Got a question about Blu Ray players

[Holt81]

Hello everyone. I've been doing some research on the internet about blu ray players and wanted some suggestions here.

I've got a basic Yamaha HTR-6030 surround sound which I enjoy a lot and noticed the talk about the blu ray players with the Dolby TrueHD and in order for you get that feature you needed HDMI on the back, which I don't on my receiver and or multi channel inputs? Which is on the back of my receiver that I have. And that the blu ray player would also have 7.1. analog outputs to be able to get the Dolby TrueHD

Now with my basic system, I've read from Cnet.com about the difference between the sounds and basically it was if you didn't have an upscale system, it pretty much won't make a difference?

I mean if I'm not going to hear a difference between Dolby TrueHD and anything else because of the audio system then I don't want to bother with it.

Cause I see the Sony 550 blu ray player has the 7.1. analog outputs but I just want to know if it's worth it with my system and will there big a difference in audio worth getting it.

Thanks.

[steve_dave]

Audio wise, even with the lossy audio you will still hear a difference. You can also set the BD player to output PCM 2.0 which sounds better than lossy Dolby Digital 5.1..

[Holt81]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Audio wise, even with the lossy audio you will still hear a difference. You can also set the BD player to output PCM 2.0 which sounds better than lossy Dolby Digital 5.1..

Hm interesting. I'm not familiar with some of the technical terms here. I have no idea what PCM 2.0 is.

Are you talking about using the 7.1 analog outputs from a blue ray player with my multi channel inputs on the back of my audio receiver to get the Dolby TrueHD?

[BIslander]

Unfortunately, there's no single/simple answer to you question. But, here are my thoughts.

• I disagree with Cnet. You don't need killer equipment to appreciate the improvement of lossless audio.
  
• Legacy DD 5.1 and DTS over optical also are better on Blu-ray than on DVD. There's more room on BDs, so the older, lossy formats can be encoded at higher bit rates (less compression). That means you get better audio on BD even if you don't do lossless.
  
• Multichannel analog can be a bit of pain to set up.
  
• When using analog, digital processing such as bass management happens in the player instead of the receiver. There's no EQ to deal with room issues, which may or may not matter, depending on your room. And analog uses the digital-analog converters in the player instead of the receiver. That's a lot of variables that can affect the final sound.

I'm a big fan of audio on Blu-ray, SACD, and DVD-Audio. I have my player configured for multichannel analog. But, at the same time, I don't find that lossless offers much improvement over the higher bitrate versions of DD and DTS on Blu-ray. Others will disagree.

At the end of the day, I would recommend getting a player that decodes all formats and has analog outputs. They only cost a bit more.

[cembros]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=40821

read this, it will tell u everything u need to know

[steve_dave]

Ok, deleted my post. Sorry for the misinformation. Never knew I was so wrong.

[Holt81]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

When looking at a blu ray player for built in audio decoders for instance the Sony 550 shows

DTS-HD decoder
Dolby Digital
DTS decoder
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD

I want to make sure that a blu ray player has the DTS-HD decoder and Dolby TrueHD listed as built in audio decoders, correct?

And then make sure the blu ray player has the multichannel analog inputs.

I've got the correct inputs on the back of my receiver, I just want to make sure I have this all down pat before I go looking at blu ray players.

After making sure that a blu ray player has both the multichannel analog inputs and the proper audio decoders I am then set up to be able to receive the Dolby TrueHD?

Am I right, or am I sounding like a fool? Ha.

[link_of_hyrule]

I have a sony BDP S2000ES and have set up HD audio with 6 RCA cables (only 5.1 outputs on back of player, not 7.1). [I have an older receiver, too].

I also connected with Coax digital cable to compare regular DTS/DD on the Blu Ray with the HD audio I am getting via analog connection. When I switch back and forth, I honestly hear no difference between the 2 formats. I actually prefer the "older" DTS/DD better. Sounds more rich and excellent bass - even when increase the dB on the bass by 12 decibals (due to the analog connection). Just some input.

[PatrickL2009]

HD audio is overrated.

[BIslander]

Yes, you have it right. Get a player that has TrueHD and dts-MA decoders and 5.1 or 7.1 analog outputs.

There aren't all that many players that fit the bill. The S550 is one. The Panasonic BD55 is another, if you can find one. The new BD80 will also meet your needs. You can check out the features of all players here:

https://www.blu-ray.com/players/compare.php?p=1

[PlacervilleGuy]

I beleive there is a mistake in the data from that link above.
It shows the Panasonic BD80 as having 7.1 HDMI but only 2.0 analog out.
The BD 80 does have 7.1 analog outs.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by PatrickL2009

HD audio is overrated.

Couldn't disagree with this more. I just got the Sony s550 last night, and have only watched 2 movies.

The TrueHD on both BDs was in a word amazing. MUCH MUCH MUCH better than a regular DVD.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

Couldn't disagree with this more. I just got the Sony s550 last night, and have only watched 2 movies.

The TrueHD on both BDs was in a word amazing. MUCH MUCH MUCH better than a regular DVD.

There's a wrinkle there, though. Lossy DD 5.1 and DTS are also much better on BD than DVD. The legacy formats are less compressed on BD than DVD.

If you want to do the relevant lossless-lossy comparison, you will need to hook up an optical cable and switch back and forth between outputs on BD. Unfortunately, with the S550, you have to change player setups when switching between multichannel analog and optical, which makes it impossible to change outputs seamlessly. And, remember to level match so that volume doesn't color your impression of quality.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by PlacervilleGuy

I beleive there is a mistake in the data from that link above.
It shows the Panasonic BD80 as having 7.1 HDMI but only 2.0 analog out.
The BD 80 does have 7.1 analog outs.

Yes. Good catch.