Hi Def audio formats-How to buy the right player/receiver combo

[bilgirami]

All blu-ray fans,

Here is a question that may be of interest to others as well.
1. If I have a A/V receiver that can decode Dolby True HD/DTS True HD and DTS True HD master, do I need a blu ray player that also has the ability to decode these audio formats? What type of output we need from the player and on what connection (HDMI (1.2/1.3) or discrete analog)?

2. Conversely, if my bluray player has on board decoders for these HD audio formats, do I still need an A/V receiver that can handle HD audio formats? What would be the output from my player so my non HD audo a/v receiver could accept the player output and I could hear HD sound from my receiver.

Based on what I have learned so far, the one bluray player that has minimum amount of issues with playing all types of bluray disks, coming out now and from before and that can support all HD audio formats (except DTS HD master) is PS3. I have also learned that PS3 decodes hi def audio through software, not hardware. It can decode all formats except DTS HD master and apparently DTS and sony are in talks to write a codec for this format as well (which will make life easy). So is PS3 the best bluray player around at this time (and with its internet connectivity will continue to be one). I need to upgrade my current system and want to be somewhat future proof

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by bilgirami

1. If I have a A/V receiver that can decode Dolby True HD/DTS True HD and DTS True HD master, do I need a blu ray player that also has the ability to decode these audio formats? What type of output we need from the player and on what connection (HDMI (1.2/1.3) or discrete analog)?

If you have a receiver that can decode Dolby TrueHD and Dts-HD MA (has to be HDMI v1.3 receiver), then you need a Bluray player that can bitstream those formats. (some bluray players can bitstream, some can internally decode, and some cannot do either)

2. Conversely, if my bluray player has on board decoders for these HD audio formats, do I still need an A/V receiver that can handle HD audio formats?

If the bluray player has internal decoding then all you need is an HDMI 1.1 receiver or higher that can process hdmi audio or, any receiver that has Multichannel Analog inputs (some players have multich. analog outs, but not the PS3)

[JimPullan]

A couple fine products come to mind for your application, the first would be the Panasonic DMP-BD30 which 'bitstreams' all the advanced high bit audio codecs via HDMI cable to your receiver, which has the decoders. NO you don't need decoders in both devices, the Blu-ray Disc Player and the Receiver. The first week of June, Sony will be introducing the BDPS-350 that works exactly like the Panasonic, but will also be Profile 2.0 capable for BD-Live capability. Panasonic, also about that same time frame will be introducing the DMP-BD50 which, I believe is Profile 2.0, but includes all the advanced high bit audio decoders in the unit.

One of the best, and least expensive cables you can purchase, once, and be done with it is an HDMI 1.3a Catagory 2 compliant HDMI Interconnect, and these at whatever length you'll need are available at MonoPrice.com. You'll need NO other HDMI cable. It has the bandwidth to carry 'everything' !!! [Jim]

[Brian Cash]

ok so then if i have a ps3 hooked up to my onkyo 905 im getting the true hd audio correct cause thats what im confused about cause i heard that ps3 isnt able to get the true hd audio

[JimPullan]

Sorry Brian, I can't comment about the Sony PS-3. I'm sure others here with that unit can discuss this in detail further with you. [Jim]

[ryoohki]

Right now Bitstream Player are

Pioneer 94D (????)
Panasonic BD300(499$)
Samsung 1400 (399$)

Coming Soon

May : Panasonic BD500 (?????)
July/August : Sony S330, S550 (349$/449$)
Funai (2Q) : 299$
New Samsung : 3Q

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Brian Cash

ok so then if i have a ps3 hooked up to my onkyo 905 im getting the true hd audio correct cause thats what im confused about cause i heard that ps3 isnt able to get the true hd audio

The PS3 internally decodes Dolby TrueHD. (heck, look on the side of the PS3 and look at the TrueHD logo )




however, there is no support yet for Dts-HD Master.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Right now Bitstream Player are

Pioneer 94D (????)
Panasonic BD300(499$)
Samsung 1400 (399$)

You can add the Pioneer 95FD to that list.