sure but it's sounding more like the dual boot and Bravia Sync are hardware issues, not software.
Popfrogs @ Aug 21st 2009 11:19PM
@Flicky: What do you bet that the Slims ship with a firmware revision slightly different than what everyone is running right now, and that's the reason the OtherOS feature is missing? There's no hardware excuse to exclude it.
Christian @ Aug 22nd 2009 11:05AM
@Flicky: it might very well be hardware reasons for ditching multios support. For example if they changed the wifi hardware and other things needing drivers then they would have needed to support that for linux too in order to continue dual os support. I will hold of final judgement, but I am quite convinced that linux support will not go away for the older models even with the new firmware.
Hedrakk @ Aug 23rd 2009 8:27PM
Yeah, ok maybe it's somehow related to the hardware, but I'm pretty sure Sony won't bother to support parallel OS, one for the Slim and one for the other units.
And as for the bravia thing, i'm pretty sure it's only a software matter, and that regardless of what model you have, if you do update your ps3 os (well you won't have the choice if you want to connect you ps3 to the net), we will all get the same upgrades and "downgrade".
Except for the lucky ones that bought their PS3 on the first year and hve the quasi-full BC with PS2 ;) (I'm a lucky one! ;) ).
SolidSnakeX @ Oct 30th 2009 9:42AM
Who cares about those features I have the original 60 gig upgraded to 250 plus I have a 1 TB External HD.. they should concentrate on getting there updates right where is Cross In Game Chat with In Game Music then we've been asking for this a long time as well-->Universal friends and Ban list!! God Someone fire the Director Of Sony ERIC LEMPEL THE MOST LYING SACK OF SHIT THIS SIDE OF THE PLANET!!!!!!!!HEY ERIC MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES! WELL MAYBE FOR YOU! BUT NOT FOR US PS3 OWNERS!
GameDeveloper @ Aug 21st 2009 6:13PM
Man, I really wanted that! I have an original PS3 with the hardware backwards compatibility and got a fancy receiver that can decode those bitstreams, but I was disappointed to find out that the PS3 can't output them... :( It's funny because that is basically the main feature added to HDMI 1.3 (which Sony was touting as an advantage over the 360's HDMI 1.2), so it was basically much ado about nothing...
sony boy @ Aug 21st 2009 6:17PM
i don't get it.
what's dolby??
Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Aug 21st 2009 6:20PM
"the new PS3 has nothing you can really benefit from"
Other than having a second PS3, SIZE, or the CHEAPER PRICE???
Andrew, did the Editor catch that?
Andrew Yoon @ Aug 21st 2009 6:33PM
Haha, I think the point was more that you're not losing much. Don't feel like the PS3 slim is a significant upgrade. If you have one, you should be happy with what you have!
carterk88 @ Aug 21st 2009 6:34PM
Uhhh whatever......it's all really the same anyways. But I guess a nice feature for those who need it.
fanpages @ Aug 21st 2009 6:57PM
The "PS3 Slim" also has (compared to the original 60Gb launch day model)...
...Lower power consumption
...Fewer USB ports
...No memory card slots
...No Super Audio CD support
But is also has...
...The Power button on the front.
Don't all go 'yay' at once.
BFN,
fp.
Popfrogs @ Aug 21st 2009 11:17PM
The USB ports are inconsequential and comparing it to the launch system is unfair. ALL consoles since the 60GB and 20GB launchers lost BC minus a few 80GB with half BC. So basically for the last 2 years you could buy a slim that: 1. Used more power, 2. Generated more heat, 3. Generated more noise from the fans, 4. Took up lots of space and 5. Looked totally classy with your other home theater stuff.
Oh and I bet the YLoD problem is gone now too, since it was probably heat related to begin with. The Slim is an evolution, and a smart one. I will be selling my launch 60GB to buy one.
Flicky @ Aug 21st 2009 7:58PM
So is this confirming that only the slim will get Bravia Sync ? If so, it ain't right......this is the sort of stuff I was promised with HDMI from day one.
Exemplar @ Aug 22nd 2009 2:29AM
Nice article.
maroofh @ Aug 22nd 2009 4:05AM
Yh i was a bit peeved the ps3 didnt have bravia sync when I bought it. Although its a bit annoying when it mutes my receiver for no friggin reason.
TrendGiveAfuck @ Aug 22nd 2009 5:41AM
I've never understood the point of having Linux on that machine...
Saihna @ Sep 24th 2009 11:29PM
I didn't even know it could run Linux...
Ryan PPI @ Aug 25th 2009 5:27PM
Alright, I was hoping for Bistream!!! WOOP WOOP huuum need to sell my Fat PS3...ebay time!
aaronp01 @ Sep 7th 2009 6:37PM
it doesn't even matter that there's only 2 usb ports. any electronics store carries usb hubs, and they're very inexpensive. how is the lack of the memory card readers any different from some of the previous models? bottom line is sony lowered the cost to make the PS3's and passed the savings onto the consumers. without access to the RSX, it's also quite pointless to run linux on them. it takes up valuable HDD space that is better utilized by videos, music, and of course games.