HDMI vs Optical

[finster1018]

I am a first time poster so please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong place.

I just got my new BDP-550 and hooked it up. I am connecting it to my Sony ES4300 AV Receiver. I want to know if there is an advantage to piping audio through the HDMI cable vs optical audio out connection. Also, how can enjoy 7.1 surround sound? Not sure what settings I should have since there is a ton of material for my receiver.

Many thanks!

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by finster1018

I am a first time poster so please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong place.

I just got my new BDP-550 and hooked it up. I am connecting it to my Sony ES4300 AV Receiver. I want to know if there is an advantage to piping audio through the HDMI cable vs optical audio out connection. Also, how can enjoy 7.1 surround sound? Not sure what settings I should have since there is a ton of material for my receiver.

Many thanks!

Do you have a 7.1 set up

[zanderol24]

hi def codecs are not supported via optical

true hd

dts hd etc

[DiverSpear]

HDMI is the only way you can get the HD 7.1 audio from Blu-ray. Optical will only give the lossey core. Set your receiver to GUI mode and run the calibration with the supplied mic. You can then tweak the EQ settings if you desire. If you speakers are capable of going below 40HZ then set them to large, otherwise set them to small and adjust the crossover to 80HZ. That should get you started.

[finster1018]

thanks Diver...so my source the BDP S550 supports the advanced codex like DTS HD MA and Dolby True HD. What setting do I use on my 4300ES to experience that? Do I want to output analog or digital? I am not very sure how to get the 2 units synched to take advantage of these codecs.

Many thanks!!!

[rev.and.ride]

Good points on the advantages of HDMI. However, I also burn CDs from the the sound running through my receiver (usually live music from DirecTV) and the optical cable is really useful for things like this.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by DiverSpear

HDMI is the only way you can get the HD 7.1 audio from Blu-ray. Optical will only give the lossey core. Set your receiver to GUI mode and run the calibration with the supplied mic. You can then tweak the EQ settings if you desire. If you speakers are capable of going below 40HZ then set them to large, otherwise set them to small and adjust the crossover to 80HZ. That should get you started.

Not entirely correct. If you have 5.1/7.1 pre-outs on your BD player (which you do) and the same inputs on your receiver, you can decode the HD audio codecs in your BD player and send them via PCM/analog pre-out to your receiver. Not sure about what your receiver is capable of handling, but to summarize:

1) HDMI audio to receiver, BD player to bitstream (if your receiver can decode HD audio codecs)

2) HDMI audio to receiver, BD player set to PCM (BD player will decode HD audio codecs and send to receiver, though receiver must be capable of receiving audio via HDMI)

3) 5.1/7.1 analog pre-out connection from BD player to receiver (assuming receiver has inputs). Set BD player to internally decode HD audio and send PCM.

4) Optical/Toslink from BD player to receiver. Set BD player to bitstream (you will only get the lossy DD/DTS audio)

EDIT: Do you mean the Sony STR-DA4300ES? If so, just do option 1 above. Bitstream to the receiver and let it decode for you (via HDMI). This would be the simplest, and you'll get to see the HD audio lights/indicators on your receiver.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by finster1018

I am a first time poster so please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong place.

I just got my new BDP-550 and hooked it up. I am connecting it to my Sony ES4300 AV Receiver. I want to know if there is an advantage to piping audio through the HDMI cable vs optical audio out connection. Also, how can enjoy 7.1 surround sound? Not sure what settings I should have since there is a ton of material for my receiver.

Many thanks!

I believe you will benefit from reading A Guide to Home Theater Audio Codecs. The connections you need for audio codecs is explained there. Since both your blu-ray player and receiver have HDMI connection, you should use that. Leave your optical input on your receiver for other components such as a CD or DVD recorder/player.

[finster1018]

yes, it is the Sony STR-DA4300ES. I'll try option 1 and see where that gets me. Thanks for the help...and also thanks for that link Big Daddy!

[Ectoplasm]

I look forward to replacing my PS3 with a 7.1 out Blu-ray player that decodes the codecs. My Marantz receiver won't send an HDMI signal (matrix it?) to any other than the speakers the HDMI is sending to. So, if I want to listen to music using HDMI, I am forced to listen in 2-channel only (SACD being the exception). If I send audio via optical, my Marantz receiver will indeed matrix the sound to all speakers, and I can add effects.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by finster1018

yes, it is the Sony STR-DA4300ES.

set BD player to Bitstream, turn secondary audio off.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

3) 5.1/7.1 analog pre-out connection from BD player to receiver (assuming receiver has inputs). Set BD player to internally decode HD audio and send PCM.

Just want to clarify your statement which is correct but would like to add more where you left off to avoid confusing anyone who is just getting started. Most of us do know what you mean though.

Your statement as is reads like PCM is being sent over the analog connections. PCM is digital not analog and so it can't be sent through the analog outputs. It must first be converted to analog and then sent to the AVR's 5.1 to 7.1 analog inputs. The player uses built in DACs (digital to analog converters) to do that. Thus it isn't really sending PCM. However the audio was PCM before going to the DACs.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

Just want to clarify your statement which is correct but would like to add more where you left off to avoid confusing anyone who is just getting started. Most of us do know what you mean though.

Your statement as is reads like PCM is being sent over the analog connections. PCM is digital not analog and so it can't be sent through the analog outputs. It must first be converted to analog and then sent to the AVR's 5.1 to 7.1 analog inputs. The player uses built in DACs (digital to analog converters) to do that. Thus it isn't really sending PCM. However the audio was PCM before going to the DACs.

Correct. Thanks for the clarification. That's what I get for quickly posting something before running out the door!

[finster1018]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Not entirely correct. If you have 5.1/7.1 pre-outs on your BD player (which you do) and the same inputs on your receiver, you can decode the HD audio codecs in your BD player and send them via PCM/analog pre-out to your receiver. Not sure about what your receiver is capable of handling, but to summarize:

1) HDMI audio to receiver, BD player to bitstream (if your receiver can decode HD audio codecs)

2) HDMI audio to receiver, BD player set to PCM (BD player will decode HD audio codecs and send to receiver, though receiver must be capable of receiving audio via HDMI)

3) 5.1/7.1 analog pre-out connection from BD player to receiver (assuming receiver has inputs). Set BD player to internally decode HD audio and send PCM.

4) Optical/Toslink from BD player to receiver. Set BD player to bitstream (you will only get the lossy DD/DTS audio)

EDIT: Do you mean the Sony STR-DA4300ES? If so, just do option 1 above. Bitstream to the receiver and let it decode for you (via HDMI). This would be the simplest, and you'll get to see the HD audio lights/indicators on your receiver.

not seeing an option in the BDP-S550 setup menus to switch to bitstream. Can anyone clarify?

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by finster1018

not seeing an option in the BDP-S550 setup menus to switch to bitstream. Can anyone clarify?

Change BD audio from mix to direct.

[finster1018]

thanks...but how do I know that my receiver is indeed outputting 7.1? Again I have the Sony 4300ES. Or does my BDP-S550 output some message that it is putting out 7.1 sound?

[JasonR]

On the receiver display it should show 7.1 speakers being lit up and say the codec. If you hit display on your S550 remote, you can see it onscreen. I would double check on the receiver though.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by JasonR

On the receiver display it should show 7.1 speakers being lit up and say the codec. If you hit display on your S550 remote, you can see it onscreen. I would double check on the receiver though.

[finster1018]

I wasn't looking at those...I was looking at the LCD display...many thanks!!!

[DiverSpear]

Ricshoe,

My statement was based on what his equipment is. With the 550 and 4300ES I wouldn't even consider analog or optical.