Bdp-s550

[EManT2200]

mlWings, I see you state "Dolby dts-HD", I believe there is no such monster. DTS stands for Digital Theatre Systems- High Definition" and of course MA meaning Master Audio, which I do not believe is connected with Dolby Sound. I also e-mailed Crutchfield this morning about the internal decoding issues with the Sony BDP-S550. They e-mailed back to me stating that the info forwarded to them by SONY clearly states that the BDP-S550 does indeed offer internal decoding for BOTH, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD/MA. So, now let's just hope that this is true, once the box hits the shelves , it will certainly tell us on the box what codecs will be decoded internally. Looks like I'll be getting this blu-ray player after all .

[RCO]

Originally Posted by mlwings

"As stated, both the Dolby dts®-HD ( Master Audio and High Resolution Audio ) AND the Dolby TrueHD are internally decoded. The Dolby TrueHD encapsulates a codex as well as the brand name of all Dolby HD audio codex formats, which may be leading to the confusion here. Also, keep in mind that they are only passed on to the audio system if using HDMI output. This shouldn't be too much of an issue, as a Blu-ray Player needs to be using HDMI to provide a true 1080p picture in the first place.

It is to me, I have an old school receiver and was hopeing it would output the new codecs through the analog outputs.

[garak]

Originally Posted by EManT2200

I also e-mailed Crutchfield this morning about the internal decoding issues with the Sony BDP-S550. They e-mailed back to me stating that the info forwarded to them by SONY clearly states that the BDP-S550 does indeed offer internal decoding for BOTH, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD/MA. So, now let's just hope that this is true, once the box hits the shelves , it will certainly tell us on the box what codecs will be decoded internally. Looks like I'll be getting this blu-ray player after all .

I've been waiting for this player since it was announced, but this dts-HD confusion has now got me sitting on the fence.

I'll probably wait until the player is in the wild and someone confirms that it does indeed decode dts-HD.

[aramis109]

A buddy of mine here at work had me help him pick out a standalone and this is the one we picked out. I'm looking forward to people's reactions and a resolution to the DTS-HD decoding question.

Hope it's as good as it looks on paper.

[dragondyn]

"Also, keep in mind that they are only passed on to the audio system if using HDMI output." Can't the 7.1 analog outs on the BDP-S550 pass on those internally decoded audios as well?

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by mlwings

I'm not a expert on this subject but I contacted Sony Support today and received the following response:

"As stated, both the Dolby dts®-HD ( Master Audio and High Resolution Audio ) AND the Dolby TrueHD are internally decoded. The Dolby TrueHD encapsulates a codex as well as the brand name of all Dolby HD audio codex formats, which may be leading to the confusion here. Also, keep in mind that they are only passed on to the audio system if using HDMI output. This shouldn't be too much of an issue, as a Blu-ray Player needs to be using HDMI to provide a true 1080p picture in the first place.

The specs tab does not have them listed, but this is not because they are not available, but because an error was made on the specs page."

If the tech's response is correct, does this alleviate the concerns about decoding DTS-HS master audio?

That email makes no sense. There's such thing as Dolby dts-HD. The term is "codecs" not "codex". The author clearly knows next to nothing about audio. Anyone have any idea what this sentence means: "The Dolby TrueHD encapsulates a codex as well as the brand name of all Dolby HD audio codex formats, which may be leading to the confusion here." ????? That email also suggests that TrueHD requires HDMI and won't be available over analog. If true, that would be a big deal and a huge disappointment for everyone planning to use the player's analog outputs. I'm not sure why the player would even have analog outputs if they can't be used for lossless audio.

Now, it may turn out that the S550 will decode dts-MA when it's released next month. But, that email is hardly comforting.

[johnnyd1]

Originally Posted by BIslander

That email makes no sense. There's such thing as Dolby dts-HD. The term is "codecs" not "codex". The author clearly knows next to nothing about audio. Anyone have any idea what this sentence means: "The Dolby TrueHD encapsulates a codex as well as the brand name of all Dolby HD audio codex formats, which may be leading to the confusion here." ????? That email also suggests that TrueHD requires HDMI and won't be available over analog. If true, that would be a big deal and a huge disappointment for everyone planning to use the player's analog outputs. I'm not sure why the player would even have analog outputs if they can't be used for lossless audio.

Now, it may turn out that the S550 will decode dts-MA when it's released next month. But, that email is hardly comforting.

I agree. Something about that "e-mail" sounds phony.

[Blu-RayLover]

This issue of the DTS HD MA on the 550 is becoming something of a controversy. I spoke to several Sony reps and they have categorically stated the player will be DTS HD MA ready, when released on Oct 27th of this month. At first, it was believed that the internal decoder (like most other new players) would have to be upgraded for DTS Master Audio at a later date. I’m not so sure if I can believe this situation of the 550 being internally ready to decode DTS, since several of the other manufactures are requiring a firmware update for DTS Master Audio. According to the reports I’ve received from DTS, the situation concerns something of a licensing deal that has to be worked out. As of now, this is why there is a bit of skepticism about internal DTS Master Audio decoding on any new player. Truth is that this issue won’t be of any value to any one who is using HDMI through the direct bit stream. But, if the reports about the analog audio side being able to decode DTS Master Audio are true, then this issue will undoubtedly make the Sony 550 the most versatile player (at a reasonable price!) on the market!

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by Blu-RayLover

if the reports about the analog audio side being able to decode DTS Master Audio are true, then this issue will undoubtedly make the Sony 550 the most versatile player (at a reasonable price!) on the market!

The Panasonic BD50 already decodes all and outputs over 5.1 analog. The BD55, due out the same time as the S550, will decode all with 7.1 analog outputs. Are there features on the S550 that will make it more versatile?

[Blu-RayLover]

Originally Posted by BIslander

The Panasonic BD50 already decodes all and outputs over 5.1 analog. The BD55, due out the same time as the S550, will decode all with 7.1 analog outputs. Are there features on the S550 that will make it more versatile?

So far, the specifications on the Panasonic 55 are a bit sketchy or haven’t been made clear enough. Therefore, with the Sony 550 having already been pretty much reviewed, except for the DTS issue, it’s ahead of the game, at least in the publicity (marketing) department. The Panasonic 55 should be the equal of the Sony 550, but there is a growing consensus that the 550 may have a better transport system. Also, the 550 is about the closest “stand-alone” Blu-ray player to the PS3, that many Blu-ray fans insist is the best all around player. The big difference between the 550 and 55 may have more to do with the BD-Live feature, then anything else. In this department, Sony seems to lead, by way of promoting the feature, that has become popular, at least with many gamers and computer users. In the long run, it might just end up being too close to call, when both players can be clearly compared.

[mlwings]

Originally Posted by johnnyd1

I agree. Something about that "e-mail" sounds phony.

The e-mail may be confusing and come from a less than competent Sony support rep but it is not phony.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by Blu-RayLover

So far, the specifications on the Panasonic 55 are a bit sketchy or haven’t been made clear enough.

? The BD55 specs are quite clear, actually. The S550 is the one where we really don't know whether dts-MA decoding will be supported. A couple of reviews came out Thursday on the Panasonic at cnet and Big Picture Big Sound. Both reviewers gave it great marks, especially for DVD playback, which has never been a Panasonic strong suit.

Therefore, with the Sony 550 having already been pretty much reviewed, except for the DTS issue, it’s ahead of the game, at least in the publicity (marketing) department. The Panasonic 55 should be the equal of the Sony 550, but there is a growing consensus that the 550 may have a better transport system. Also, the 550 is about the closest “stand-alone” Blu-ray player to the PS3, that many Blu-ray fans insist is the best all around player. The big difference between the 550 and 55 may have more to do with the BD-Live feature, then anything else. In this department, Sony seems to lead, by way of promoting the feature, that has become popular, at least with many gamers and computer users. In the long run, it might just end up being too close to call, when both players can be clearly compared.

Sorry. I haven't seen any S550 reviews. Are there any out? This sounds like marketing hype. Who's part of that consensus about the transport system and what does that mean? What do you mean when you say it's the closest thing to a PS3? What are the differences in BD-Live functionality? That's a crude feature right now across the board.

I suspect they will both be excellent machines at reasonable prices. I am only engaging in this discussion because you claimed the S550 was somehow better than the BD55, which seems like an unsupportable claim at the moment.

[Mr. Cinema]

I think the S550 will decode DTS HD MA. Otherwise, Sony is charging an extra $100 just for 7.1 analog outs. Does that make any sense?

[EManT2200]

Originally Posted by J6P

The website states that it will bitstream both HD codecs on launch, as well as decoding Dolby TrueHD, with DTS HD to follow with an update.

It looks like they are still making edits to those specs, as the listing only went up a couple of days ago. I won't be surprised if it's edited to decode both codecs before ship date.

The Sony Style site now states in the specifications page of the S-550 "dts-hd decoding : yes". So, is this, or does this, include DTS-HD/MA ?

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema

I think the S550 will decode DTS HD MA. Otherwise, Sony is charging an extra $100 just for 7.1 analog outs. Does that make any sense?

Yes, analog processing justifies the added expense. It's the same with the Panasonic BD35 and BD55. Both will decode dts-MA. The BD55 costs more because of analog.

[EManT2200]

Originally Posted by EManT2200

The Sony Style site now states in the specifications page of the S-550 "dts-hd decoding : yes". So, is this, or does this, include DTS-HD/MA ?

Well, two websites claim that the Sony BDP-S550 will perform internal decoding for DTS-HD/MA. Those websites are Crutchfield and Amazon. Internal decoding is important to me because I own the Sony STR-DG1000 home theatre receiver. While it is a great receiver, it does not have decoding capabilities for Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD/MA. Although it does have 7.1 analog inputs. Still, Sony has to know about the confusion over this, why don't those idiots just answer the question and get it over with. The fact that there are two post claiming contacts with Sony, one saying that a Sony rep said, yes it will have internal decoding for DTS-HD/MA, and then another Sony rep saying, No, it won't, don't help matters any, WHAT THE HELL ? ? ?

[callas01]

I posted a thread to end all questions regarding it internal decoding, but here you go again.

straight from the manual.

When "BD Audio Setting" is set to "Direct" audio is recorded by the source is output by bitstream. However this audio may be output as follows depending on the audio formats suppoerted by the AVR.
When the AVR doesn't support DD+, DDTHD, DTS HR and DTS HD MA but does support Multi-channel LPCM, up to LPCM 7.1 is output.


So to answer all questions regarding what it decodes, there you go, yes it decodes all the HD audio codecs.

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by EManT2200

Well, two websites claim that the Sony BDP-S550 will perform internal decoding for DTS-HD/MA. Those websites are Crutchfield and Amazon. Internal decoding is important to me because I own the Sony STR-DG1000 home theatre receiver. While it is a great receiver, it does not have decoding capabilities for Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD/MA. Although it does have 7.1 analog inputs. Still, Sony has to know about the confusion over this, why don't those idiots just answer the question and get it over with. The fact that there are two post claiming contacts with Sony, one saying that a Sony rep said, yes it will have internal decoding for DTS-HD/MA, and then another Sony rep saying, No, it won't, don't help matters any, WHAT THE HELL ? ? ?

Rep basically don't know anything other than the list of Q&A they have in their DB. Since most manual are badly translated from Japanese, it gives you that.

[gekke henkie]

Originally Posted by callas01

I posted a thread to end all questions regarding it internal decoding, but here you go again.

straight from the manual.

When "BD Audio Setting" is set to "Direct" audio is recorded by the source is output by bitstream. However this audio may be output as follows depending on the audio formats suppoerted by the AVR.
When the AVR doesn't support DD+, DDTHD, DTS HR and DTS HD MA but does support Multi-channel LPCM, up to LPCM 7.1 is output.

So to answer all questions regarding what it decodes, there you go, yes it decodes all the HD audio codecs.

No, the way I read this, you're conclusion takes a short-cut.
The manual says "up to(!) LPCM 7.1 is output", which probably is the case with a DDTHD 7.1 track, for instance. It does NOT say that it will output LPCM 7.1 with EVERY 7.1 track like with DTS-HD-MA. In this case, it might just well be outputting LPCM from the core 5.1 DTS-HD-HR. If that would be true, then their manual is still correct (but really confusing).

Here is a quote from post #165 from the 550-review thread:
"Golden Compass and Rambo both seem to only output the core DTS 5.1 as LPCM when hooked up via HDMI to my STR-DA5300es.

Hitting the display button on the S550 shows DTS 3/2.1 48kH/z on both titles.
Switching the "BD Audio" option from the default "mix" to "direct" to force bitstreaming, it sends bitstreamed DTS-HD MA 3/4.1 to my 5300ES, the receivers display properly shows DTS_HD MA all the 7/1 speakers light up.
Punching the display button on the S550 shows DTS-HD Master Audio 3/4.1 48kHz.

Based on that, I can only assume that it isn't handling internally decoding DTS-HD MA properly...
"

So, we still are far from confirming it sends 7.1 LPCM over HDMI (including handshake) when feeded a 7.1 DTS-HD-MA signal. I think that Sony changed their website for a reason...

[grod777]

Originally Posted by gekke henkie

No, the way I read this, you're conclusion takes a short-cut.
The manual says "up to(!) LPCM 7.1 is output", which probably is the case with a DDTHD 7.1 track, for instance. It does NOT say that it will output LPCM 7.1 with EVERY 7.1 track like with DTS-HD-MA. In this case, it might just well be outputting LPCM from the core 5.1 DTS-HD-HR. If that would be true, then their manual is still correct (but really confusing).

Here is a quote from post #165 from the 550-review thread:
"Golden Compass and Rambo both seem to only output the core DTS 5.1 as LPCM when hooked up via HDMI to my STR-DA5300es.

Hitting the display button on the S550 shows DTS 3/2.1 48kH/z on both titles.
Switching the "BD Audio" option from the default "mix" to "direct" to force bitstreaming, it sends bitstreamed DTS-HD MA 3/4.1 to my 5300ES, the receivers display properly shows DTS_HD MA all the 7/1 speakers light up.
Punching the display button on the S550 shows DTS-HD Master Audio 3/4.1 48kHz.

Based on that, I can only assume that it isn't handling internally decoding DTS-HD MA properly...
"

So, we still are far from confirming it sends 7.1 LPCM over HDMI (including handshake) when feeded a 7.1 DTS-HD-MA signal. I think that Sony changed their website for a reason...

If you have it set to MIX then it is working correctly. According to a DTS brochure direct from DTS when you are mixing secondary audio it will only output 5.1 even it the disc is 7.1 channels. If you change it to direct it will output all 7.1 channels. So this is not a defect in the player. DTS call it DTS Express.