Just got the Sony S550

[bluskies]

I will update this as I go along with looking at it. So far, the load times are incredible, much, much faster than the S300, even with the 4.2 update.

PQ for Blus also appears to be on the same excellent level as the S300. And the upconversion of DVDs is the same, it looks like.

Now, I know many are concerned more about the audio. I don't have an up-to-date receiver but I will try to go through individual steps and see what I can find out if somone more knowledgeable here can lead me through the main points you want to know.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by bluskies

Now, I know many are concerned more about the audio. I don't have an up-to-date receiver but I will try to go through individual steps and see what I can find out if somone more knowledgeable here can lead me through the main points you want to know.

Does it have internal decoding?

if so, you can probably connect it via Multichannel Analog to your system.

[sarge1976]

How were you able to get the S550 early ?

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by sarge1976

How were you able to get the S550 early ?

Sonystyle.com. Ordered it Thursday, they shipped it Friday, and it came today.

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Does it have internal decoding?

if so, you can probably connect it via Multichannel Analog to your system.

I have the audio connected through an optical cable to my receiver, which is not a 7.1 receiver.

At the moment, I have the HDMI connected right to the HDTV and when I press audio, it says 3/2.1, though the Blu's cover says it is dts-HD Master Audio 7.1. I may be doing something wrong. Any instructions on how I might see on screen that it is 7.1 decoding or whatever?

[Blu-RayLover]

I too would like to know about the internal decoding. . .DTS HD MA This is perhaps one of the biggest issues about the 550. Most other new players have to have a firmware update, while Sony says the 550 is good-to-go! But then, if you're hooking the player up via HDMI or a standard optical cable, I'll understand, since these two types of cabling are now the standard, while 5.1 or 7.1 analog is becoming a thing of the past. Anyway, I'm looking forward to hear how things work out for you. . .

[sarge1976]

I am so jealous ,That must of been a cool suprise getting the S550 way before Oct 27th,well thats whats been posted here on the boards anyway ,Good for you man,now I think I might just order mine from them also ,I think you may have too many audio connections going on,also you cant get 7.1 out of an optical cable (HDMI or Multich only)

[Blu-RayLover]

Originally Posted by bluskies

I have the audio connected through an optical cable to my receiver, which is not a 7.1 receiver.

At the moment, I have the HDMI connected right to the HDTV and when I press audio, it says 3/2.1, though the Blu's cover says it is dts-HD Master Audio 7.1. I may be doing something wrong. Any instructions on how I might see on screen that it is 7.1 decoding or whatever?

If you are using the Optical, then you're only getting the core or standard Dolby Digital and DTS! In order to utilize the Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA, you need to use the internal decoder thru the analog or the HDMI connected directly to the receiver! This is how all other players work it out. However, the audio menu via the remote control of the player, should allow to display on screen the DTS HD MA. At least, this is how some of the other players do it.

[sarge1976]

plug 6 RCA cables into the S550 and then plug them into your recievers Multichannel input,that should give you HD audio,dont use optical

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by sarge1976

I am so jealous ,That must of been a cool suprise getting the S550 way before Oct 27th,well thats whats been posted here on the boards anyway ,Good for you man,now I think I might just order mine from them also ,I think you may have too many audio connections going on,also you cant get 7.1 out of an optical cable (HDMI or Multich only)

sarge, if you get it from them, apply for their Sony Visa card first and use that to pay for it because you will get a $150 credit back on your bill in about two cycles, they say, bringing the price down to $249. But I am pissed at the credit card issuer because I did mine on Thursday and it was only $100 at the time. I called Sony and they put me in touch with the credit card company (Chase Visa) and the supervisor I spoke to said they would not give me the extra $50 because "that was a different offer." No matter that I told them that it was less than 48 hours since I made the app. I don't know what I was thinking in hoping that a credit card company would have compassion and understanding.

[sarge1976]

Thanks for the heads up bluskies

[mdm1699]

Originally Posted by bluskies

I will update this as I go along with looking at it. So far, the load times are incredible, much, much faster than the S300, even with the 4.2 update.

PQ for Blus also appears to be on the same excellent level as the S300. And the upconversion of DVDs is the same, it looks like.

Now, I know many are concerned more about the audio. I don't have an up-to-date receiver but I will try to go through individual steps and see what I can find out if somone more knowledgeable here can lead me through the main points you want to know.

Great! Teaser thread.

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by Blu-RayLover

If you are using the Optical, then you're only getting the core or standard Dolby Digital and DTS! In order to utilize the Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA, you need to use the internal decoder thru the analog or the HDMI connected directly to the receiver! This is how all other players work it out. However, the audio menu via the remote control of the player, should allow to display on screen the DTS HD MA. At least, this is how some of the other players do it.

I feel like Coach on "Cheers": "You don't have to draw me a picture. Though it helps."

Just think when you are writing about audio to me -- well, imagine the stupidest person you can think of? Got that? Now double that and you have me.

If it helps any, here is what the manual that came with the S550 says regarding "DTS-HD Master Audio":

"When 'BD Audio Setting' is set to 'Direct,' audio recorded by the source is output by bitstream. However, this audio may be output as follows depending on the audio formats supported by the AV amplifier (receiver).
- When the AV amplifier (receiver) does not support HD audio (Dolby Digitial Plus, Dolby TrueHD. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio) but supports Multi-ch LPCM, up to LPCM 7.1 ch is output.
-When the AV amplier (receiver) does not support HD audio or Multi-ch LPCM but supports Dolby Digital/DTS, a Dolby Digital or DTS bitstream is output.
- When the AV amplifier (receiver) does not support HD Audio, Multi-ch LPCM or Dolby Dugital/DTS, LPCM 2ch is output."


Any of that make sense to anybody?

[crackinhedz]

drop the optical and connect the Analog.

[mdm1699]

Originally Posted by bluskies

I feel like Coach on "Cheers": "You don't have to draw me a picture. Though it helps."

Just think when you are writing about audio to me -- well, imagine the stupidest person you can think of? Got that? Now double that and you have me.

If it helps any, here is what the manual that came with the S550 says regarding "DTS-HD Master Audio":

"When 'BD Audio Setting' is set to 'Direct,' audio recorded by the source is output by bitstream. However, this audio may be output as follows depending on the audio formats supported by the AV amplifier (receiver).
- When the AV amplifier (receiver) does not support HD audio (Dolby Digitial Plus, Dolby TrueHD. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio) but supports Multi-ch LPCM, up to LPCM 7.1 ch is output.
-When the AV amplier (receiver) does not support HD audio or Multi-ch LPCM but supports Dolby Digital/DTS, a Dolby Digital or DTS bitstream is output.
- When the AV amplifier (receiver) does not support HD Audio, Multi-ch LPCM or Dolby Dugital/DTS, LPCM 2ch is output."


Any of that make sense to anybody?

That sounds like internal decoding. Did they have to be so friggin vague

[bluskies]

see below

[Blu-RayLover]

Originally Posted by bluskies

I feel like Coach on "Cheers": "You don't have to draw me a picture. Though it helps."

Just think when you are writing about audio to me -- well, imagine the stupidest person you can think of? Got that? Now double that and you have me.

If it helps any, here is what the manual that came with the S550 says regarding "DTS-HD Master Audio":

"When 'BD Audio Setting' is set to 'Direct,' audio recorded by the source is output by bitstream. However, this audio may be output as follows depending on the audio formats supported by the AV amplifier (receiver).
- When the AV amplifier (receiver) does not support HD audio (Dolby Digitial Plus, Dolby TrueHD. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio) but supports Multi-ch LPCM, up to LPCM 7.1 ch is output.
-When the AV amplier (receiver) does not support HD audio or Multi-ch LPCM but supports Dolby Digital/DTS, a Dolby Digital or DTS bitstream is output.
- When the AV amplifier (receiver) does not support HD Audio, Multi-ch LPCM or Dolby Dugital/DTS, LPCM 2ch is output."


Any of that make sense to anybody?

You're doing OK Bluskies, you needed worry so much about those new codecs or whatever else there is to surround sound. All you have to do to get LPCM 7.1, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio is connect the 550 up to your receiver, via the HDMI line or using 6 or 8 RCA analog (standard) cables. Either way you hook it up, you'll get all the processing available that the Blu-ray has to offer. It's really that simple, providing your receiver has HDMI inputs or the analog and offers full processing on the above three HD Surround codecs. But then, if you're satisfied with your current hook up, it's not anything to feel you're not utilizing the system to its total potentail. The bottom line is that you've got what is undoubtedly the best all-around "stand-alone" Blu-ray player for the money, barring none!! This is a player that is going to set a new standard for the format. Have fun and feel confident that you do have the best

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by Blu-RayLover

You're doing OK Bluskies, you needed worry so much about those new codecs or whatever else there is to surround sound. All you have to do to get LPCM 7.1, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio is connect the 550 up to your receiver, via the HDMI line or using 6 or 8 RCA analog (standard) cables. Either way you hook it up, you'll get all the processing available that the Blu-ray has to offer. It's really that simple, providing your receiver has HDMI inputs or the analog and offers full processing on the above three HD Surround codecs. But then, if you're satisfied with your current hook up, it's not anything to feel you're not utilizing the system to its total potentail. The bottom line is that you've got what is undoubtedly the best all-around "stand-alone" Blu-ray player for the money, barring none!! This is a player that is going to set a new standard for the format. Have fun and feel confident that you do have the best

Hey, this might be good news...I tried the first option about setting it to "Direct" and when I press the Audio button on the remote and it says on my TV screen:

English DTS-HD Master Audio 5/2.1 48kHz

[Blu-RayLover]

Originally Posted by bluskies

Hey, this might be good news...I tried the first option and set it to Direct and when I press the Audio button on the remote and it says on my TV screen:

English DTS-HD Master Audio 5/2.1 48kHz

You're On Your Way . . .

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by Blu-RayLover

You're On Your Way . . .

So, does that answer the question on whether it decodes it internally that everybody was wondering about?