Blu-ray newbie questions...

[Yellowjacket]

With the new Sony BDP-S350 out now I was going to move up to Bluray but here's my problem.
My TV is an older 51" Hitachi 1080i projection (I know I know :-( and my receiver is a fairly new but still old by audio standards Onkyo 7.1 surround HT-R520. Neither the TV or the Onkyo are HDMI compliant.
The TV does have a DVI input. Can I hook up the bluray to the tv with a hdmi to dvi cable and run separate cables to the Onkyo for the audio portion? I mostly watch the tv thru the internal speakers and my dvd player thru the surround sound. (I don't need to hear surround sound american idol and friends just my dvd movies.)
The BDP-S350 does internal decoding of all audio EXCEPT True-HD and DTS-MA correct? That it would bitstream and I would need a receiver with HDMI inputs and codecs to get audio output of these sources right??
Should I wait for the BDP-S550? Upgrading the TV, receiver and a Blu-ray player is outta the question. I am just waiting til a CRT tube goes bad in the Hitachi (it is 5 yrs old) to upgrade to a nice flat panel LCD or Plasma (not sure which yet)
Any advice and suggestions please???? I am also budgeting for a new desktop computer ($1100) and Digital SLR lenses so money is kinda tight. (I have to find cheaper hobbies hehe)

[Driver_King]

You can gain a bit by lowering the budget on the computer. I can find you a good computer too.

[crackinhedz]

yes, you can connect an HDMI-DVI cable (as long as the TV is HDCP compliant)...and use an optical cable for audio.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by Yellowjacket

Can I hook up the bluray to the tv with a hdmi to dvi cable and run separate cables to the Onkyo for the audio portion?

Yes.

The BDP-S350 does internal decoding of all audio EXCEPT True-HD and DTS-MA correct? That it would bitstream and I would need a receiver with HDMI inputs and codecs to get audio output of these sources right??

Correct.

Should I wait for the BDP-S550?

Save for a PS3.

I hope that helps.

[yellowblanket]

you're yellow too!

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by yellowblanket

you're yellow too!

I don't like that one yellow guy.... that other yellow guy is a class act though, but the one... you know which one.... is a real piece of work...... nothing like the stand-up guy the other yellow guy is like

[arush5268d]

Welcome to the forum! We all hope that you enjoy Blu-ray as much as we all do.

You'll find that crakinhedz is your one-stop-shop for all your audio questions!

[mr.hidef]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

I hope that helps.

PS3 sucks, without bitstream....sure set him up to hear the CORE audio.....some advice you give,and not all people are gamers.How many times have we told you people that the MAJORITY of the working public DO NOT WANT A GAMING CONSOLE STARING THEM IN THE FACE!

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

PS3 sucks, without bitstream....sure set him up to hear the CORE audio.....some advice you give,and not all people are gamers.How many times have we told you people that the MAJORITY of the working public DO NOT WANT A GAMING CONSOLE STARING THEM IN THE FACE!

Some people just can not get over the fact that not everybody wants a gaming console or a PS3. They think that because it's what they have then everyone should have it. It's very frustratin that "Get the PS3!!!" is the standard response for so many people here.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

PS3 sucks, without bitstream....sure set him up to hear the CORE audio.....some advice you give,and not all people are gamers.How many times have we told you people that the MAJORITY of the working public DO NOT WANT A GAMING CONSOLE STARING THEM IN THE FACE!

I have one game (soon to be traded though thank god) and two PS3s..... so

1) I'm not a gamer

and

2) I'd rather have a PS3 "staring me in the face" than your Bose speakers

3) I got both of my PS3s because they don't "suck" and because they're wirelessly connective, I can upgrade them very easily, and load fast... upconvert fairly well (although I'd rather have a dedicated DVD player)

The list goes on......


you don't have to be a gamer to buy a game console anymore...... it's the "new way my droogies....."


EDIT:

I will be getting stand-alone players when one hits the market that I feel compelled to buy.

[jsteinhauer]

There's nothing wrong with your receiver, so don't replace it, and don't waste your money on something that you can't take full advantage of when appropriate hardware is available. Get a player with 7.1 analog output that decodes Master Audio and TrueHD. I agree with reducing your PC budget like the poster abover. Unless you are a cutting edge PC gamer or have occupational needs, a top notch PC can be built for hundreds less.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

PS3 sucks, without bitstream....sure set him up to hear the CORE audio.....some advice you give,and not all people are gamers.How many times have we told you people that the MAJORITY of the working public DO NOT WANT A GAMING CONSOLE STARING THEM IN THE FACE!

Alright, that's uncalled for. He can do with what he will for a Blu-ray player. He was asking for my opinion. 7.1 analog is not going to sound better than 7.1 through HDMI on a better receiver. Also, don't ever refer to me as "you people" again. I'm not forcing it upon anyone. It was a suggestion.

Originally Posted by arush5268d

Some people just can not get over the fact that not everybody wants a gaming console or a PS3. They think that because it's what they have then everyone should have it. It's very frustratin that "Get the PS3!!!" is the standard response for so many people here.

Once again, don't say "some people can't get over..." to me. I don't know why suggesting a PS3 (which is an extraordinary Blu-ray player) is a problem. Don't come in here trolling please.

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

7.1 analog is not going to sound better than 7.1 through HDMI on a better receiver.

Depends on the player.

He could buy a new player and a new receiver, as you suggest, or he could buy the 3800BDCI from Denon(which is possible to get for less than MSRP) or wait for the new Marantz. He may indeed get better sound over 7.1 analog and a better SDDVD upconverter at the same time, so long as his speakers are good enough to show the difference.

[Driver_King]

Yellow, I just saw the manual for your Onkyo and I saw only 5.1 analog inputs. I hope you didn't want 7.1 discrete channels of audio. If you want, you can absolutely wait for that Blu-ray player. I was just thinking you could get a PS3 and get an Onkyo 605 (see my sig) for around the same price of the BDP-S550 that you want.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

Depends on the player.

He could buy a new player and a new receiver, as you suggest, or he could buy the 3800BDCI from Denon(which is possible to get for less than MSRP) or wait for the new Marantz. He may indeed get better sound over 7.1 analog and a better SDDVD upconverter at the same time, so long as his speakers are good enough to show the difference.

That's not my point. First, his receiver doesn't even have 7.1 analog ins. Second, a newer receiver is probably going to sound better than the older one he has. Third, he should make sure he uses higher quality cables to connect his 5.1 analog in order to receiver higher quality audio. Fourth, it's easier to connect one cable than 6 cables.

Don't get me wrong about standalone players though. I don't want people thinking I'm some selfless PS3 fanboy. I think it all depends on what you're willing to spend and the effort of making the best out of your situation and receiver.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Yellowjacket

With the new Sony BDP-S350 out now I was going to move up to Bluray but here's my problem.
My TV is an older 51" Hitachi 1080i projection (I know I know :-( and my receiver is a fairly new but still old by audio standards Onkyo 7.1 surround HT-R520. Neither the TV or the Onkyo are HDMI compliant.
The TV does have a DVI input. Can I hook up the bluray to the tv with a hdmi to dvi cable and run separate cables to the Onkyo for the audio portion? I mostly watch the tv thru the internal speakers and my dvd player thru the surround sound. (I don't need to hear surround sound american idol and friends just my dvd movies.)
The BDP-S350 does internal decoding of all audio EXCEPT True-HD and DTS-MA correct? That it would bitstream and I would need a receiver with HDMI inputs and codecs to get audio output of these sources right??
Should I wait for the BDP-S550? Upgrading the TV, receiver and a Blu-ray player is outta the question. I am just waiting til a CRT tube goes bad in the Hitachi (it is 5 yrs old) to upgrade to a nice flat panel LCD or Plasma (not sure which yet)
Any advice and suggestions please???? I am also budgeting for a new desktop computer ($1100) and Digital SLR lenses so money is kinda tight. (I have to find cheaper hobbies hehe)

You could build yourself a PC with a BD player in it that would connect to your receiver for less than the price you plan for a new desktop. At that price point you could have one that would do analog out and be ready for audio over hdmi when you decide to change your receiver. I'm getting ready to build one for a friend and he's payiing less than $1100.00 to include a 22 inch monitor and labor.

[crackinhedz]

PS3 sucks, without bitstream....sure set him up to hear the CORE audio.

..you cannot send Lossless bitstream over analog anyways. not sure what this rant is about?

The PS3 decodes Lossless audio, so not sure where you get the "core" audio part.

The OP's ideal solution is to get a newer hdmi receiver, in which case the PS3 would be perfectly fine.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

PS3 sucks, without bitstream....sure set him up to hear the CORE audio.....some advice you give,and not all people are gamers.How many times have we told you people that the MAJORITY of the working public DO NOT WANT A GAMING CONSOLE STARING THEM IN THE FACE!

So are you now the de-facto spokesperson for the "working public"? Just asking because every "working joe" who comes by and sees(and hears) my set-up is blown away. A few have even gone out and bought their own. But not one of them has gone on a tirade just because I recommended a PS3. I mean if you don't want a game console "staring you in the face", and you may want to lean into your screen so you catch this:

Don't put a game into it!

Never have quite figured out why person A asks a question, person B gives an answer or advice, and then person C(without offering advice of their own) craps all over person B.

[crackinhedz]

Never have quite figured out why person A asks a question, person B gives an answer or advice, and then person C(without offering advice of their own) craps all over person B.

yes, we need to respect everyone and their opinions...not crap all over them. (well said)

We are better than that on bluray.com and those who have a problem with suggestions or opinions need to take a chill pill or go somewhere else with the attitude.

[Yellowjacket]

Thanks for all the info guys.. I think I have waited this long for the new sony bluray players I can wait just a little longer for the S550 to come out. That will give me some more time to consider keeping my older Onkyo or upgrading to HDMI with a newer Onkyo or Yamaha. I was in Best Buy today checking out the new plasmas and They put my Hitachi to shame!! They had Ice Age 2 playing on Bluray on a Sony S300 player. (not sure what Sony TV it was) but it was definately like nothing I have ever seen on my projection 1080I TV with a standard DVD..