Digital Surround to Analog 5.1 Converter?

[LimeiBook86]

Hello everyone,

So I just picked up an older Denon AVR-3200 surround sound receiver, mainly because it has a built-in AC-3 RF decoder for my LaserDisc player. Things sound pretty great when playing back an AC-3 disc! However, since this is an older unit, it can not decode DTS or other newer audio signals from a DVD or Blu-ray. Playing some newer films in surround sound with this unit would be nice to have if possible.

So I ended up looking online and came across this product, it looks to be a digital to analog 5.1 converter. You plug in a single coax. or optical cable and out comes six analog RCA plugs, which would fit into the 6 ext. inputs on my Denon system. Some of the reviews online seem favorable, but I'm not too sure what to think.

It's also hard to tell if it supports just DTS and AC3 signals (as some reviews state) or if it has any support for some of the newer audio signals form a Blu-ray discs, like TrueHD, DTS-HD, etc. Now I'm not familiar with DVD/Blu-ray audio signals, so maybe it won't be an issue, but maybe it will be. So I'm curious if any of you folks have had experience with such adapters, or know more than I do about the subject.

Any advice would be great before spending $50-60 on an adapter that may not do what I want.

Thanks!
-Steve

[un4gvn94538]

I dont normally use converters but i do look for 5.1 or 7.1 analog out on blu ray players. I let the player decode some discs. Thats another option if your thinking of upgrading your player anytime soon.

Edit: reviews in your link average 3 out of 5 stars. Personally id pass

[solarrdadd]

why not get a used blu-ray player that has 5.1 analog output, this way, you get full, true lossless audio from the movie. this device only gives you core audio and has some form of DSP.

i see your receiver has 5.1 analog in, if i were you, i would do just what i recommended. that is how you can get the best audio available, lossless multichannel! what player are you currently using?

just saying........

[LimeiBook86]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

I dont normally use converters but i do look for 5.1 or 7.1 analog out on blu ray players. I let the player decode some discs. Thats another option if your thinking of upgrading your player anytime soon.

Edit: reviews in your link average 3 out of 5 stars. Personally id pass

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

why not get a used blu-ray player that has 5.1 analog output, this way, you get full, true lossless audio from the movie. this device only gives you core audio and has some form of DSP.

i see your receiver has 5.1 analog in, if i were you, i would do just what i recommended. that is how you can get the best audio available, lossless multichannel! what player are you currently using?

just saying........

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

The only Blu-ray players I currently have are the original Playstation 3 and a compact Samsung player (to replace the PS3 which now gets picky about the discs it plays). Not counting the BD-ROM in my PC... which I'm guessing through a special sound card could maybe send analog signals out, but that is probably more trouble than its worth. (Actually... I just realized my old PC tower does have 6 channel analog audio out, I may play with that just to see where it takes me. )

My only concern is if I find a Blu-ray player with analog audio out (on my budget) it may be an older model. Would older models have any trouble playing some of the modern audio codecs / signals used today?

Thanks

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by LimeiBook86

My only concern is if I find a Blu-ray player with analog audio out (on my budget) it may be an older model. Would older models have any trouble playing some of the modern audio codecs / signals used today?

Thanks

They might. The chances of playback issues with newer titles increases the older the player is. Not necessarily with audio but with the copy protection so a disc may not play at all (see xmen days of future past and oppo bd83 threads)

[singhcr]

Originally Posted by LimeiBook86

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

The only Blu-ray players I currently have are the original Playstation 3 and a compact Samsung player (to replace the PS3 which now gets picky about the discs it plays). Not counting the BD-ROM in my PC... which I'm guessing through a special sound card could maybe send analog signals out, but that is probably more trouble than its worth. (Actually... I just realized my old PC tower does have 6 channel analog audio out, I may play with that just to see where it takes me. )

My only concern is if I find a Blu-ray player with analog audio out (on my budget) it may be an older model. Would older models have any trouble playing some of the modern audio codecs / signals used today?

Thanks

Any good Blu-ray player will play back all audio formats. I have a Panasonic DMP-BD55 with 7.1 analog out (also works as 5.1 out) that decodes all formats. I got it in 2009 or so and it works wonderfully.

[LimeiBook86]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I actually setup my old PC (with a BD-ROM drive) and hooked it into the stereo without much trouble. The PC thankfully had surround sound analog audio jacks, my first tests are successful and the setup seems to be working great!

Eventually if I see a 5.1/7.1 analog out BD player on sale I may pick one up. But for now I can play my DVDs and Blu-rays (and LDs) in my make-shift home theater system. Thanks!