Audio Decoding

[twssas]

Have tried to do a search on this, but really found nothing to this point......

my question.....

given the fact that sometime this summer new bluray players are being released that will internally decode all the new HD sound codes, is it preferable to have the player do the decoding......or the HDMI reciever do the decoding, with recieving only bitstream data from the player?

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by twssas

Have tried to do a search on this, but really found nothing to this point......

my question.....

given the fact that sometime this summer new bluray players are being released that will internally decode all the new HD sound codes, is it preferable to have the player do the decoding......or the HDMI reciever do the decoding, with recieving only bitstream data from the player?

My Panny DB30 player decodes bitstream out to my Onkyo 805 receiver. Amazing sound!

[twssas]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

My Panny DB30 player decodes bitstream out to my Onkyo 805 receiver. Amazing sound!

Do you use a single HDMI cable from your Panny to the receiver?

[twssas]

Originally Posted by KingLeerUK

This will all depend on the quality of the decoder in either component. If one is better than the other, the choice becomes easier to make, with one caveat...

If you choose to do your decoding within a player, you must make sure that the player has analogue audio outputs sufficient for your purposes. For example, the Samsung BD-P1400 has the capability to internally decode Dolby TrueHD, but it is physically limited to an analogue 5.1 output capability. There are players with 7.1 analogue output capability, the hybrid Samsung BD-UP5000 (which I researched pretty heavily) has 7.1 analogue outs.

Personally I find it much more convenient to have the receiver do the decoding because the connection between player and receiver is much more simplified; a single HDMI cable. Add to this the ability to do all post-processing in the digital domain without having to do another analog/digital conversion.

I think I may be leaning to a receiver to do all the "work", and may look then at the Panny BD30, or wait until the new Sony350 comes out. Perhaps save some money on the player.....and my receiver is in need of an upgrade as well...(yamaha HTR5750)

Thanks for the information.

[crackinhedz]

If you choose to do your decoding within a player, you must make sure that the player has analogue audio outputs sufficient for your purposes. For example, the Samsung BD-P1400 has the capability to internally decode Dolby TrueHD, but it is physically limited to an analogue 5.1 output capability.

this is not correct...Internal decoding can and does get sent out over the HDMI cable. PS3 exact same over HDMI as well as any player with internal decoding. It can be output through multichannel analog or an HDMI cable.

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by twssas

Do you use a single HDMI cable from your Panny to the receiver?

Yes.

[twssas]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

My Panny DB30 player decodes bitstream out to my Onkyo 805 receiver. Amazing sound!

Thanks for the information. I was thinking of waiting for the Sony's to come out.....but the BD30's appear to give all the bitstream info needed to the appropriate receiver..........Maybe time to watch closely for a sale on the BD30's, since the BD50's are rumored to be arriving relatively soon.......

My wife will love all of this.........

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by twssas

Thanks for the information. I was thinking of waiting for the Sony's to come out.....but the BD30's appear to give all the bitstream info needed to the appropriate receiver..........Maybe time to watch closely for a sale on the BD30's, since the BD50's are rumored to be arriving relatively soon.......

My wife will love all of this.........

After the BD 50 is released, there is a very good chance that you will see some good price drops on the BD 30.

[RBFC]

From what I understand, the Picture-in-picture function and other special dual-track features will only work when decoding is performed in the player. This may not be a deal breaker if those "extras" aren't important to you.

Lee