analog lossless v/s HDMI TruHD

[Jaguar007]

My basic question is : Is there any difference listening to a Blu Ray on lossless through analog cables v/s listening using HDMI TrueHD?

I have a Samsung 1400 Blu player and an older Pioneer receiver (about 5-6yrs). I have been watching my blu rays in lossless using the analog cables. My reviever is starting to go on the fritz and I may be looking at purchasing a new receiver soon (the timing is not good). I am looking at either The Onkyo SR505S which does not have TrueHD, but does have an HDMI input but I could probably still use analog cables (for Lossless) or spending the extra $200 and getting Onkyo 606 which does have TruHD & DTSHD.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Jaguar007

My basic question is : Is there any difference listening to a Blu Ray on lossless through analog cables v/s listening using HDMI TrueHD?

If you let your BDP do the decoding, you are at its mercy vis-a-vis sound quality, and similarly with the receiver doing the decoding. So the question is, how good are the decoders in your player, and how good are they in your proposed receiver?

[crackinhedz]

So the question is, how good are the decoders in your player, and how good are they in your proposed receiver?

decoding is done the same in any device. Its the play back part that is the question.

Does the Player have better DAC's? or does the Receiver?

[Woody]

Originally Posted by Jaguar007

My basic question is : Is there any difference listening to a Blu Ray on lossless through analog cables v/s listening using HDMI TrueHD?

I have a Samsung 1400 Blu player and an older Pioneer receiver (about 5-6yrs). I have been watching my blu rays in lossless using the analog cables. My reviever is starting to go on the fritz and I may be looking at purchasing a new receiver soon (the timing is not good). I am looking at either The Onkyo SR505S which does not have TrueHD, but does have an HDMI input but I could probably still use analog cables (for Lossless) or spending the extra $200 and getting Onkyo 606 which does have TruHD & DTSHD.

Meh AQ would be a toss up in your example. If you have the player do it, you lose the more flexible DAC section that a receiver will have. (ie: crossover points and speaker distance settings) Bass/speaker management is usually VERY limited in players.

At this point your Sammy will not decode DTS HDMA which is on all Fox and Universal movies.

[Gremal]

Yeah, there's even a difference TrueHD vs LPCM via HDMI. I know because I heard with my own ears at Dolby Labs at a demo last year.

[Stephan.klose]

Originally Posted by Jaguar007

My basic question is : Is there any difference listening to a Blu Ray on lossless through analog cables v/s listening using HDMI TrueHD?

I have a Samsung 1400 Blu player and an older Pioneer receiver (about 5-6yrs). I have been watching my blu rays in lossless using the analog cables. My reviever is starting to go on the fritz and I may be looking at purchasing a new receiver soon (the timing is not good). I am looking at either The Onkyo SR505S which does not have TrueHD, but does have an HDMI input but I could probably still use analog cables (for Lossless) or spending the extra $200 and getting Onkyo 606 which does have TruHD & DTSHD.

Best you get the Onkyo 606. It handles everything the Samsung can put out there. I have that setup at home and we have that exact same setup where I work. The 505 can't read the sound from the HDMI inputs. It's just pass through. Your only option is to get the 606. Or get the 605. You might get it cheaper. Only difference. The 606 has 4 hdmi inputs vs 2 of the 605 and it has a nicer remote. That's about it.

[Jaguar007]

A sales rep from Video Only told me that the 605/606 had HDMI inputs/outputs, but would not play true lossless audio - he told me I needed to movie up to something like the Yahama 863 for something like that. Is he blowing smoke up my a$$ ?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Jaguar007

Is he blowing smoke up my a$$ ?

yes.

if he is really that deceiving, I would not provide him with your business. He really should know better.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yeah, there's even a difference TrueHD vs LPCM via HDMI. I know because I heard with my own ears at Dolby Labs at a demo last year.

You're pulling upon my leg, no?

[Kilian]

Originally Posted by Woody

If you have the player do it, you lose the more flexible DAC section that a receiver will have. (ie: crossover points and speaker distance settings) Bass/speaker management is usually VERY limited in players.

I thought the DSP chip does all these; so you're saying the DAC does these too?

[Penny]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

decoding is done the same in any device. Its the play back part that is the question.

Does the Player have better DAC's? or does the Receiver?

If this were true then why would there be so much variance in decoding issues (think DTS HD bomb and Dolby THD drop outs)between the different brands? Different chips are going to provide different levels of decoding aptitude. But, yes DAC's are definitely the deciding factor in the end product coming through the speakers (along with the amplifier).