HDMI receiver inputs...needed?

[RPinney]

I was wondering, I am a complete audio noob, do I need HDMI input on my receiver in order to connect my HDMI devices (blu-ray, xbox) to my home theater system? Basically I just want to make sure I purchase the right thing. I want to be sure all of my devices will work with my home theater system.

Or, is there another way to connect them while still maintaining the new HD sound codecs?

Thanks!

[progers13]

Originally Posted by RPinney

I was wondering, I am a complete audio noob, do I need HDMI input on my receiver in order to connect my HDMI devices (blu-ray, xbox) to my home theater system? Basically I just want to make sure I purchase the right thing. I want to be sure all of my devices will work with my home theater system.

Or, is there another way to connect them while still maintaining the new HD sound codecs?

Thanks!

Nope. In order to utilize TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, or Uncompressed PCM you will need to run HDMI to your AVR. If you use the optical or coax cables the best you can get is the lossy core signal.

Edit: You can also use multi-channel outs on your Blu-ray player (if it has them) to the multi-channel ins on the AVR (also if it has them).

[RPinney]

As a follow up to that question...are there any Panasonic home theater systems that are able to take advantage of this?

I want to be able to utilize TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, Uncompressed PCM while maintaining a single remote (which is why I need to go panasonic)

I tried researching but I have no idea what to look for in the specs.


also....must the receiver pass the audio through the HDMI cable? I've read about problems where certain receivers don't pass audio through HDMI, but I'm not really sure if that means the TrueHD codecs would be unusable.


by the way... Thanks!!!

[progers13]

Originally Posted by RPinney

As a follow up to that question...are there any Panasonic home theater systems that are able to take advantage of this?

I want to be able to utilize TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, Uncompressed PCM while maintaining a single remote (which is why I need to go panasonic)

I tried researching but I have no idea what to look for in the specs.


by the way... Thanks!!!

I'm not familiar with Panasonic, but I'll be more than happy to take a look for you. What's your price range? Do you have a preference for setup, such as 5.1 or 7.1? Note: I always recommend purchasing a 7.1 AVR even if you have no immediate plans for it. You don't want to be short-sighted and limit your possiblities down the road.

Also, have you thought about getting a good universal remote to expand your possibilities beyond Panasonic?

Edit: According to Panasonic's web site, I can only find 1 stand alone AVR. It is model number SA-BX500. This receiver has 3 HDMI inputs, 7.1 setup, and can decode the HD audio formats (TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, and Uncompressed PCM). It is also quite pricey at $799.95 (although you could likely find it elsewhere for much less).

With regard to passthrough, you want your Blu-ray player to transmit the audio through the HDMI signal (either bitstream or PCM will work with this receiver). I'm not certain if the receiver will then pass the audio signal on to the TV, but do you need to use the TV's speakers when you're setting up a new AVR and home theater?

[RPinney]

Originally Posted by progers13

I'm not familiar with Panasonic, but I'll be more than happy to take a look for you. What's your price range? Do you have a preference for setup, such as 5.1 or 7.1? Note: I always recommend purchasing a 7.1 AVR even if you have no immediate plans for it. You don't want to be short-sighted and limit your possiblities down the road.

Also, have you thought about getting a good universal remote to expand your possibilities beyond Panasonic?

My budget is at the very maximum $400 (no blu-ray) or $550 (with blu-ray)

I am open to a universal remote...as long as I just have to use 1 remote for all my devices. I can handle multiple remotes...but nobody else in my house would be able to so that's kind of important.

On the whole 5.1/7.1 thing it really doesn't matter to me. Whichever is the system is the best "bang for your buck" is fine with me. Considering most blu-ray systems are 7.1, it's definitely not out of the picture.

[RPinney]

Still...I'd rather go Panasonic because I've used viera link (panasonic built in menu) and if your components are viera link capable it is extremely easy to navigate between your home theater components, which is what my family needs. Unfortunately, my family needs that, while I need trueHD. Quite the dilemma.


EDIT:

Just found this from amazon:
"As of 2008, Viera Link is compatible with Onkyo and Yamaha home theater systems."

awesome!!

[progers13]

Originally Posted by RPinney

Still...I'd rather go Panasonic because I've used viera link (panasonic built in menu) and if your components are viera link capable it is extremely easy to navigate between your home theater components, which is what my family needs. Unfortunately, my family needs that, while I need trueHD. Quite the dilemma.

Another thought...do you currently have a home theater setup and speakers you can use, or are you looking for a HTiB?

[RPinney]

I'm looking for a HTiB. All I have some white-van-scam speakers my dad gave to me lol. Sadly, he was a victim of the white van scam.

but keep in mind I just read that onkyo and yamaha can both use viera link also


edit: Now I am reading that all HDMI devices should work with viera link....interesting

So basically, it's come down to all I need is a HTiB with TrueHD capabilities

Also, I would prefer the one with the front speakers that stand on their own (kinda boxy, tall looking speakers)


ok im done editing...thats 3 edits now

[progers13]

Originally Posted by RPinney

I'm looking for a HTiB. All I have some white-van-scam speakers my dad gave to me lol. Sadly, he was a victim of the white van scam.

Ahhh...that changes everything. Well, I can certainly appreciate operating within a budget, but HTiB will limit your options a bit. I would need to research it, but my understanding from other posts is that most HTiB receivers will not support what you are looking for (such is the nature of many threads and complaints I've read). Any chance you can purchase a good receiver now along with some lesser speakers? You can always upgrade the speakers down the road when the budget allows. I'd hate to see you ALSO need to upgrade your AVR (it is the backbone of your home theater setup). Again, I'm preaching against short-sightedness...

Edit: See Beta Man's reply on your other post. His sentiment seems to be well shared here. Some would say rightfully so as it pertains to HTiB's.

[RPinney]

How about we start over

If I hook up this blu-ray player:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882103416

to this receiver:
ANY RECEIVER WITH HDMI INPUTS


Will I be able to get - DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus

It says right on the blu-ray player's description:
"With the integrated DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus decoders, enjoy powerful and immersive surround sound like it was meant to be."

Since the player is doing the decoding...I won't need a receiver that has those capabilities...correct?

Does the receiver, however, need to pass audio through the HDMI cord? I've read only high end receivers pass audio through HDMI...

[BIslander]

A universal remote like a Harmony will solve your family issues. Our system has lots of equipment and several switches to share inputs and everyone can run it easily with a single Harmony remote. But, you're looking at $80-100, which would be a problem with your budget.

I'd suggest building your system slowly, adding pieces as you can afford them, rather than settling for an HTIB that can never be upgraded.

When it comes to HDMI and inexpensive receivers, make sure the AVR does more than "pass through". It needs to process audio over HDMI, not just pass it through to your TV.

[RPinney]

Originally Posted by BIslander

When it comes to HDMI and inexpensive receivers, make sure the AVR does more than "pass through". It needs to process audio over HDMI, not just pass it through to your TV.

This might sound dumb...why does it have to process it?

The receiver is sending out the audio to the audio components, not the tv, no? I don't see why it needs to pass the audio through to the tv at all.

And since the blu ray player would be doing the decoding, I shouldnt have to worry about a receiver that handles that stuff right? What connections do I need in order to get TrueHD? (ie something like this?: hdmi from blu-ray to receiver input, hdmi from receiver output to tv. receiver must have hdmi over audio)

[progers13]

Originally Posted by RPinney

This might sound dumb...why does it have to process it?

The receiver is sending out the audio to the audio components, not the tv, no? I don't see why it needs to pass the audio through to the tv at all.

This is what BIslander is saying (and I also mentioned it in an earlier post). You want the AVR to be able to decode, even if you allow the Blu-ray player to do the decoding. If you're setting up a home theater, why would you want the audio sent to the TV? You want it to play through the AVR. As I understand "passthrough," it means the AVR passes the signal through to the TV (think of it as an HDMI switcher without decoding the audio). BIslander is saying the same thing you are - you want an AVR that does the decoding, not simply passing it through.

[RPinney]

Originally Posted by progers13

This is what BIslander is saying (and I also mentioned it in an earlier post). You want the AVR to be able to decode, even if you allow the Blu-ray player to do the decoding.

Why? If I can save a couple hundred on a receiver that doesn't do decoding, it won't matter as long as the blu-ray player does it....correct?

[Chordata]

OP, I use the multichannel analog to enjoy True HD, etc. I just run the appropriate cords from my BD player to my AVR, and the sound is incredible.

[RPinney]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

OP, I use the multichannel analog to enjoy True HD, etc. I just run the appropriate cords from my BD player to my AVR, and the sound is incredible.

I dont even know what that is

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by RPinney

I dont even know what that is

LOL, no problem. It's referenced in the very first reply to your question. Multichannel is what the name implies: there's essentially (depending on your setup) 6 outputs from your BD player (one for front right, one for front left, one for center, one for rear right, one for rear left, one for subwoofer). You then connect them to the respective multichannel inputs on your AVR, do your settings correctly, and get TrueHD, etc.

It seems like not too many BD players have the multichannel out these days. The Sony s550 is one of them, but it's been retired I think. If your AVR has multichannel in, it is a good way to go.

It prevented me from having to upgrade my AVR right now.

Originally Posted by RPinney

Why? If I can save a couple hundred on a receiver that doesn't do decoding, it won't matter as long as the blu-ray player does it....correct?

Correct. My 10-year old AVR doesn't decode squat. My player does. I set up the proper settings, and it works like a gem.

[progers13]

Originally Posted by RPinney

Why? If I can save a couple hundred on a receiver that doesn't do decoding, it won't matter as long as the blu-ray player does it....correct?

Here I go on my short-sighted kick again. All we're doing here is trying to prevent you from making a mistake that you might regret in a few months by giving you all the information up front. Many people buy HTiB's, and many of them turn around months or a year later and buy a new receiver and speakers because the HTiB couldn't offer them things they wanted. So yes, you could save a couple hundred bucks now, but what is that worth to you a year from now if you find yourself buying a new receiver? The choice is yours, of course, but we are trying to give you opinions and views from ourselves and others who have fallen into these pitfalls. I'm a firm believer (both in my personal and professional lives), that if you're going to do something, do it right the first time. But that's just me and buying an AVR that can do the decoding may not be worth it to you. Anyway, it's your decision to make. Good luck.

[Chordata]

That's good advice above, but just remember OP: you do not HAVE to get an AVR that internally decodes if your BD player encodes. You might WANT one (to, for example, give you some flexibility), and that's something entirely different and entirely up to you.

[RPinney]

I see....thanks guys