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Hd audio decoder black box

#1
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6/3/09 at 9:23am
  • Joined: December 2008
  • Post Count: 7
Is anyone out there aware of a stand alone black box that will decode Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS HD audio formats for a non-HDMI a/v receiver?
I recently bought a new 5.1 receiver/10" powered sub and new center channel speaker to go with my 4 cheap satellite speakers. The new receiver doesn't have HDMI pass-through or HD audio decoding.
This new composite system with all the digital connections does sounds great compared to what I previously rolled with.
Budget being the consideration for not getting the so-equipped a/v receiver in the first place, I'm just wondering if I can still make it happen down the line.
I don't really know. Am I missing that much anyway?
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#2
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6/3/09 at 9:40am
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
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Re: Hd audio decoder black box

I've never heard of one. There are BD players that will decode the HD sound formats and output them over 7.1 analog connections for a receiver with 7.1 analog inputs.

-Robert
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#3
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6/3/09 at 10:31am
  • Joined: April 1999
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Re: Hd audio decoder black box

How much did you pay for the receiver? Sony STR-DG820 with full decoding is only $240.
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#4
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6/3/09 at 1:31pm
  • Joined: December 2008
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Re: Hd audio decoder black box

I bought a JVC RX5060B for about $132. It's works great for what it is considering the price. 500 watts, 5.1, DD, DTS,FM/AM pretty basic stuff minus USB,Ipod,HDMI etc.
I knew going in that you get what you pay for. I was just thinking of a possible end-around If I wanted to just add to the capabilities of what I have.
If not, I can live with it.
Mamma always said, "you can have anything you want, just not everything you want".
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#5
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6/3/09 at 3:21pm
  • Joined: April 1999
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Re: Hd audio decoder black box

That receiver is kind of obsolete. No analog multi-ch ins, even. By itself, not having TrueHD/DTS-HD is to me not so horrible, but a bigger thing to be worried about is the limited number of digital inputs you have. I think that model only has 2 digital inputs, one coax, one optical. That will be very limiting in the long run as you make add ons to the system (DVRs, game console, etc.). The Sony would give a lot more room for expansion, having 4 HDMI + 3 optical + 1 coax.

That receiver is spec'd for about 8 years ago. I had an older Pioneer that was similar (even worse, no DTS, no Prologic II!) bought in 1997, held on for 10 years, but couple years ago was forced to upgrade due to lack of digital inputs.

I'd try to scrape up the extra $108, and try to make savings elsewhere. Better to do that and keep for 8-9 years than stick with this one and feel need to upgrade for $300-400 to a new receiver 2 years from now.
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#6
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6/8/09 at 4:56pm
  • Joined: December 2008
  • Post Count: 7

Re: Hd audio decoder black box

You're right. Ordinarily, having only 2 digital inputs would be limiting. I did consider my likely digital connection needs. By running my 60" Mitsubishi dlp via hdmi to direct tv hd dvr and dvr through Toslink optic to my receiver with the blu-ray passing digital coaxial to my receiver that's pretty much all I'll need.
I've no interest in gaming. Maybe a Wii somewhere down the line. But do I need a digital connection for Wii audio. Surely analog would do. Wouldn't it?
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