Super Confusion...please help

[PPD3195]

I think I've read so much on here that it's all blended together and now I don't know anything!!

I have an Onkyo 805 receiver, running a 7.1 speaker setup, that I plan on pairing with either the S550 or Panasonic DMB55.

I've read the S550 review thread paying note to the issue with 2nd source audio. I do not care about the PIP and BD Live stuff. I just want to get the best possible sound from my system.

So here's where I'm stuck...

First, analog outs or HDMI? I know my Onkyo will decode all the latest audio formats, and I'd like to take advantage of that. Do I bitstream it, or LCPM (is that right?)

I currently use my PS3 for BD playback, and although I think I'm getting the highest audio output, my Onkyo says multichannel.

Anyway, feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by PPD3195

I think I've read so much on here that it's all blended together and now I don't know anything!!

I have an Onkyo 805 receiver that I plan on pairing with either the S550 or Panasonic DMB55.

I've read the S550 review thread paying note to the issue with 2nd source audio. I do not care about the PIP and BD Live stuff. I just want to get the best possible sound from my system.

So here's where I'm stuck...

First, analog outs or HDMI? I know my Onkyo will decode all the latest audio formats, and I'd like to take advantage of that. Do I bitstream it, or LCPM (is that right?)

I currently use my PS3 for BD playback, and although I think I'm getting the highest audio output, my Onkyo says multichannel.

Anyway, feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

HDMI and pick whatever player will bitstream the lossless audio. If both are capable, then it's a toss up on anything else that matters to you as far as features on the other players. I'd go bitstream, vs. PCM even though it's really all just in your head.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Since you have an 805, you'll want to bitstream to the reciever(via HDMI).

Let the 805 take care of all the decoding, it has excellent DAC's.

[jingoboy_78]

HDMI bitstream IMO

[callas01]

Your Onkyo says multi-channel because the PS3 is doing the decoding of the HD audios. Both the 550 and the 55K should have bitstreaming and onboard decoding. It doesn't matter if you have it set to onboard decoding or bitstream, you are still getting HD audio. \

EDIT: When you have the output set to bitstream you will see your Onkyo say DD True HD, or DTS-HD, but if the Blu ray player is set PCM, then you will see multi-channel on your AVR

[PPD3195]

Sweet, that'll save me a few more bones in buying a quality set of analog cables.

I'm guessing there will be an option on the BD player to have the Onkyo do the decode, or is that automatic by selecting bitstream?

[callas01]

should be automatic by your receiver

[PPD3195]

Awesome, thanks for the quick input!!

I must have picked a good time of day to post questions

[4TA23]

Originally Posted by PPD3195

Sweet, that'll save me a few more bones in buying a quality set of analog cables.

I'm guessing there will be an option on the BD player to have the Onkyo do the decode, or is that automatic by selecting bitstream?

I have the same reciever and really all you need is the Sony 350, gives you the same pic as the 550 from everything I have read, only real difference is the 550 has built in HD for the BD Live (which you say u do not care about, me either) and that it decodes all the HD sound. SInce you have an 805 that does all that for you, why spend the extra dough. I have my Sony 350 bit streaming the audio to my reciever and it does the rest. SOunds fantastic. One thing to make sure, in the set up on your 805 on the HDMI make sure the audio out on the HDMI is turned to off. If you do not do this it just passes the audio to the TV and does not decode in the reciever. I say this because it happened to me and I got sooooo frustrated with this as my reciever was not decoding the sound till I shut the HDMI audio out then all was perfect. Go with the 350, Sony will tell you other then the things listed above they play the pic and bit stream sound in the same fashion.

[4TA23]

Oh yeah and if you ever want BD live just get a 1MB thumb drive usb style and it also does BD live. Above the 550 has a built in HD (hard drive).

[matthewrounds]

Originally Posted by 4TA23

Oh yeah and if you ever want BD live just get a 1MB thumb drive usb style and it also does BD live. Above the 550 has a built in HD (hard drive).

1 GB he means. You may also want to invest in a USB male to female extension. Some thumb drives do not fit in the slot in the back of the S350.

[PPD3195]

Originally Posted by 4TA23

I have the same reciever and really all you need is the Sony 350, gives you the same pic as the 550 from everything I have read, only real difference is the 550 has built in HD for the BD Live (which you say u do not care about, me either) and that it decodes all the HD sound. SInce you have an 805 that does all that for you, why spend the extra dough. I have my Sony 350 bit streaming the audio to my reciever and it does the rest. SOunds fantastic. One thing to make sure, in the set up on your 805 on the HDMI make sure the audio out on the HDMI is turned to off. If you do not do this it just passes the audio to the TV and does not decode in the reciever. I say this because it happened to me and I got sooooo frustrated with this as my reciever was not decoding the sound till I shut the HDMI audio out then all was perfect. Go with the 350, Sony will tell you other then the things listed above they play the pic and bit stream sound in the same fashion.

I need to do some digging and find out if they're using the exact same components in the 350 and 550. Would be great to save some coin. Anyone know for sure?? I'd be interested to know on both the Sony's and the Panny 35 and 55.

Specifically, the upconvert ability, BD pic quality and audio quality.

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

1 GB he means. You may also want to invest in a USB male to female extension. Some thumb drives do not fit in the slot in the back of the S350.

Actually, someone confirmed that this 550 unit does not have a 1GB drive built in......

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by PPD3195

I think I've read so much on here that it's all blended together and now I don't know anything!!

I have an Onkyo 805 receiver, running a 7.1 speaker setup, that I plan on pairing with either the S550 or Panasonic DMB55.

I've read the S550 review thread paying note to the issue with 2nd source audio. I do not care about the PIP and BD Live stuff. I just want to get the best possible sound from my system.

So here's where I'm stuck...

First, analog outs or HDMI? I know my Onkyo will decode all the latest audio formats, and I'd like to take advantage of that. Do I bitstream it, or LCPM (is that right?)

I currently use my PS3 for BD playback, and although I think I'm getting the highest audio output, my Onkyo says multichannel.

With either the Sony S550 or the Panasonic DMB55, use HDMI since your receiver can accept and decode DTS HDMA and DTHD. Set it to bitstream and TURN OFF DialNorm on BOTH the player and receiver. With this setting your receiver will show that it is receiving LPCM for discs with uncompressed PCM, DTS HDMA or DTHD for discs with lossless audio, and DTS/DD for DVDs.

On your PS3, connect with HDMI. Set it to LPCM and let it automatically choose the best setting for you since most of the time that setting would be right. Turn off DialNorm on the PS3. With this setting your receiver will show that it is receiving LPCM for all discs and games.


fuad

[bone 15]

anyone know what happened so fast to the panasonic bd50 and is the dmb55 or the sony s550 better in terms of the audio capabilities or the bd live functions? bye the way my reciever is an integra 8.8. I want to make the correct choice for music options as well as video.

[kevinokev]

Originally Posted by PPD3195

I need to do some digging and find out if they're using the exact same components in the 350 and 550. Would be great to save some coin. Anyone know for sure?? I'd be interested to know on both the Sony's and the Panny 35 and 55.

Specifically, the upconvert ability, BD pic quality and audio quality.

I did look into this by calling Sony and the rep said they are the same exact components. The 350 simply does NOT support internal decoding of DTS-MA and also lacks 7.1 analog outputs. Other than that the 350 is the brotha from the same motha.