Sony BDP-S550 vs 350 vs PS3

[versacestl]

I'm quite sure this has been addressed in the past, but I'm currently looking at these three players and have decided that not only are they supposedly the best on the market, but most trustworthy.
My issues with the 550 vs 350 is the price and the actual differences. Not many people have commented on the 550 so i am hesitant to take the plunge for this. But i just wanted to hear some opinions on what i should look into more or even if i can narrow it down to two players rather than three that would be helpful.

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by versacestl

I'm quite sure this has been addressed in the past, but I'm currently looking at these three players and have decided that not only are they supposedly the best on the market, but most trustworthy.
My issues with the 550 vs 350 is the price and the actual differences. Not many people have commented on the 550 so i am hesitant to take the plunge for this. But i just wanted to hear some opinions on what i should look into more or even if i can narrow it down to two players rather than three that would be helpful.

First and formost how are you hooking it up and what receiver are you using if any.

[versacestl]

Well lets see, i can tell you my specs:

T.V: 61.5" Samsung DLP HDTV - Connects HDMI - To Harmon Kardon AVR - Connects HDMI to Hi-Def Direct TV Reciever
The Blu-ray will be Connect HDMI to the Harmon Kardon AVR

That's how the setup currently is.. I think the Harmon Kardon model is AVR-146
I'm not 100% sure as i am not currently by it but it might be the 5.1 model.
I realize that i could only utilize up to 5.1 which suggests the 350, but i am also considering expanding in the future to a bigger system and if possible don't want to have to purchase another blu-ray just to get a 7.1 spec

Also, What are the odds of the 550 and ps3 getting a significant if any price drop after this holiday season? - This could change a lot of buying points.

One more thing, If there is a better way to set up for the best A/VQ then please let me know..

[jdmac29]

Originally Posted by versacestl

Well lets see, i can tell you my specs:

T.V: 61.5" Samsung DLP HDTV - Connects HDMI - To Harmon Kardon AVR - Connects HDMI to Hi-Def Direct TV Reciever
The Blu-ray will be Connect HDMI to the Harmon Kardon AVR

That's how the setup currently is.. I think the Harmon Kardon model is AVR-146
I'm not 100% sure as i am not currently by it but it might be the 5.1 model.
I realize that i could only utilize up to 5.1 which suggests the 350, but i am also considering expanding in the future to a bigger system and if possible don't want to have to purchase another blu-ray just to get a 7.1 spec

Also, What are the odds of the 550 and ps3 getting a significant if any price drop after this holiday season? - This could change a lot of buying points.

One more thing, If there is a better way to set up for the best A/VQ then please let me know..

Well this is simple looking at your avr, you need the S550. Your receivers hdmi does not do any type of audio processing so it won't handle either the S350 OR PS3 decoding of multi channel pcm but your receiver does have multi channel analog in's which the S550 does have so you can get the high def codec sounds. I would use hdmi for my video and the analog in's for the audio. In the future for a new avr get one that will handle the bitstreaming of the high def audio codecs via hdmi and the S550 will work great with that also. You only have a 5.1 receiver currently so you will need like 6 rca audio cables to hookup the sound from the S550 to your avr.
Well about the price the $399 is the retail price of the 550 amazon has had it for as low as I think $330, currently sonystyle has an offer via their sony card ( for new account holders only) of $100 credit off any purchase of $299 or more. So you could get a really good blu ray player for less than $300.
I think they might also drop the price on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or during the holidays. Good luck.

[versacestl]

Originally Posted by jdmac29

Well this is simple looking at your avr, you need the S550. Your receivers hdmi does not do any type of audio processing so it won't handle either the S350 OR PS3 decoding of multi channel pcm but your receiver does have multi channel analog in's which the S550 does have so you can get the high def codec sounds. I would use hdmi for my video and the analog in's for the audio. In the future for a new avr get one that will handle the bitstreaming of the high def audio codecs via hdmi and the S550 will work great with that also. You only have a 5.1 receiver currently so you will need like 6 rca audio cables to hookup the sound from the S550 to your avr.
Well about the price the $399 is the retail price of the 550 amazon has had it for as low as I think $330, currently sonystyle has an offer via their sony card ( for new account holders only) of $100 credit off any purchase of $299 or more. So you could get a really good blu ray player for less than $300.
I think they might also drop the price on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or during the holidays. Good luck.

Ok i checked out some of the AVR's and i do believe this is the one i have.. And now that i think about it, it doe's have 7.1 support!

Harmon Kardon AVR

Isn't there a better sound quality connection rather than analog anymore?

Maybe Coaxial or even optical?

[hitechiowa]

[QUOTE=
Isn't there a better sound quality connection rather than analog anymore?

Maybe Coaxial or even optical?QUOTE]


Coaxial and optical can only handle 2 channels of PCM, so if you want to hear the lossless audio tracks on the discs, you need to use the multichannel analog outs on the s550 to the multi-channel in's on the bottom left hand corner of your receiver from the picture. It's strange, and i didnt believe it at first but you really can get hi-res sound from those analog outs that will be leaps and bounds better than using optical or coaxial.

hope that helps!

[BIslander]

The audio ends up analog. That's what drives speakers and creates sound. So, it really doesn't matter whether the player or the receiver does the digital to analog conversion.

The device with the better DACs will usually produce the better sound. There are also other factors such as bass management and EQ for room correction. But, analog is a perfectly fine way to go. Optical and coax will not give you the new lossless formats. You need HDMI or analog to hear those.

[versacestl]

[QUOTE=hitechiowa;1326814]

Originally Posted by
Isn't there a better sound quality connection rather than analog anymore?

Maybe Coaxial or even optical?QUOTE

Coaxial and optical can only handle 2 channels of PCM, so if you want to hear the lossless audio tracks on the discs, you need to use the multichannel analog outs on the s550 to the multi-channel in's on the bottom left hand corner of your receiver from the picture. It's strange, and i didnt believe it at first but you really can get hi-res sound from those analog outs that will be leaps and bounds better than using optical or coaxial.

hope that helps!

Ok, is there package analog wires that can be purchased or they are all 1-1 wires? I know i don't have to worry about female/male with them but what i'm asking is do they have a packaged wire-set for 7.1/5.1?

Also, i have a strange surround sound system, the subwoofer doesn't have a dedicated "subwoofer" analog out it has a left/right out (yellow/red) so i am assuming its just stereo even though the dang things label is theater surround sound.

http://www.trtheaterresearch.com/

Is the brand and they are identical to the TR-602 System.

[BIslander]

You just need standard analog audio cables - the red and white ones. Or, you can use component video cables or coax digital audio cables. They're the same as the red and white ones, but rated at 75 ohms, which is overkill for analog audio. I get my analog audio cables from monoprice.com for $3 a pair.

As for your subwoofer, it may not be a powered sub. Do your main speakers get wired through the sub?

[versacestl]

Originally Posted by BIslander

You just need standard analog audio cables - the red and white ones. Or, you can use component video cables or coax digital audio cables. They're the same as the red and white ones, but rated at 75 ohms, which is overkill for analog audio. I get my analog audio cables from monoprice.com for $3 a pair.

As for your subwoofer, it may not be a powered sub. Do your main speakers get wired through the sub?

No i don't wire them through although it looks like an option on the back i just wired them straight to my AVR.. Figured it would be one less step.. I'm assuming by powered sub you mean amp built in? The sub does have a power cord, so I would think it does have an amp but then again could be wrong.

[prerich]

[QUOTE=hitechiowa;1326814]

Originally Posted by
Isn't there a better sound quality connection rather than analog anymore?

Maybe Coaxial or even optical?QUOTE

Coaxial and optical can only handle 2 channels of PCM, so if you want to hear the lossless audio tracks on the discs, you need to use the multichannel analog outs on the s550 to the multi-channel in's on the bottom left hand corner of your receiver from the picture. It's strange, and i didnt believe it at first but you really can get hi-res sound from those analog outs that will be leaps and bounds better than using optical or coaxial.

hope that helps!

Sorry to correct you - those are the preouts for external amps - the Op needs to use the ones labled 6ch - 8ch next to the DVD audio input.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by jdmac29

Well this is simple looking at your avr, you need the S550. Your receivers hdmi does not do any type of audio processing so it won't handle either the S350 OR PS3 decoding of multi channel pcm but your receiver does have multi channel analog in's which the S550 does have so you can get the high def codec sounds. I would use hdmi for my video and the analog in's for the audio. In the future for a new avr get one that will handle the bitstreaming of the high def audio codecs via hdmi and the S550 will work great with that also. You only have a 5.1 receiver currently so you will need like 6 rca audio cables to hookup the sound from the S550 to your avr.
Well about the price the $399 is the retail price of the 550 amazon has had it for as low as I think $330, currently sonystyle has an offer via their sony card ( for new account holders only) of $100 credit off any purchase of $299 or more. So you could get a really good blu ray player for less than $300.
I think they might also drop the price on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or during the holidays. Good luck.

Sorry to have to correct you also - His receiver is a 7.1 channel (8ch) receiver by the photo. He's good to go if he gets the 550 He would use HDMI for video only and use the multi-channel inputs (not the preouts) for the Sony S550

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by prerich

. He's good to go if he gets the 550 He would use HDMI for video only and use the multi-channel inputs (not the preouts) for the Sony S550

[versacestl]

[QUOTE=prerich;1327463]

Originally Posted by hitechiowa

Sorry to correct you - those are the preouts for external amps - the Op needs to use the ones labled 6ch - 8ch next to the DVD audio input.

Ok so if im using the ones under 6ch, which i am currently not using.. im using pre out just for the subwoofer... What should i connect it to since it requires a L/R output and doesn't use the single subwoofer label analog input?

I will be using HDMI as my video connection, but on my hd-dvd player i just used hdmi and it played sound.. im assuming HDMI has that capability. So all i will need is to connect the sub to what you mentioned as the 6ch - 8ch next to the DVD audio input...

Or do i have to connect that and I will need to connect the blu-ray for sound and not rely on HDMI?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by versacestl

No i don't wire them through although it looks like an option on the back i just wired them straight to my AVR.. Figured it would be one less step.. I'm assuming by powered sub you mean amp built in? The sub does have a power cord, so I would think it does have an amp but then again could be wrong.

Follow this link http://manuals.harman.com/HK/HOM/Qui...7RearPanel.pdf and connect your speakers accordingly. You should have one cable going from your subwoofer to the one that says subwoofer out (by the preouts section in the left hand corner of your diagram). It will also show you where the 6/8 channel inputs are located for your Sony.

[gearyt]

Without seeing your manual ..
I assume that the receiver is full HDMI
which means both the video and sound go thru it

soooooo..
plug in the player with a HDMI to the Receiver
and a HDMI from Receiver to the TV and Wa LA !!!

purple jack to the sub as you already have it

but all you have is DD 5.1

IF you want the New HD sound... and you do !!
you need to add the wiring between the player audio outs and the receiver
and let the player do the decodeing as the receiver will not, which required the 550 not the 350

[prerich]

[QUOTE=versacestl;1327513]

Originally Posted by prerich

Ok so if im using the ones under 6ch, which i am currently not using.. im using pre out just for the subwoofer... What should i connect it to since it requires a L/R output and doesn't use the single subwoofer label analog input?

I will be using HDMI as my video connection, but on my hd-dvd player i just used hdmi and it played sound.. im assuming HDMI has that capability. So all i will need is to connect the sub to what you mentioned as the 6ch - 8ch next to the DVD audio input...

First of all, welcome - yes you are using the preout for just the sub. You don't use the l/r out put - that if you are going to use an external amp to power your mains. Do not connect the sub or any other speaker input into the 6ch-8ch - thats for your Sony BD player. Just plug you sub into the one called subwoofer (I think its right under the Center channel preout at the bottom left) and you're set. As far as the HD-DVD Player goes - HD-DVD players could always decode TrueHD it was written into the spec - They decode enternally so you will get sound out of them and it is feed as Multi-channel PCM through the receiver that's why it works that way for the HD-DVD player.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by gearyt

Without seeing your manual ..
I assume that the receiver is full HDMI
which means both the video and HD sound go thru it

soooooo..
plug in the player with a HDMI to the Receiver
and a HDMI from Receiver to the TV and Wa LA !!!

purple jack to the sub as you already have it
but all you have is DD 5.1
IF you want the New HD sound
you need to add the wiring between the player audio outs and the receiver
and let the player do the decodeing as the receiver will not

OP...What Gearty said, your BD can decode internally (just realized that when you asked me about hd-dvd). Also just hook your HDMI cable up and you will be set - just like your hd-dvd player. Hook your sub to the purple one on the bottom not the purple one in the 6/8ch area.

[versacestl]

Originally Posted by prerich

OP...What Gearty said, your BD can decode internally (just realized that when you asked me about hd-dvd). Also just hook your HDMI cable up and you will be set - just like your hd-dvd player. Hook your sub to the purple one on the bottom not the purple one in the 6/8ch area.

Ok i got all that but here's the thing.. I don't have a purple one because the sub-woofer i have only has the L/R and no sub out on it.. so i have a L/R cable from the sub connecting to the L/R in the pre-out on the AVR.
.

[gearyt]

connect a cable from the Purple connection on the amp to
the L connector on your sub