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7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

#1
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6/2/09 at 3:00pm
  • Joined: May 2009
  • Post Count: 3
OK, I am very frustrated and have some big questions.

I recently had an old receiver start to die on me, so I went out and bought a receiver and was not sure about what I needed to buy. I bought a Denon AVR-689. It is a pretty nice receiver, but now I found out it is pass through only with the HDMI. I should have at least bought the AVR-789 (sad face).

I just bought a 60" Mits DLP 1080p TV.
I picked up a Blu Ray as well - Samsung BD-P3600

So now I am super mad, because I can get high def picture by connecting my Blu Ray direct to the TV with HDMI, and same with my Direct TV HD DVR right?

But I cannot get True HD sound now because no HDMI with audio. But I have been reading and my receiver has the 7.1 analog deal and the Samsung Blu Ray player I bought decodes all HD audio right?

So can I connect the Blu Ray through the 7.1 analog out to my receiver and let the Blu Ray do the decoding and actually get True HD sound?

And, If I do connect from Blu Ray to the Receiver using the analog out, what cables do you actually use? plain RCA? Digital Coax? and the are seven connectors, an odd number, so. And do you actually get True HD sound like you do through an HDMI cable?

Please help. I just bought this damn receiver and I am hoping you guys will tell me I can get around this for now and get True HD sound this way. I really do not want to buy a new receiver already when this one is two months old. Thank you again in advance, you can really screw yourself if you do not know what you are doing.

Thanks,

Jon
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#2
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6/2/09 at 3:40pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349

Re: 7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

Quote:
But I cannot get True HD sound now because no HDMI with audio. But I have been reading and my receiver has the 7.1 analog deal and the Samsung Blu Ray player I bought decodes all HD audio right?
Quote:
So can I connect the Blu Ray through the 7.1 analog out to my receiver and let the Blu Ray do the decoding and actually get True HD sound?

And, If I do connect from Blu Ray to the Receiver using the analog out, what cables do you actually use? plain RCA? Digital Coax? and the are seven connectors, an odd number, so. And do you actually get True HD sound like you do through an HDMI cable?
Yes, you can get HD sound thru the 7.1 channel analog inputs just like thru hdmi. The 3600 will decode the new formats and send the signal thru the analog outs. Only thing is the 7.1 analog in's bypass all processing like bass/treble controls, the receivers bass management and Audyssey room correction. The 689 will act as a volume controller only. But you will get HD sound.

Use regular rca analog cables. Digital coaxial cable is not needed. Monoprice.com is a good place to get good quality cables at a very good price.
Quote:
you can really screw yourself if you do not know what you are doing.
That can happen in all walks of life .
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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#3
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6/3/09 at 12:21pm
  • Joined: June 2009
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Re: 7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

I have almost the same problem. I have the Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-ray, Samsung ln52b630 LCD, and an older reciever with no HDMI the Yamaha HTR-5960. I am trying to figure out if my best sound option is to go Optical to reciever, analog mutichannel to reciever, or (no idea about this one) HDMI to TV and optical out on TV to reciever. Would love any advice. I'm not sure if my reciever will apply DSP postprocessing to analog input signals, or if my Blu-ray player provides bass management. Any help is appreciated.
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#4
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6/3/09 at 2:47pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349

Re: 7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

Quote:
I'm not sure if my reciever will apply DSP postprocessing to analog input signals, or if my Blu-ray player provides bass management. Any help is appreciated.
I don't think the 5960 allows post processing. The 3600 will apply bass management thru the 7.1 with a fixed crossover at 100hz (not too bad).

TrueHd and Master Audio are the new buzz words and everyone wants to be in on the latest things. I have both analog and digital connections to my older receivers. But don't fret over not having it if you choose to go with a digital connection. The difference in sound quality is noticeable to most who have heard the new formats but it's not that great of an improvement. Not a "man, I got to have this!" kinda thing. I also think the mid-level Dolby HD (not True HD) and DTS HD (again, not MA) are available thru the digital connection. By selecting TrueHD or MA in the disc's audio setup menu, your receiver will down-convert to the mid HD format.

Bottom line is, I can't say the 7.1 analog will be better (without processing) than digital would be with processing but if you decide to go with digital you're not losing all that much. You can still enjoy what you have.

BTW, I use 7.1 analog when TrueHD or MA are available and digital when they are not.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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#5
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6/3/09 at 8:45pm
  • Joined: June 2009
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Re: 7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

Thanks for the help Gene C. I set my system up with both so I could compare the two. I also failed to mention that I use five speakers and a sub, not seven plus a sub. So I had to leave off a connection for rear speakers and adjust the settings in the Blu-ray player accordingly. So far I like the analog sound better, but not a huge difference. Thanks again.
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#6
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6/4/09 at 5:29pm
  • Joined: May 2009
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Re: 7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

Thanks for all of the information. I am going to try the analog connections with RCA cables tonight. I will post how everything goes, and the quality difference I hear.

Thanks again,

Jon
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#7
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6/5/09 at 9:44am
  • Joined: May 2009
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Re: 7.1 Analog Connection/HD Audio and Video

I hooked up the Blu Ray to the Receiver with RCA Cables for th 7.1 Analog and man does it sound good. It does sound a lot better than Dolby Digital or DTS. Gene was right though. Now my receiver doesn't control audio sound at all, only volume. I had to adjust everything manually, but man it sounds great. I am happy I can use this receiver for now and upgrade a little down the road.

Jon
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