Sony Blu-Ray audio question - Blu-ray Forum

Bouch097 · 02-03-2007, 02:30 PM

My receiver (Pioneer VSX-1016TXV-K) does HDMI switching, but does not play audio signals via the HDMI, only through the digital audio inputs (I did not know this when I got it). It just passes the sound through the HDMI directly to the TV. Personally, I think it sounds great just using the digital coax, but I realize this isn't the highly touted lossless audio. And to be honest, I'm a little confused by all of the audio formats, inputs, and outputs at this point, and which are better.

I guess my question is what is the best way for me to run the audio. As I have it set up currently w/ the digital coax? Using the 5.1 analog inputs (I thought I read somewhere this is lossless)? Or, I read somewhere that you can run the sound through the HDMI to the TV, and then back to the receiver using the tos-link out (but that sounds pointless to me)... Which would be better? I'd like to experience Dolby-HD/DTS-HD if possible w/ this receiver.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Maximus · 02-03-2007, 02:35 PM

Use the 5.1 analogue outs on the player itslef as it will use the PCM track for lossless audio instead of the receiver decoding a DD track which will not sound as good.

Bouch097 · 02-03-2007, 02:52 PM

So, that is the best way, eh? I guess I just have a hard time hearing the word "analog" and ranking it higher than anything w/ the word "digital" in it.

minimoke · 02-03-2007, 03:04 PM

I just read about this AVreceiver and did not found what you write here.

In the specsheet is written that the receiver does pass-through of 1080p video only. For me, that means, it can receive a 1080p signal and send it to your screen/projector. It can however NOT upscale dvd's or other sources of lower quality to 1080p.

That means that you CAN send sound signal (eg. PCM 5.1 or 7.1) to your receiver using HDMI.
It is just a matter of finding the right settings. Try your manual. It's no fun, but it can help.

Bouch097 · 02-03-2007, 03:17 PM

Here's a link to the CNet review of my Pioneer.
http://reviews.cnet.com/Pioneer_VSX_...-32026748.html

The "The Bad" section: "HDMI switching is for video only, which means you'll have to hook up audio cables as well."

Also, it reads, "...the HDMI inputs can accept video signals only from source devices. Audio signals can be passed along to the speakers of an HDMI-equipped TV, but you won't get any audio from your receiver unless you also connect analog or digital audio cables from the source." I've read the manual several times looking or a loophole and couldn't find one.

As far as upscaling SD DVD's, is that not done internally by the Blu-Ray player? Not that it matters anyways in my situation. I have a Sony SXRD XBR1, which upconverts it 1080p, but doesn't accept a 1080p signal. So, I only have the Blu-Ray putting out in 1080i anyways.

Bouch097 · 02-03-2007, 03:23 PM

Here's a rather stupid question though. Since the analog outputs are only 5.1, do the "rear" outputs on the Blu-Ray connect to the "surround" or "surround back" inputs on the receiver? I'm pretty sure it's "surround", but I wanted to be sure before I push everything back into place on the rack.

NovaBomb · 02-03-2007, 04:11 PM

Why don't you use an optical cable to your receiver, untill HDMI 1.3 receivers come out, your going to get the same quaity surround sound with an optical cable then a HDMI. it will be way better then anologe.

Bouch097 · 02-03-2007, 04:18 PM

My tos-link inputs are all already taken (XBox 360 and DTV HD DVR), but I was using the digital coax. I was thinking the same as you simply b/c of the word "analogue" vs digital. But most of the rest of the suggestions I've been getting say that the lossless PCM downstream from the Blu-Ray using the 5.1 analogue is better.

Anyone else w/ any input on this question?

NovaBomb · 02-03-2007, 04:34 PM

Thats a real nice looking receiver, sucks that it wouldn't have sound via HDMI. It must of been one of the first models to come out with HDMI input\outputs. Still I think the next best thing would be optical.

minimoke · 02-04-2007, 07:58 AM

That s*cks with that kind of HDMI switching.
about the analogue connection, can't help you, sorry.

Maximus · 02-04-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bouch097

My tos-link inputs are all already taken (XBox 360 and DTV HD DVR), but I was using the digital coax. I was thinking the same as you simply b/c of the word "analogue" vs digital. But most of the rest of the suggestions I've been getting say that the lossless PCM downstream from the Blu-Ray using the 5.1 analogue is better.

Anyone else w/ any input on this question?

Seriously, analogue outs on the back of the player, you can't beat it, especially not with toslink. Take a look at the bitrates, 640kbps for DD, and well over 5mbps for PCM, and you can't deliver over 1.5mbps over toslink.

josh1233 · 02-05-2007, 05:43 PM

Why would you think that digital audio (which is compressed) would sound better than analog audio (which is not compressed)? Digital does not always equal better.

02-03-2007, 02:30 PM	#1
Bouch097 Junior Member Member since:Feb 2007	Sony Blu-Ray audio question My receiver (Pioneer VSX-1016TXV-K) does HDMI switching, but does not play audio signals via the HDMI, only through the digital audio inputs (I did not know this when I got it). It just passes the sound through the HDMI directly to the TV. Personally, I think it sounds great just using the digital coax, but I realize this isn't the highly touted lossless audio. And to be honest, I'm a little confused by all of the audio formats, inputs, and outputs at this point, and which are better. I guess my question is what is the best way for me to run the audio. As I have it set up currently w/ the digital coax? Using the 5.1 analog inputs (I thought I read somewhere this is lossless)? Or, I read somewhere that you can run the sound through the HDMI to the TV, and then back to the receiver using the tos-link out (but that sounds pointless to me)... Which would be better? I'd like to experience Dolby-HD/DTS-HD if possible w/ this receiver. Thanks in advance for your help.

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02-03-2007, 02:35 PM	#2
Maximus Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2006	Use the 5.1 analogue outs on the player itslef as it will use the PCM track for lossless audio instead of the receiver decoding a DD track which will not sound as good.

02-03-2007, 02:52 PM	#3
Bouch097 Junior Member Member since:Feb 2007	So, that is the best way, eh? I guess I just have a hard time hearing the word "analog" and ranking it higher than anything w/ the word "digital" in it.

02-03-2007, 03:04 PM	#4
minimoke Member Member since:Dec 2006	I just read about this AVreceiver and did not found what you write here. In the specsheet is written that the receiver does pass-through of 1080p video only. For me, that means, it can receive a 1080p signal and send it to your screen/projector. It can however NOT upscale dvd's or other sources of lower quality to 1080p. That means that you CAN send sound signal (eg. PCM 5.1 or 7.1) to your receiver using HDMI. It is just a matter of finding the right settings. Try your manual. It's no fun, but it can help.

02-03-2007, 03:17 PM	#5
Bouch097 Junior Member Member since:Feb 2007	Here's a link to the CNet review of my Pioneer. http://reviews.cnet.com/Pioneer_VSX_...-32026748.html The "The Bad" section: "HDMI switching is for video only, which means you'll have to hook up audio cables as well." Also, it reads, "...the HDMI inputs can accept video signals only from source devices. Audio signals can be passed along to the speakers of an HDMI-equipped TV, but you won't get any audio from your receiver unless you also connect analog or digital audio cables from the source." I've read the manual several times looking or a loophole and couldn't find one. As far as upscaling SD DVD's, is that not done internally by the Blu-Ray player? Not that it matters anyways in my situation. I have a Sony SXRD XBR1, which upconverts it 1080p, but doesn't accept a 1080p signal. So, I only have the Blu-Ray putting out in 1080i anyways.

02-03-2007, 03:23 PM	#6
Bouch097 Junior Member Member since:Feb 2007	Here's a rather stupid question though. Since the analog outputs are only 5.1, do the "rear" outputs on the Blu-Ray connect to the "surround" or "surround back" inputs on the receiver? I'm pretty sure it's "surround", but I wanted to be sure before I push everything back into place on the rack.

02-03-2007, 04:11 PM	#7
NovaBomb Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:48	Why don't you use an optical cable to your receiver, untill HDMI 1.3 receivers come out, your going to get the same quaity surround sound with an optical cable then a HDMI. it will be way better then anologe.

02-03-2007, 04:18 PM	#8
Bouch097 Junior Member Member since:Feb 2007	My tos-link inputs are all already taken (XBox 360 and DTV HD DVR), but I was using the digital coax. I was thinking the same as you simply b/c of the word "analogue" vs digital. But most of the rest of the suggestions I've been getting say that the lossless PCM downstream from the Blu-Ray using the 5.1 analogue is better. Anyone else w/ any input on this question?

02-03-2007, 04:34 PM	#9
NovaBomb Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Blu-ray collection:48	Thats a real nice looking receiver, sucks that it wouldn't have sound via HDMI. It must of been one of the first models to come out with HDMI input\outputs. Still I think the next best thing would be optical.

02-04-2007, 07:58 AM	#10
minimoke Member Member since:Dec 2006	That s*cks with that kind of HDMI switching. about the analogue connection, can't help you, sorry.

02-05-2007, 05:43 PM	#12
josh1233 Member Member since:Dec 2006	Why would you think that digital audio (which is compressed) would sound better than analog audio (which is not compressed)? Digital does not always equal better.

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