Help with Connections, choices

[jimf233]

I just ordered DMP-BD35K. I have a Sony SXRX RP TV that is equiped with HDMI though I don't presently use them.
I have a fairly new Yamaha Receiver that is not HDMI capable and handles Doblby Prologic II, DTS, and Neural Sound decoder .
The reason I am not using HDMI between the cable box or the DVD and the TV is that when I do the HDMI protocol determines that the TV has only stereo speakers, and doesn't send over the 5:1 sound. Therefore I use video component from the cable box to the TV, Audio optical from the cable box to the Receiver, Video coax from the DVD to the TV, and Audio Coax from the DVD player to the Receiver.

When I replace the DVD with the Pan DMP-BD35K player what connections and setup choices should I select?

Also since my router is on a different floor, what is the impact on no internet connection?

[cinema725]

Doesn't your dvd player have optical out? Which you can connect to the receiver for 5.1 sound while concurrently running the hdmi to the television for video. You just have the make sure the settings are correct on the dvd player.

You should also be able to do this with the Pan blu-ray player.

What model is the Yamaha? It should have more than one optical input for both cable box and dvd player.

With no internet connection, you cannot access bd-live features or updates on your new blu-ray player. This can be a big deal to some, and not so important to others.

[jimf233]

My Yamaha is RX- V461. I think it does have two optical connections

[cinema725]

Yea, I checked it out, it does. So test out that possible connection configuration and see if it works out!

Good luck

[jimf233]

Thanks I will get this tomorrow and will try the optical connections. Any other choices such as bit stream, encoding choices, etc ?

[My_Two_Cents]

Looking at the manual for the RX-V461, I see that it has 5.1 analog input jacks. This means that you CAN listen to HD audio if you had a BD player with 5.1 analog outs. Unfortunately, the BD35 does not. If it's not too late, can you change your purchase to the BD55 or maybe the Sony S550? Your other option for HD audio, which I would recommend over a different BD player, would be to upgrade your AVR to a new HDMI-capable one.

Question: Why do you care about sending 5.1 to your TV if it only has 2 speakers? You aren't going to be getting 5.1 sound from your set. Just curious.

For now, with your existing equipment, run HDMI video to the TV and bitstream optical to your receiver for lossy DD and DTS.

[jimf233]

Thanks for your info. You are obviously very knowledgeable and its great to be able to get an input from you. When I first set up my system a couple of years ago I tried the HMMI connection to the TV and a non HDMI connection (I think) to the Receiver to get the 5:1 sound. But I didn't get it. What seemed to be happening is that the source unit would be told by the TV set that it was a two channel sound device, and the source unit responded by disabling the 5:1. This was happening when the source was the Scientific Atlanta HD cable box, and may have been happening with the DVD player ( I can't remember for sure). The problem could have been the source units, or I have recently learned that the early HDMI cables may have done this.

[jimf233]

Ricshoe,
My player arrived today and I am keeping it together in case I want to return it for the 55 with the analog sound outputs. Three questions though;
what is the problem with the optical output 5:1 sound? Is there a noticeable difference? How much better with analog and HDMI
If I go with a new receiver, which would you recommend.
Jim

PS- Like the cabinets you have around your 42' TV.

[mr peepers]

Originally Posted by jimf233

Ricshoe,
My player arrived today and I am keeping it together in case I want to return it for the 55 with the analog sound outputs. Three questions though;
what is the problem with the optical output 5:1 sound? Is there a noticeable difference? How much better with analog and HDMI
If I go with a new receiver, which would you recommend.
Jim

PS- Like the cabinets you have around your 42' TV.

when you're using optical output for audio, you'll only ever get the lossy dolby digital/dts core audio tracks.

however, with your current receiver, you can use the analog inputs in conjunction with a bd player (such as the bd55 or s550) and its analog outputs and ability to internally decode HD audio codecs (DTS HD MA/Dolby TrueHD) to get high definition audio in addition to the 1080p hi def video.

personally, the difference between lossy and lossless audio is huge. i have a hard time getting into the movie when its accompanied by a lossy dolby digital track now that i've heard the difference. its very noticeable, even on a rather meager home theater/sound system.


if you're looking at buying a new receiver, then you can opt for one able to do the decoding of hd audio codecs and you wont have to worry about returning the bd35 for the 55.

[jimf233]

I have set up the Pan BD35 player with HDMI to a three year old Sony SXRD set via a three year old HDMI cable. The picture is ok, but the colors seem muted and pale. Any ideas?

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by jimf233

I have set up the Pan BD35 player with HDMI to a three year old Sony SXRD set via a three year old HDMI cable. The picture is ok, but the colors seem muted and pale. Any ideas?

Maybe a calibration issue. Have you had any HD source connected to this TV prior?

If you have but this is a DIFFERENT HDMI port, you may need to copy any calibration settings to the new port.

Just a athought.

-Lou

[jimf233]

I have not used this port before. You can calibrate separately for different ports on a Sony?

[Hammie]

I don't know about your Sony, per se, but I can on my Samsung. I have my HDMI1 configured for everything that comes through my receiver and HDMI4 setup for when my wife or I plug our laptops into it.