Blu-Ray, Receiver Upgrade Path

[SN95GT50]

Current Setup
TV) Panasonic TH-50PX60U (720p/1080i)
Receiver) Pioneer VSX-D514
Speakers) Middle of the read speakers
Subwoofer) Klipsh 10"

I am getting a BluRay player for xmas, I can't justify a new receiver quite yet or at least at the same time. Knowing that my DVD player does not support HDMI but does support 5.1 channel inputs. I also like the ability to stream from Netflix for kids shows and spur of the moment watching, this is not a requirement but would free up my queue for movies I want to watch.

The major players are Samsung, Panasonic and Sony. To be able to take advantage of the improved sound, I need atleast 5.1 output so that limits me to the following models:

Samsung BD-P2550 ~$299
Panasonic DMP-BD55 ~$399
Sony BDP-S550 ~$349

If I understand this stuff correctly, the best sound quality comes from the HDMI, then the 5.1 or 7.1 output and downhill from there. This is why I picked these models and price.

First off, is anything I said above incorrect?
How good is the picture from Netflix? Wil it get any better?

Eventually I will upgrade to an HDMI compatible receiver (or what ever the new thing is) but, until then I gotta work with what I have.

I am leaning towards the Samsung because of Netflix streaming and price. Is there anything else I should I should be considering? Other models, other features?

Any advice would be appreciated.

SN95GT50

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by SN95GT50

The major players are Samsung, Panasonic and Sony. To be able to take advantage of the improved sound, I need atleast 5.1 output so that limits me to the following models:

Samsung BD-P2550 ~$299
Panasonic DMP-BD55 ~$399
Sony BDP-S550 ~$349

I believe the Samsung does not decode dts-MA and it is not clear whether that function will be added by a firmware update at some point down the road. So, the Samsung won't pair as well as the other two with your current AVR if you want the best audio.

If I understand this stuff correctly, the best sound quality comes from the HDMI, then the 5.1 or 7.1 output and downhill from there.

That's not quite right. All audio is analog in the end. It doesn't matter whether it gets converted from digital to analog in the player or the receiver. So, HDMI and analog are the same quality in this context. There are some other factors, though, having to do with how the audio is processed before it gets converted to analog. HDMI is certainly easier and allows your receiver to help with processing, which is its main advantage.

[SN95GT50]

So, HDMI is digital and the 5.1 or 7.1 is analog. So, if the Samsung does not decode dts-MA if I use HDMI and my receiver (when I replace) decodes it then I would get it correct? But, I would not be able to get that decoding via the 5.1 or 7.1 because the Samsung does not have internal decoding of it. Was that a good summary or am I still missing the boat.

What exactly is hts-MA? is this on all DVDs or is it just from some filmmakers? If you can not decode it internally what actually comes out? Mono ? What is preferred? Decoding in the receiver or the player?

I really appreciate this education,
SN95GT50

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by SN95GT50

So, HDMI is digital and the 5.1 or 7.1 is analog. So, if the Samsung does not decode dts-MA if I use HDMI and my receiver (when I replace) decodes it then I would get it correct? But, I would not be able to get that decoding via the 5.1 or 7.1 because the Samsung does not have internal decoding of it. Was that a good summary or am I still missing the boat.

Yes, you sort of have it. 5.1 and 7.1 actually just mean there are five channels plus a sub or seven channels plus a sub. They have nothing to do with digital vs. analog. But, it is true that you cannot get dts-MA from the Samsung with your current receiver.

What exactly is hts-MA? is this on all DVDs or is it just from some filmmakers?

It's DTS' lossless encoding format. It's just a zip file that takes out a bunch of data to save space and then puts it all back on playout.

If you can not decode it internally what actually comes out? Mono ?

The player will use the DTS core instead of the lossless version. The DTS core is the same version that you find on DVDs and all receivers can handle that. The core track is compressed so much that some the data is not restored on playout. That's the difference between the older "lossy" formats and the new "lossless" ones.

What is preferred? Decoding in the receiver or the player?

It doesn't matter. If you have a receiver that can decolde, you can go either way. If your receiver doesn't have the new decoders, then you need to that job in the player instead.

[SN95GT50]

What do I lose if I go with digital audio or fiber from my player to the receiver?

Are these better or worse than the 5.1 analogs? How about compared to the HDMI? I am only concerned with audio when asking this question.

SN95GT50

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by SN95GT50

What do I lose if I go with digital audio or fiber from my player to the receiver?

Are these better or worse than the 5.1 analogs? How about compared to the HDMI? I am only concerned with audio when asking this question.

HDMI and optical are both digital and there's no difference in the quality of the audio they output. However, the studios will not permit the lossless formats to be sent over optical. So, HDMI is better because of the audio it is allowed to carry. If you play a lossless track and send it over HDMI, you'll get the lossless version. If you play the same track and send it over optical, the player will send the older lossy version instead.

Digital audio always has to get converted to analog in order to drive the speakers and create sound we can hear. That usually happens in the receiver. But, it can also happen in the player. If your receiver lacks HDMI, then the only way to get lossless audio is by doing the decoding and the digital to analog conversion in the player. The audio quality is the same either way (with some caveats).

How much difference is there between the older lossy formats and the new lossless ones? That depends on who you ask. I think lossless is better, but not significantly so.

[callas01]

A few people have commented that Samsungs firmware updates are slow to come out, are not always correct or incomplete....

I would suggest getting either the Panny or the Sony, just my opinion though.