newbie Blu-ray audio decoding question

[blurry]

My wonderfull wife spilled the beans and let me know she got a blue ray player. It's a Sony BDP-BX1 (http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/BDPBX1_mksp.pdf).

Now the question - This player does not have an audio decoder in it. How is this going to affect audio with my receiver? The receiver is a Marantz SR7300OSE (http://us.marantz.com/c_sr7300ose.pdf) it does NOT have HDMI, but it does have DTS-ES decoding.

Would an internal decoder be of benefit for me? Can the coaxial audio or optical even handle the new audio standards?

please help!

thanks!

[JasonR]

Coax and optical can't pass HD audio. Do you have analog inputs on your receiver? If so, you can get HD audio but will need a different player.

[blurry]

yes, the receiver has 7.1 inputs (individual coax). I'm running 5 speakers + a sub (alright, maybe I'm behind the times!)

Are there any players that have individual outputs?

[JasonR]

Yes! I think the Sony BDP-S550 or the Panasonic DMP-BD55 would be your best bets. Each one can decode and send all of the HD audio over analog outputs.

[blurry]

Got it! So let's say I put the player upstairs in the living room (just using tv speakers right now) - will the lack of a converter hurt me if I get an inexpensive surround system?

[Eldorado]

You are denying yourself of the full experience unless you get a good receiver capable of decoding uncompressed audio.

[crackinhedz]

instead of trying to buy another player...keep the BDP-X1 (which is the S350)...just invest in a new HDMI receiver.