Should I buy a new reciever to be able to decode my Panasonic BD55?

[fernicus]

a newbie at this so be gentle...
I have an older Harmon Kardon Avr 520 which is rusty but still great. I went to a boxstore and bought a Panasonic BD35? I believe, bluray but now not sure if I should upgrade my reciever to the newer AVR 520 to get TrueHD and other goodies such as IPOD direct input, more power, 7.1, etc.
Is all this upgrading worth it to a tune of $550 more or just use old reliable Harmon Kardon reciever?
The old one could use an upgrading because I am the 2nd owner but still runs fine.
(sorry, mine is the bd35 not 55 as in title)

[Rob J in WNY]

My receiver is going on eight years old (see gallery), and as solid as the day it came out of the box. I am most definitely in the market for a new Sony STR-DG920 receiver, though. My current receiver is the Sony STR-DE845, and it is optically connected to my BD player (Sony BDP-S350). I can enjoy 5.1 surround under all the DD and DTS codecs ("core only" with the newer DD TrueHD and DTS HD-MA tracks), but uncompressed PCM is downmixed to 2 channel stereo (thank goodness that there's typically, at minimum, a standard DD option on BDs). I'm really excited to get into full usage of lossless audio, but optical/coaxial connections are not provisioned for the bandwidth needed, and eight years ago, when I got my current receiver, DTS was just getting into the mainstream. I'm thankful that I spent the extra bones back then, because it still pays off for me know in terms of having a wider audio compatability, albeit backward compatability.

If you are like me, you'll be able to wait a little while longer, because prices will probably get a little lower in the coming weeks/months, and you are probably enjoying pretty good 5.1 sound now (assuming that your new BD player's audio is connected digitally to your current receiver).

Upgrading will mean that you can use HDMI for all audio/video interconnects, which can simplify your setup, and, of course, you'll be ready for 7.1 channel audio.

I suppose it really stands on how much you enjoy your current setup, which I get the feeling that you do a lot. I'm sure better advice than my own is forthcoming, but I hope that this provided some insight for you.

- Rob J

[ixlegitballinxl]

most would agree, part of enjoying blu ray is the audio... Not sure if your bd player can decode > send out analog.. but if not, then YES, upgrade

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

If your receiver has 5.1 or 7.1 anolog audio in's, use those and you've got lossless audio. If it doesn't, you need a new receiver.

[aramis109]

Panny BD35 apparently only has 2.0 analog outs, which... kinda stinks. (Though my PS3 has none... so there ya go). Basically you have 3 options:

1. Live with lossy audio. 5.1 DD and DTS are encoded at a higher bitrate than dvd, so you're still getting some advantage aurally vs. DVD.

2. Buy a new receiver. This will run you approximately $250 and up, with the sky being the limit depending on what you want and what you're willing to spend.

3. Return your player. You could return your player and get one that has 5.1 or 7.1 analog out, such as the Sony BDP-S550. You would then run the analog connections to your receiver.

In my mind, option 3 is the best as it requires the least investment while still gaining lossless, but it may be something that's not feasible to you. Panny makes good players, so don't think that I'm knocking them, it's just that particular model doesn't have great analog outs.

[fernicus]

hi
are you sure the BD35 doesn't internally decode thereby bypassing the need for the reciever to have this function? I've read the Panny is the most feature laden model on the market. Am I incorrect and will that be a significant difference in both video and audio through my Sharp Acquos tv?

thanks

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by fernicus

hi
are you sure the BD35 doesn't internally decode thereby bypassing the need for the reciever to have this function? I've read the Panny is the most feature laden model on the market. Am I incorrect and will that be a significant difference in both video and audio through my Sharp Acquos tv?

thanks

You can see the Panny's specs here.

It's not that it doesn't internally decode (which is a different matter). It's that it "only" has 2.0 analog outs. This is normally not a big issue but in your case it is if you want true 5.1/7.1 lossless audio with your current receiver.

Internal decoding still has to be played back via a receiver. Alternatively it can be passed to the HDTV but then of course you're only using the HDTV speakers. In that case, there will not be much of an improvement in audio vs. cable broadcasts.

*edit* I just checked the manual on your receiver to make sure it does have analog inputs, which it does (5.1). I would recommend exchanging your player. The Panny BD55 does have 7.1 analog outs, so it'd be exactly what you need plus you'd keep all the features your current player has.

[fernicus]

Thanks, Aramis,
that info is great - i broke down and bought a Harmon Kardon AVR254 which has the inputs and can decode! love this new one but hate to give the boxstores more $$ than they should be getting.
hmmmm, maybe I should just exchange the Panny to the stepup or keep the reciever??
damn, I love my toys.... btw, the new reciever is $550cdn.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by fernicus

Thanks, Aramis,
that info is great - i broke down and bought a Harmon Kardon AVR254 which has the inputs and can decode! love this new one but hate to give the boxstores more $$ than they should be getting.
hmmmm, maybe I should just exchange the Panny to the stepup or keep the reciever??
damn, I love my toys.... btw, the new reciever is $550cdn.

Either way you go, you'll be set. Some people feel that there are a few issues with outputting via analog- it seems that sometimes the sub is not getting the proper +10db bump that you get normally, and as a result seems very low or quiet. I can't comment on it as I have never tried it myself. If you have the money, the new receiver is the BEST choice in my opinion, but of course if we all had a million dollars life would be easier.

[CptGreedle]

$550 is not a bad price. I spent $700 and don't regret it at all. Go for it. If you don't like it, you have 30 days to return it.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

1- the bd-55 HAS 7.1 anolog out's

2- the bd-55 does 7.1 lossless decoding

So refer to MY previous post #4 and your done! If your receiver has 5.1 or 7.1 anolog in's you CAN get lossless audio by having your bd-55 decode and send it through the anolog cable to the receiver.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_Fan

1- the bd-55 HAS 7.1 anolog out's

2- the bd-55 does 7.1 lossless decoding

So refer to MY previous post #4 and your done! If your receiver has 5.1 or 7.1 anolog in's you CAN get lossless audio by having your bd-55 decode and send it through the anolog cable to the receiver.

1. Refer to his FIRST post where he mentions that he has the bd35 and not the bd55. He made an error in the description.

2. The bd35 doesn't have 7.1 analog outs. It has 2.0 according to the site, which is what we've been discussing.

[fernicus]

yes, correct - I have the BD35 - my bad - so I imagine I have to buy the one up or get the reciever which I'm leaning towards.
I'll check out the unit setup and as Aramis said, I'll return if I don't like and prefer my old faithful.
Perhaps that's best.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Originally Posted by aramis109

1. Refer to his FIRST post where he mentions that he has the bd35 and not the bd55. He made an error in the description.

2. The bd35 doesn't have 7.1 analog outs. It has 2.0 according to the site, which is what we've been discussing.

He editited it after my first post. How would I know he didn't know what he had

[fernicus]

so, it is extremely important to have the analog outs on the player or not?
if not, then I'll keep the new player AND reciever. Merry Xmas to me, merry xmas to me..... Voila!

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by fernicus

so, it is extremely important to have the analog outs on the player or not?
if not, then I'll keep the new player AND reciever. Merry Xmas to me, merry xmas to me..... Voila!

It's only important if your receiver doesn't have audio-capable HDMI inputs and dts-ma/TrueHD decoding.

If your receiver does all the decoding then analog outputs are irrelevant.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

It's only important if your receiver doesn't have audio-capable HDMI inputs and dts-ma/TrueHD decoding.

If your receiver does all the decoding then analog outputs are irrelevant.

Which is why I recommended EITHER changing the player (to one that had more analog outs for your current receiver) OR changing the receiver (in which case you'll use HDMI and have no need of the 2.0 analog outs).

However, I'll add one caveat to dobyblue's post (I'm scared- he knows a ton more than I do on this stuff! ) it does you no good if your receiver isn't an HDMI-capable receiver.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Originally Posted by aramis109

However, I'll add one caveat to dobyblue's post (I'm scared- he knows a ton more than I do on this stuff! ) it does you no good if your receiver isn't an HDMI-capable receiver.

Originally Posted by dobyblue

It's only important if your receiver doesn't have audio-capable HDMI inputs and dts-ma/TrueHD decoding.

Basically said the same thing in different ways.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by aramis109

3. Return your player. You could return your player and get one that has 5.1 or 7.1 analog out, such as the Sony BDP-S550. You would then run the analog connections to your receiver.

In my mind, option 3 is the best as it requires the least investment while still gaining lossless, but it may be something that's not feasible to you. Panny makes good players, so don't think that I'm knocking them, it's just that particular model doesn't have great analog outs.

If that's the case, I would go for the Panny 55

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_Fan

Basically said the same thing in different ways.

Hah, you're right. I read that wrong. LOL.