Should I buy a new reciever to be able to decode my Panasonic BD55?

[fernicus]

a newbie at this so be gentle...
I have an older Harmon Kardon Avr 520 which is rusty but still great. I went to a boxstore and bought a Panasonic BD35? I believe, bluray but now not sure if I should upgrade my reciever to the newer AVR 520 to get TrueHD and other goodies such as IPOD direct input, more power, 7.1, etc.
Is all this upgrading worth it to a tune of $550 more or just use old reliable Harmon Kardon reciever?
The old one could use an upgrading because I am the 2nd owner but still runs fine.
(sorry, mine is the bd35 not 55 as in title)

[Rob J in WNY]

My receiver is going on eight years old (see gallery), and as solid as the day it came out of the box. I am most definitely in the market for a new Sony STR-DG920 receiver, though. My current receiver is the Sony STR-DE845, and it is optically connected to my BD player (Sony BDP-S350). I can enjoy 5.1 surround under all the DD and DTS codecs ("core only" with the newer DD TrueHD and DTS HD-MA tracks), but uncompressed PCM is downmixed to 2 channel stereo (thank goodness that there's typically, at minimum, a standard DD option on BDs). I'm really excited to get into full usage of lossless audio, but optical/coaxial connections are not provisioned for the bandwidth needed, and eight years ago, when I got my current receiver, DTS was just getting into the mainstream. I'm thankful that I spent the extra bones back then, because it still pays off for me know in terms of having a wider audio compatability, albeit backward compatability.

If you are like me, you'll be able to wait a little while longer, because prices will probably get a little lower in the coming weeks/months, and you are probably enjoying pretty good 5.1 sound now (assuming that your new BD player's audio is connected digitally to your current receiver).

Upgrading will mean that you can use HDMI for all audio/video interconnects, which can simplify your setup, and, of course, you'll be ready for 7.1 channel audio.

I suppose it really stands on how much you enjoy your current setup, which I get the feeling that you do a lot. I'm sure better advice than my own is forthcoming, but I hope that this provided some insight for you.

- Rob J

[ixlegitballinxl]

most would agree, part of enjoying blu ray is the audio... Not sure if your bd player can decode > send out analog.. but if not, then YES, upgrade

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

If your receiver has 5.1 or 7.1 anolog audio in's, use those and you've got lossless audio. If it doesn't, you need a new receiver.

[aramis109]

Panny BD35 apparently only has 2.0 analog outs, which... kinda stinks. (Though my PS3 has none... so there ya go). Basically you have 3 options:

1. Live with lossy audio. 5.1 DD and DTS are encoded at a higher bitrate than dvd, so you're still getting some advantage aurally vs. DVD.

2. Buy a new receiver. This will run you approximately $250 and up, with the sky being the limit depending on what you want and what you're willing to spend.

3. Return your player. You could return your player and get one that has 5.1 or 7.1 analog out, such as the Sony BDP-S550. You would then run the analog connections to your receiver.

In my mind, option 3 is the best as it requires the least investment while still gaining lossless, but it may be something that's not feasible to you. Panny makes good players, so don't think that I'm knocking them, it's just that particular model doesn't have great analog outs.

[fernicus]

hi
are you sure the BD35 doesn't internally decode thereby bypassing the need for the reciever to have this function? I've read the Panny is the most feature laden model on the market. Am I incorrect and will that be a significant difference in both video and audio through my Sharp Acquos tv?

thanks

[prerich]

Originally Posted by aramis109

3. Return your player. You could return your player and get one that has 5.1 or 7.1 analog out, such as the Sony BDP-S550. You would then run the analog connections to your receiver.

In my mind, option 3 is the best as it requires the least investment while still gaining lossless, but it may be something that's not feasible to you. Panny makes good players, so don't think that I'm knocking them, it's just that particular model doesn't have great analog outs.

If that's the case, I would go for the Panny 55

[narsibvl]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

My receiver is going on eight years old (see gallery), and as solid as the day it came out of the box. I am most definitely in the market for a new Sony STR-DG920 receiver, though. My current receiver is the Sony STR-DE845, and it is optically connected to my BD player (Sony BDP-S350). I can enjoy 5.1 surround under all the DD and DTS codecs ("core only" with the newer DD TrueHD and DTS HD-MA tracks), but uncompressed PCM is downmixed to 2 channel stereo (thank goodness that there's typically, at minimum, a standard DD option on BDs). I'm really excited to get into full usage of lossless audio, but optical/coaxial connections are not provisioned for the bandwidth needed, and eight years ago, when I got my current receiver, DTS was just getting into the mainstream. I'm thankful that I spent the extra bones back then, because it still pays off for me know in terms of having a wider audio compatability, albeit backward compatability.

If you are like me, you'll be able to wait a little while longer, because prices will probably get a little lower in the coming weeks/months, and you are probably enjoying pretty good 5.1 sound now (assuming that your new BD player's audio is connected digitally to your current receiver).

Upgrading will mean that you can use HDMI for all audio/video interconnects, which can simplify your setup, and, of course, you'll be ready for 7.1 channel audio.

I suppose it really stands on how much you enjoy your current setup, which I get the feeling that you do a lot. I'm sure better advice than my own is forthcoming, but I hope that this provided some insight for you.

- Rob J

HAve a STR-DE835 and i have analog inputs, doesnt STR-DE845 have analog inputs ?

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by narsibvl

HAve a STR-DE835 and i have analog inputs, doesnt STR-DE845 have analog inputs ?

The issue isn't the receiver, it's that the Sony BDP-S350 only has 2.0 analog out. You can do 2.0 lossless with optical. He's wanting to upgrade for lossless audio, so thus it's the old "receiver or player" upgrade quandry.

[fernicus]

so is TrueHD and DTS-HD worth the upgrade? Has anyone taken them for a test run to see how they sound and worth upgrading to?

[aramis109]

...that was necessary.


Fernicus, if you look in the newbie area, there's a poll up if "lossless is worth it." There's something like 57 votes saying yes vs. a dubious 2 voting no. We're all here because we feel that it is.

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by fernicus

a newbie at this so be gentle...
I have an older Harmon Kardon Avr 520 which is rusty but still great. I went to a boxstore and bought a Panasonic BD35? I believe, bluray but now not sure if I should upgrade my reciever to the newer AVR 520 to get TrueHD and other goodies such as IPOD direct input, more power, 7.1, etc.
Is all this upgrading worth it to a tune of $550 more or just use old reliable Harmon Kardon reciever?
The old one could use an upgrading because I am the 2nd owner but still runs fine.
(sorry, mine is the bd35 not 55 as in title)

Check out the Panasonic SA-BX500.I got mine about two weeks ago from J&R music world for $469 including shipping.With 130 x7 watts It sounds fantastic.You can use an iPod with it but the dock is sold separately.Best of all it was made wook best with your 35.The sound is crisp,clear and the bass is amazing.I love mine.

[fernicus]

how about having a USB slot on the player? My panasonic 35 only has the ethernet port on it yet the Sony 3500 has the ethernet AND the USB. Will this usb slot be important in the future thereby making me trade my player for the Sony instead?
great discussion btw.

[aramis109]

It's either for BD-live storage and/or firmware upgrades.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Originally Posted by aramis109

It's either for BD-live storage and/or firmware upgrades.

It's for BD-Live only I believe

[gearyt]

[lghaze42]

Originally Posted by fernicus

a newbie at this so be gentle...
I have an older Harmon Kardon Avr 520 which is rusty but still great. I went to a boxstore and bought a Panasonic BD35? I believe, bluray but now not sure if I should upgrade my reciever to the newer AVR 520 to get TrueHD and other goodies such as IPOD direct input, more power, 7.1, etc.
Is all this upgrading worth it to a tune of $550 more or just use old reliable Harmon Kardon reciever?
The old one could use an upgrading because I am the 2nd owner but still runs fine.
(sorry, mine is the bd35 not 55 as in title)

Check out the Panasonic SA-BX500 AVR.I got mine from J&R for $469.It sounds fantastic and was made to work best with your player.130 watts x 7.