Does the Onkyo 605 convert 5.1 to 7.1 in HD Audio ?

[rox addict]

Does the Onkyo 605 allow you to play sound fields when you are watching a 5.1 Blu Ray so your extra back speakers will work ? I just bought a Yamaha VX-663 and when you are in the True HD and DTS-MA modes you cannot use any other sound fields in order to get your back surrounds to work for 7.1.

[SDon1969]

The 605 cannot matrix 5.1 to 7.1 (the 705 will), although there are a couple listening modes that will merge the surround speakers into the rear speakers. Given the choice, however, I prefer the 5.1 "Multich" listening mode.

[rox addict]

Sdon I agree with you because anytime you matrix I believe you lose sound quality. I'm just trying to see if I should trade my Yamaha in for the Onkyo 705. If my Blu Rays in 7.1 would play all 7.1 channels then I wouldn't worry about it too much.... Thanks

[Sonny]

The 605 does 7.1

[Larsco]

I have a closely related question concerning the 605.

I think we all agree that the 605 will not extend a 5.1 PCM source to 7.1. Only a native 7.1 PCM signal will use all the speakers.

But, I have noticed that the 605 will extend bitstreamed non-HD audio (core DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1) to 7.1.

So my question is, if I were to have a player that was able to bitstream HD audio, would the 605 be able to extend 5.1 to 7.1?

I suppose my question would be directed to anyone who has the 605 and a player capable of bitstreaming HD audio.

I understand the points above where I might be better off leaving it as the original 5.1. But in any case, I'm still curious to know if it would work. I'm considering buying a standalone Blu Ray player, and am just trying to figure what advantages I'd have if I bought one that was able to bitstream TrueHD and DTS MA-HD rather than internally decode.

I'm not looking for opions on which decoding is better, receiver or player. I know there are countless posts about that already. Just wanted to know if the 605 will extend 5.1 HD Audio if it is received via bitstream. We already know that it won't if received as PCM.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[skrill]

You need a receiver that will do THX Cinema or Dolby Pro Logic IIx (PLIIx).

Both of those surround modes are available on the 705 series and up and they will properly matrix a 5.1 signal to 7.1. 605 and below do not have those modes as far as I know.