Lost..How do I know which receivers will support TruHD and DTSMA out from HDMI src?

[ridergroov1]

Hi folks. I've been trying to figure this out for awhile. Here goes. My first receiver had 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI out. It could not process the audio from my Playstation 3 for TrueHD or DTSMA in any fashion. I could not bitstream it to the receiver nor could I process at the Playstation and pass as PCM. First question here...why not?

Second. Is there a difference between looking for a receiver that will accept PCM audio (from PS3 or whatever) that has been decoded at the PS3 and looking for one that will accept a bitstream form a device to decode? Or if it does it one way will it do the other?

Third Question. What is the wording I would be looking for based on the second question answer to make sure that I could either do one or the other for a new receiver.

Lastly. Thanks in advance to whoever can help me figure this out. Basically I have all these questions because I'm trying to help my dad get a fairly cheap receiver that will do all this stuff and I can't figure out how to distinguish which receiver will do what. Thanks.

[emoxley]

Your first receiver may have been HDMI "pass through", which would be for video only, for easy switching.

Easiest way is to go to manufacturers websites, find their page of receivers, and compare. Their page will tell you if the receiver decodes Dolby TrueHD and dtsHD Master. It will also have the words printed on front of the receiver, usually. If it does, it should also accept PCM from the ps3. When accepting PCM, it won't say Dolby TrueHD or dtsHD Mstr in the receiver's window. That only happens when bitstreaming with the receiver decoding the signal.

The cheapest receiver I know of that will do this is the Onkyo TX-SR507. It's a very good receiver, especially for the price. They have it right now for $321.41. It may not be that price for long though.
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR507...0143120&sr=1-5
You can look at Yamaha, Denon, etc., but this Onkyo is probably the cheapest you'll find, that does what you want.
Good luck!

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by ridergroov1

Hi folks. I've been trying to figure this out for awhile. Here goes. My first receiver had 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI out. It could not process the audio from my Playstation 3 for TrueHD or DTSMA in any fashion. I could not bitstream it to the receiver nor could I process at the Playstation and pass as PCM. First question here...why not?

PS3's can decode TrueHD and dts-MA and output them as PCM over HDMI. If your receiver can process audio over HDMI, then the problem is your PS3 setup. I can't help with that.

Second. Is there a difference between looking for a receiver that will accept PCM audio (from PS3 or whatever) that has been decoded at the PS3 and looking for one that will accept a bitstream form a device to decode? Or if it does it one way will it do the other?

Yes, there's a difference. Bitstream requires HDMI 1.3 and TrueHD and dts-MA decoders. PCM can be handled by a receiver with HDMI 1.1. But, these days, most AVRs have HDMI 1.3 and the needed decoders for HD bitstream processing.

Third Question. What is the wording I would be looking for based on the second question answer to make sure that I could either do one or the other for a new receiver.

You need avoid the cheap AVRs that only do HDMI "passthrough" or HDMI "switching". Those words mean the AVR doesn't process audio over HDMI. The HDMI section of the manual will also say a separate audio connection is required, although the note about that may be buried in the fine print.

[ridergroov1]

Originally Posted by BIslander

PS3's can decode TrueHD and dts-MA and output them as PCM over HDMI. If your receiver can process audio over HDMI, then the problem is your PS3 setup. I can't help with that.

Yes, there's a difference. Bitstream requires HDMI 1.3 and TrueHD and dts-MA decoders. PCM can be handled by a receiver with HDMI 1.1. But, these days, most AVRs have HDMI 1.3 and the needed decoders for HD bitstream processing.

You need avoid the cheap AVRs that only do HDMI "passthrough" or HDMI "switching". Those words mean the AVR doesn't process audio over HDMI. The HDMI section of the manual will also say a separate audio connection is required, although the note about that may be buried in the fine print.

This is kind of what I'm trying to say, my receiver, Yamaha RX-V465 says "HDMI Passthrough" on their website but I knwo for a fact it can decode DTSMA and TruHD. the wording that is used is my dilema.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by ridergroov1

This is kind of what I'm trying to say, my receiver, Yamaha RX-V465 says "HDMI Passthrough" on their website but I knwo for a fact it can decode DTSMA and TruHD. the wording that is used is my dilema.

The literature on the RX-V465 clearly says it decodes TrueHD and dts-MA. So, there's no doubt that it processes audio, including the new lossless codecs.

The pass-through described in the manual is a Yamaha feature called HDMI Through. It will pass HDMI signals through from a component to a TV when in standby mode. Perhaps there's some confusion in the way Yamaha describes that feature. But, it's not the same thing we are discussing in this thread.

When looking at specs for inexpensive receivers, terms like pass through and switching usually mean no audio processing. If you see such terms and there's no indication that the receiver does HDMI audio decoding, then take a look at the manual. Go to the HDMI section and see whether it says a separate audio connection is required.

btw, video pass-through is often a desired feature. It means the video is not processed by the receiver in any way. It's just passed through to the display, which is generally a good thing for 1080p source video going to a 1080p display.

[callas01]

easiest way to know is to look at the various websites and see what companies have receivers that say DD true HD/DTS HD MA decoding or that support HDMI 1.3a repeating. If it says 1.3a switching and 1.1 repeating, then it will typically support all video specs but only PCM audio.