audiophile/videophile Here To Stay discussion thread

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by JTK

Naturally, I have the typical "upgraditis fear" at play here: Am I going to be back at this point in another year or two? I don't want to be.

On paper, those Yamahas look like they even have somewhat of an edge over the comparable Pioneer Elite receivers. What do you think?

After reading a thread on the Anthem D2 where I asked several questions due to the exact same fears that you have, I think you would be fine. Here is why:

It appears that the new HD Audio formats MUST be decoded in the player. I.E., the receiver/pre-pro won't need to decode it, because any of the HD formats that are authored in the "advanced" mode (virtually all them), the player MUST decode the HD audio format (TrueHD, DTS-HD etc) and then send it via PCM to the receiver/pre-pro via HDMI.

Bob Pariseau explains it quite good here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...04#post8981904

Post 2224.

This brings us all back to getting players that will decode the HD Audio formats themselves. Does the Panny do this yet? What about the PS3? Bob says the HD-A1 will decode TrueHD and send it via PCM through HDMI to a receiver.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Rob Tomlin

After reading a thread on the Anthem D2 where I asked several questions due to the exact same fears that you have, I think you would be fine. Here is why:

It appears that the new HD Audio formats MUST be decoded in the player. I.E., the receiver/pre-pro won't need to decode it, because any of the HD formats that are authored in the "advanced" mode (virtually all them), the player MUST decode the HD audio format (TrueHD, DTS-HD etc) and then send it via PCM to the receiver/pre-pro via HDMI.

Bob Pariseau explains it quite good here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...04#post8981904

Post 2224.

This brings us all back to getting players that will decode the HD Audio formats themselves. Does the Panny do this yet? What about the PS3? Bob says the HD-A1 will decode TrueHD and send it via PCM through HDMI to a receiver.

Bob practically walks on water as far as I'm concerned.


What about this borderline FUD I keep seeing about the audio codecs being "optional" with BD players and the rest of it?

There's also this concern that the PS3 would slip through some cracks as far as things that would normally apply to "players."

----------o-----------

I had asked Chad Vardanore about this and here's what he said about this whole subject of HDMI 1.3, etc.

As long as the player decodes the audio internally, all you need is HDMI 1.1 to pass it as PCM. With HD DVD, since IME tracks are mixed into the audio in the player itself, decoding externally via a 1.3 compatible receiver wouldn't allow you to listen to the commentary. I expect BD will be the same when it's version of IME comes out, unless it's a separate, self contained track.

1.3 is only needed for external decoding in a 1.3 compliant AVR or processor, like sending legacy DD or DTS to a receiver via digital coax or optical. But, it could be years before decoding outside of the player is widely done or practical. If you do shop around for a new AVR now with HDMI 1.1, look at Denon and others known to update their existing products. I expect Denon to offer a 1.3 upgrade to some of their upper end products at least. Some separates manufactureres like Anthem are likely to do the same.

[Rob Tomlin]

Originally Posted by JTK

Bob practically walks on water as far as I'm concerned.

I agree!

What about this borderline FUD I keep seeing about the audio codecs being "optional" with BD players and the rest of it?

This is exactly what I meant about being back "to getting players that will decode the HD Audio formats themselves", because some definitely do NOT do it. In fact, most of the BD players don't. But the Panny is supposed to get a FW update that will take care of this, which is why I was asking about that in my earlier post.

But as I understand it, none of this will have any effect on the receivers! Your concern should be whether your PLAYER will be outdated if it doesn't decode the audio formats. If it does, it can send it via HDMI (1.1 is all you need for this) to your new receiver. No problem, and no real concern about longivity with your new hdmi 1.1 equipped receiver.

If anybody thinks differently, I would love to hear from them!

There's also this concern that the PS3 would slip through some cracks as far as things that would normally apply to "players."

Like what? Does the PS3 currently decode the HD Audio formats? I don't even know, and I have one coming next week!

[Rob Tomlin]

Speaking of the Panny, ValueElectronics is selling it today (black Friday) for $999.99. Not bad.