new Blu-Ray player compatability w\ existing AV receiver?

[Ren]

I'm researching Blu-Ray players and have hit a sticking point. I have a 2-year old Denon AV2807 receiver w\ HDMI 1.1 input. A big motivation for moving up from a DVD player (currently Denon DVD 1920) to a Blu-Ray player is to get the newer audio formats which are supported: Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio. I actually installed 7.1 speakers when I set up my HT 2 years ago.

The question is: can I use the Blu-Ray player to decode and send digital audio & video to the 2807 via HDMI? Or would I need to buy a newer AV receiver with that audio decoding built in?

Thanks in advance!

Ren

[BrendonR]

Hi Ren,

I'm sure somebody might correct me here but....


you CAN run HDMI from any new Blu-Ray player to your Denon, however, you will NOT get any new audio codecs from that receiver.

It is not a matter of the receiver or BDPlayer decoding the audio, either way would work. The problem (I believe you have) is the HDMI 1.1. To my knowledge, to send audio formats LPCM from your player to your receiver, you require HDMI 1.3a support.

Solution?

New BD Player AND New receiver.

Sorry
Brendon.

[Trix]

Originally Posted by BrendonR

Solution?

New BD Player AND New receiver.

Possibly cheaper solution is a player which decodes the lossless codes and has 7.1 analog outputs to send the audio to your receiver, provided your receiver has a 7.1 analog input, which c-net states it does.

[BrendonR]

Originally Posted by Trix

Possibly cheaper solution is a player which decodes the lossless codes and has 7.1 analog outputs to send the audio to your receiver, provided your receiver has a 7.1 analog input, which c-net states it does.

THAT I did not think of - good catch Trix.

If Ren goes that solution he'd have to:

BDPlayer (set to decode audio): 7.1 Analog to receiver for audio & HDMI to Display for Video.

[crackinhedz]

HDMI v1.1 will pass up to 7.1 PCM. (as long as it will process audio via hdmi)

So get a player that can decode.

[Trix]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

HDMI v1.1 will pass up to 7.1 PCM. (as long as it will process audio via hdmi)

So get a player that can decode.

Then my suggestion is pointless

[Ren]

Thanks for the expert advice!

[ryoohki]

According to you're manual yoU're receiver is 1.1 compatible in HDMI Audio.

So that mean that it can process up to 7.1 PCM channel from an HDMI connection.

You're cheapest option woiuld be to buy a Panasonic BD35 witch decode everything and output it in LPCM over the HDMI. Or get the Sony S550 or Panasonic BD55 and use the 5.1/7.1 analog output

[Ren]

Thanks. I would much prefer the HMDI / PCM option rather than the analog. I think I would lose some AV receiver processing (like Audyssey EQ) using the analog inputs.

Ren

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by Ren

Thanks. I would much prefer the HMDI / PCM option rather than the analog. I think I would lose some AV receiver processing (like Audyssey EQ) using the analog inputs.

Ren

It's possible. Like i said, cheapest right now is BD35. the BD35 will be replaced soon by the BD60.. the new 2009 model. They should be both the same, maybe the BD60 will be faster anyway it's not out yet and nodoby's really know the date + the BD35 can be had at a nice price if you browse enought..

[Ren]

Thanks for the answers and discussion.

I bought a Sony BDP-S550 to work with my Denon AV2807 (HDMI version 1.1) receiver. I got varying advice from different sources as to whether the Denon could understand the decoded 5.1 or 7.1 sound from the Sony. I just plugged it in and they are working quite nicely together. The picture is great as is the sound.

Thanks.

Ren