What is the PCM audio track option and how does it compare to audio CDs, Dolby Digital, and DTS?
PCM stands for Pulse Code Modulation, a way of sampling the analog audio signal and converting it to a digital signal. This is the same encoding technique used for audio CDs. Audio CDs have 16-bit samples at 44.1 kHz (44,100 times per second). The PCM audio track on a DVD-Video (usually found on concert/music DVDs) can have 16-bit, 20-bit, or 24-bit samples at either 48 kHz (48,000 times per second) or 96 kHz (96,000 times per second). Longer bit samples (24-bit vs. 16-bit) allow for wider dynamic range (i.e., the difference between the softest sounds and the loudest sounds) and hence the finer nuances of sounds can be recorded. Higher sampling rates (96 kHz vs. 44.1 kHz) allow more accurate and realistic reproduction of higher frequencies. Since a PCM audio track on a DVD-Video consists of at least 16-bit samples at 48 kHz, and up to 24-bit samples at 96 kHz, it is at least as good as audio CD quality. Like audio CDs, DVD-Video PCM audio tracks are stereo. Read more about PCM in our D
