Noob question about 5.1 and 7.1

[sonnyworld85]

Hey everyone, this is probably a stupid question but I just need some clarification. If I hook up my blu-ray player to a 5.1 surround sound system, and then watch a blu-ray movie which only has Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound...will I still get proper 5.1 sound? or will it sound strange because the movie supports 7.1 but I only have 5.1?
Also, if my blu-ray player decodes TrueHD, do I need to buy a receiver that has the TrueHD logo on it? or just any receiver will do?

thanks!!

[Cadrian]

If the Blu-ray is 7.1 and you have a 5.1 system it will sound proper.... Ill let someone else explain why, but it will

As for your receiver, what Blu-ray player do you have?

If you have a Blu-ray player that decodes HD audio and outputs PCM (Pure uncompressed Audio) then no you want need a reciever that can decode Dolby TrueHD, just one that can read PCM.

If your player does not have onboard HD audio Decoding then to get HD audio you will have the Player bitstream (send the Compressed audio) to the receiver that can decode it for you.

[sonnyworld85]

Originally Posted by Cadrian

If the Blu-ray is 7.1 and you have a 5.1 system it will sound proper.... Ill let someone else explain why, but it will

As for your receiver, what Blu-ray player do you have?

If you have a Blu-ray player that decodes HD audio and outputs PCM (Pure uncompressed Audio) then no you want need a reciever that can decode Dolby TrueHD, just one that can read PCM.

If your player does not have onboard HD audio Decoding then to get HD audio you will have the Player bitstream (send the Compressed audio) to the receiver that can decode it for you.

I have the Sony BDP-S350 and it says that it decodes Dolby TrueHD. So I should just look for a receiver that can read PCM?

[Cadrian]

OK I just seen you have a Sony-350 player....

That player decodes Dolby TrueHD.... but not DTSHD-MA which is the other HD audio, which a lot of blu-rays come with. IE the whole Bond Series or Diehards....

So If you got a receiver that didn't have onboard DTSHD-MA and accepted PCM, you would only get HD Audio from Blu-rays with Dolby TrueHD.

I would suggest a receiver with with HD audio decoding Onboard....

My personal Suggestions would be,
Onkyo TX-SR606 $335 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR705 $450 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR706 $480 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR806 $608 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR805 $Can be found for 600 Amazon has for 680 right now.

Refurbished SR606 for $256.... http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Receiver...avid=155441533

All those receivers are 7.1.... But Could easily be 5.1 if you wanted them to be.

[Cadrian]

If did decide on a Onkyo Receiver and didnt mind refurb....

You might want to buy from http://www.accessories4less.com/make...r-BLACK/1.html

They are authorized dealers... Stuff like this you want Authorized dealers.

[VHS4Ever]

Originally Posted by Cadrian

OK I just seen you have a Sony-350 player....

That player decodes Dolby TrueHD.... but not DTSHD-MA which is the other HD audio, which a lot of blu-rays come with. IE the whole Bond Series or Diehards....

So If you got a receiver that didn't have onboard DTSHD-MA and accepted PCM, you would only get HD Audio from Blu-rays with Dolby TrueHD.

I would suggest a receiver with with HD audio decoding Onboard....

My personal Suggestions would be,
Onkyo TX-SR606 $335 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR705 $450 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR706 $480 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR806 $608 Amazon
Onkyo TX-SR805 $Can be found for 600 Amazon has for 680 right now.

Refurbished SR606 for $256.... http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Receiver...avid=155441533

All those receivers are 7.1.... But Could easily be 5.1 if you wanted them to be.

+1

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by sonnyworld85

Hey everyone, this is probably a stupid question but I just need some clarification. If I hook up my blu-ray player to a 5.1 surround sound system, and then watch a blu-ray movie which only has Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround sound...will I still get proper 5.1 sound? or will it sound strange because the movie supports 7.1 but I only have 5.1?
Also, if my blu-ray player decodes TrueHD, do I need to buy a receiver that has the TrueHD logo on it? or just any receiver will do?

thanks!!

As long as your player can decode TrueHD AND DTS-HD MA, you don't need your receiver to do so. However, make sure your receiver accepts the output method (either HDMI or analog outs from the player). Knowing what player you have will help answer this.

As far as 7.1 in a 5.1 system, it'll just roll those rear two channels back into your surround speakers. It'll sound terrific and you won't be able to tell the difference between a similar 7.1 and 5.1 track playing 5.1 on your setup.