Panasonic BD30 and HK Receiver

[janedo1586]

Now that the war is over, I'm finally ready to upgrade to Blu-ray. Pretty much decided on the Panny BD30. My question relates to my receiver. I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 347. It is 7.1 capable, but right now it's configured for 5.1. It does not have internal decoders for Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD, only Dolby Digital, DTS, etc. One reason I'm going with the BD30 is the internal decoders. What is the recommended method for hooking up the BD30 to the HK to take advantage of the HD sound, or can I take advantage of the HD sound? Any idea how my receiver will process the HD sound? Any advice would be appreciated!!

Lisa

[krisztoforo]

Originally Posted by janedo1586

Now that the war is over, I'm finally ready to upgrade to Blu-ray. Pretty much decided on the Panny BD30. My question relates to my receiver. I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 347. It is 7.1 capable, but right now it's configured for 5.1. It does not have internal decoders for Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD, only Dolby Digital, DTS, etc. One reason I'm going with the BD30 is the internal decoders. What is the recommended method for hooking up the BD30 to the HK to take advantage of the HD sound, or can I take advantage of the HD sound? Any idea how my receiver will process the HD sound? Any advice would be appreciated!!

Lisa

I need to correct you there, the BD30 does NOT have internal decoders for TrueHD or DTS-HD (it can only pass them as bitstream to a receiver that can decode them). So using it with the AVR-347 is not the best idea, since both are lacking decoders for the advanced codecs. The AVR-347 can "only" accept already decoded Linear PCM stream from a player using an HDMI connection.
You have 2 options:
- Pick a different Blu-ray player that has internal decoders (unfortunately right now there are no players in the lower price range that can decode DTS-HD MA), a few are coming out soon like the Sony BDP-S550 or the Panasonic BD50). There is a thread here that lists all the available blu-ray players, check it out. Alternatively you can buy a PlayStation3 that has an attractive price point and decodes TrueHD (DTS-HD MA is rumored to come soon, too)..
- Replace your receiver with one that has internal decoders...(another problem with the AVR-347 that it fails to add the proper boost to the LFE channel for LPCM streams over HDMI, they're promising a fw upgrade in the next few weeks though)

[jingoboy_78]

Hi,

As I now the panny BD 30 only bitstreams the High resolution audio.It DOESNT have internal decoders for dolby true HD and DTS MA.If you have a receiver which doesnt decodes the high resolution audio, I dont think the Panny DMP bd 30 is a good deal.If the receiver doesnt have a decoder for high resolution audio it downgrades the high resolution audio to DTS and dolby digital.But still the sound quality should be better coz the DTS and DD will be played in high bitrate.Either you have to have receiver with high resolution audio codecs or you have to get a player which decodes the dolby true HD and DTS MA.You can wait for the panny BD 50 which will be out in the market very soon.

Thanks,
jingo.

[janedo1586]

Hmmm...I must have misread the description. Replacing the receiver isn't an option. I just bought it last October when my old Sony finally blew. We already have one PS3 in the house (in my son's room). I'd rather have a standalone player for the simple reason that I'm *very* attached to my Harmony remote!

If I wait for the Panny BD50 (I hate waiting), my receiver will still downgrade the sound, is that correct?

Lisa

[krisztoforo]

Originally Posted by janedo1586

If I wait for the Panny BD50 (I hate waiting), my receiver will still downgrade the sound, is that correct?

No, with the BD50 you will be able to enjoy the most out of any Blu-ray disk. The BD50 will internally decode TrueHD or DTS-HD into LPCM and send that over to your receiver via the HDMI connection. Linear PCM is not inferior to TrueHD or DTS-HD by any means, it really is the same thing in a different package.
Currently as I said the only problem with the AVR-347 (and 247) is that it fails to add a +10dB boost to the LFE (.1) channel for LPCM streams, which means your bass would be lower than intended. If they come through with their promises this will be fixed by the time you get your BD50 though and as an added bonus you will learn how to upgrade the firmware on your receiver

[jingoboy_78]

krisztoforo is very right

[Blu-baton]

I too have the 347. The fw upgrade should take care of the LFE problem. But do realize that although it will receive decoded TrueHD and DTS-MA etc ... as LPCM, it will only do so as 5.1. So a 7.1 TrueHD (or even a 7.1 PCM) soundtrack will be downmixed to 5.1 using the 347. Although upgrading to a newer player will be less expensive than a new receiver, I you are an HK fan (as I am) I heard rumours that they will have new receivers in March, but please don't take my word for it - it's only something I heard through the grapevine.

[krisztoforo]

Originally Posted by Blu-baton

I too have the 347. The fw upgrade should take care of the LFE problem. But do realize that although it will receive decoded TrueHD and DTS-MA etc ... as LPCM, it will only do so as 5.1. So a 7.1 TrueHD (or even a 7.1 PCM) soundtrack will be downmixed to 5.1 using the 347.

This is NOT true! The 347 (247) will receive 7.1 just fine. You probably have an older version of the firmware on it (pre July 2007), since then the firmware was updated. If you have an older one you can upgrade to the current fw, check out: http://harmankardon.com/product_supp...ENG&Region=USA

[Blu-baton]

Thanks a thousand times for this. I had NO IDEA! I did purchase it before July, I will upgrade it right away. I was so stuck on the LFE upgrade I never noticed ...

Sheepish thanks ...

[krisztoforo]

Originally Posted by Blu-baton

Thanks a thousand times for this. I had NO IDEA! I did purchase it before July, I will upgrade it right away. I was so stuck on the LFE upgrade I never noticed ...

No worries they just made it available on their website a week or so ago...

[janedo1586]

Okay...was reading about the FW update. What does this mean?

<<"This software upgrade adds the following features not previously available, along with improved HDMI™ connectivity:

The ability to process 7.1 PCM digital audio streams sent to your AVR over an HDMI connection.">>

I'm more confused now than I was before. LOL!

Lisa

[krisztoforo]

Originally Posted by janedo1586

Okay...was reading about the FW update. What does this mean?

<<"This software upgrade adds the following features not previously available, along with improved HDMI™ connectivity:

The ability to process 7.1 PCM digital audio streams sent to your AVR over an HDMI connection.">>

I'am more confused now than I was before. LOL!

This means that early versions of the 347 and 247 weren't able to receive 7.1 LPCM stream from a Blu-Ray player (only 5.1), but they made a firmware update sometime in July/2007 and receivers made after that date (so most likely yours as well) already have this updated firmware. But for those people with older version they just made this same firmware available for download so they can also update their units to the current fw version.
The LFE (bass) problem I described is still present in ALL 247/347's. They are promising a NEW firmware to fix that in the next few weeks or so.

[janedo1586]

Thanks for the info. Guess I'll have to wait for the BD50. Any word yet on a release date? I seem to remember reading somewhere April?

Lisa

[krisztoforo]

Originally Posted by janedo1586

Thanks for the info. Guess I'll have to wait for the BD50. Any word yet on a release date? I seem to remember reading somewhere April?

Yes, that's what I heard too.
By the way, the new firmware for the HK-347 is out this morning, make sure you pick it up!

[janedo1586]

Originally Posted by krisztoforo

Yes, that's what I heard too.
By the way, the new firmware for the HK-347 is out this morning, make sure you pick it up!

I will do that, thanks! I did check my firmware version over the weekend, and I'm behind...it was from March. Wanted to wait until this latest one came out so I only have to redo settings once.

As a side note, I hooked up my son's PS3 to my TV and AVR this weekend and rented 3:10 to Yuma. OMG! I switched my Netflix sub to Blu Ray, ordered a remote for the PS3 and two Blu Ray discs. Basically told my son he wasn't getting the PS3 back until I have my BD50.

Lisa