Do all Blu Player bitstream audio? Is that the best way?

[ridergroov1]

Hi folks. I'm trying to find out if all Blu Ray players can bitstream audio to a receiver or if there is something to look for when buying. Also, is it better to bitstream to the receiver or to encode at the player and pass along? Not totally sure.

[Rob J in WNY]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that all current manufacturer models will bitstream audio over HDMI. You can always inquire at the store or look up the specs of your player of choice online.

As for the player vs. receiver decoding debate, there will be contingents for both ways.

My Sony BDP-S350 does not internally decode DTS-HD Master Audio, so I bitstream all audio and decode in the receiver. Even if I did have a player which did decode all advanced audio internally, I would likely still bitstream the audio. Sonically, the differences of decoding either way are negligible - I'm one of those fans who likes to see the choice of audio stream on the receiver display, rather than simply "PCM" for everything.

Here's a pic of my receiver decoding 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD audio. I love the display!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that all current manufacturer models will bitstream audio over HDMI. You can always inquire at the store or look up the specs of your player of choice online.

As for the player vs. receiver decoding debate, there will be contingents for both ways.

My Sony BDP-S350 does not internally decode DTS-HD Master Audio, so I bitstream all audio and decode in the receiver. Even if I did have a player which did decode all advanced audio internally, I would likely still bitstream the audio. Sonically, the differences of decoding either way are negligible - I'm one of those fans who likes to see the choice of audio stream on the receiver display, rather than simply "PCM" for everything.

Here's a pic of my receiver decoding 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD audio. I love the display!

I totally agree with Rob I am the same way !

[BLUTRIG]

Originally Posted by ridergroov1

Hi folks. I'm trying to find out if all Blu Ray players can bitstream audio to a receiver or if there is something to look for when buying. Also, is it better to bitstream to the receiver or to encode at the player and pass along? Not totally sure.

IT best to look at the Blu-ray player first to see if can bitstream,some can't bitstream DTS-HD Master Audio and or DolbyTrueHD,some players can only send PCM,some players can't decode,some players can decode better than some receivers,if you have a receiver that decode both DTS-HD MA & Dolby True HD all you need is a player that can bitstream all sounds,my player can decode but I bitstream to my receiver it decode better,if you a older receiver that don't have HDMI 1.3 you need player that has analog audio output terminal,I think I got that right,it late

[Hammie]

No, not all BD players can bitstream. However, more and more are adding that capability.

Your question about whether it is better to decode in the player or AVR is subjective. Many say it doesn't matter and those that want the AVR to do it, just want to see the lights on the display. Some feel that it could be decoded as close to the DAC's as possible. Others feel that it should be decoded as close to the originating source as possible.

I would say that if you have an AVR that can decode, let it. If not, just let the BD player do it.

[callas01]

I have switched back and forth try to see if one is better or not. I have noticed it when playing a 5.1 movie in 5.1.

However, I use a 6.1 surround setup. On my Sony receiver I have the post-processing done using dts Neo 6 Cinema, I do find that I get better post processing on DD THD tracks when the BDP does the decoding and sends over a LPCM signal. With DTS Master Audio, there is no difference, so I left it to bitstream. Of course it could all just be in my head....

[Berty52]

Can someone explain me how to switch from PCM to bitstream or vice versa on my Pioneer BDP-320?