More audio connection questions.

[acritzer]

Thanks in advance, got a couple more questions. Specifically looking at the panny 55.

1) If I use multichannel analog for 5.1 lossless, what kind of issues might I run into with regular music CDs?

2) What kind of settings am I going to have to adjust?
-I'd like all the new HD audio and movie stuff to be run from the player into the receiver through multichannel.
-I'd like the option of using the TV speakers for movie playback as well.
-Lastly, I'd like to be able to use the player for CD's...usually I use PLIIx settings from my receiver for this (don't know if this will be an option though, with the movie settings).

Had to put off my purchase for a while, but I might get into an allergy study that pays $450. If so, I'll be ordering mid January.

[acritzer]

Anybody want to chime in with some advice on this one? Interested in the audio settings and what that's going to do for different discs, Blu-Ray vs. DVD, vs. CD. Will the same setting work on all, using 5.1 multichannel analog?

[moviefan]

I'd like the option of using the TV speakers for movie playback as well.

Why?

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by moviefan

I'd like the option of using the TV speakers for movie playback as well.

Why?

Because sometimes we just want simple and quiet. Like if my wife is nursing and/or if the little ones are just getting to bed.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by acritzer

1) If I use multichannel analog for 5.1 lossless, what kind of issues might I run into with regular music CDs?

You'll get a stereo output from the L/R front channels using the player's processing and DACs. Or, if you also connect an optical or coax cable, you can use the BD55 just like a CD or DVD player, letting the receiver do all of the processing and digital-analog conversion.

2) What kind of settings am I going to have to adjust?
-I'd like all the new HD audio and movie stuff to be run from the player into the receiver through multichannel.

You can do that.

-I'd like the option of using the TV speakers for movie playback as well.

You can do that too in a couple of ways depending on how you are connected to the TV.

-Lastly, I'd like to be able to use the player for CD's...usually I use PLIIx settings from my receiver for this (don't know if this will be an option though, with the movie settings).

Use digital for CDs. Analog for lossless BD playback precludes the use of DSPs in your receiver. You can also use digital for DVDs, which will enable you to use PLIIx for them.

btw, the higher bit rate versions of DD and DTS on Blu-ray sound tremendous, some say they are as good as lossless. I mention that because it appears you have a 7.1 system. Most BDs are 5.1 and, with analog, you can't apply PLIIx to fill your rear speakers. So, a digital optical or coax connection may actually work better for you than multichannel analog. If you install both connections, then you could use analog for discrete 7.1 discs and discs with uncompressed PCM tracks.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by BIslander

You'll get a stereo output from the L/R front channels using the player's processing and DACs. Or, if you also connect an optical or coax cable, you can use the BD55 just like a CD or DVD player, letting the receiver do all of the processing and digital-analog conversion.

You can do that.
You can do that too in a couple of ways depending on how you are connected to the TV.
Use digital for CDs. Analog for lossless BD playback precludes the use of DSPs in your receiver. You can also use digital for DVDs, which will enable you to use PLIIx for them.

btw, the higher bit rate versions of DD and DTS on Blu-ray sound tremendous, some say they are as good as lossless. I mention that because it appears you have a 7.1 system. Most BDs are 5.1 and, with analog, you can't apply PLIIx to fill your rear speakers. So, a digital optical or coax connection may actually work better for you than multichannel analog. If you install both connections, then you could use analog for discrete 7.1 discs and discs with uncompressed PCM tracks.

My receiver is only 6.1, but I currently don't have the center surround speaker setup (it's a long story), room configuration has a lot to do with it though. If most BD are 5.1, won't they fill up the rear speakers on their own?

So, I can run an optical cable to my receiver and multichannel analog as well? The player won't need tweaking to change between the two, just change the receiver input?

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by acritzer

My receiver is only 6.1, but I currently don't have the center surround speaker setup (it's a long story), room configuration has a lot to do with it though. If most BD are 5.1, won't they fill up the rear speakers on their own?

That's correct, they won't. The player doesn't do any signal processing beyond bass and time management. Also, DVDs with DTS-ES encoding will also be output as 5.1 since the dts-MA "Essential" decoder in the player ignores the ES and 96/24 legacy extensions.

So, I can run an optical cable to my receiver and multichannel analog as well? The player won't need tweaking to change between the two, just change the receiver input?

I have my BD55 set to output lossless over analog for BD playback and coax for DVDs. I just switch the receiver input depending on what I'm watching. The player setups are independent. That's one of the reasons I chose the BD55 over the Sony S550.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by BIslander

That's correct, they won't. The player doesn't do any signal processing beyond bass and time management. Also, DVDs with DTS-ES encoding will also be output as 5.1 since the dts-MA "Essential" decoder in the player ignores the ES and 96/24 legacy extensions.

I have my BD55 set to output lossless over analog for BD playback and coax for DVDs. I just switch the receiver input depending on what I'm watching. The player setups are independent. That's one of the reasons I chose the BD55 over the Sony S550.

Maybe I'm confused about which speakers we're each talking about. Assuming a BD is 5.1 and I have my player connected via multichannel analog 5.1 my surround L/R speakers will work, right? Just not the surround center (which I don't have connected now anyway).

Any idea if prices normally drop after X-mas? I don't know what electronics typically do around the holidays.

Good to know I can set up each connection individually. I'll probably end up using an optical cable for CD and DVD play, using my receiver's functions...but do lossless over analog and let the player control Dolby HD and other newer audio formats (sounds like what you've got setup).

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Maybe I'm confused about which speakers we're each talking about. Assuming a BD is 5.1 and I have my player connected via multichannel analog 5.1 my surround L/R speakers will work, right? Just not the surround center (which I don't have connected now anyway).

That's correct. A 5.1 BD over analog will give 5.1 output, including the surrounds. DSPs are a non-issue if you don't have any rear speakers. I assumed you did since you mentioned PLIIx, which is usually only available on system configured for rear speakers.