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Upgrade Path to 1080p?

#1
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9/25/09 at 8:16am
  • Joined: September 2009
  • Post Count: 2
Ok first the background...

I currently have the following...
100" Vutec recessed screen
Dukane (JVC) DILA Projector (1600x1200)

Denon AVR-5803 Reciever
Paradigm Studio 100 v.3 Front
Studio 20 v.3 Rear
Studio CC-570 v.3 Center
2 crap JBL satalites behind the couch for 6.1 (ceiling facing)
Servo 15 Sub

Not a bad system...It gets me THX certified DTS sound and up to 720p

Now the bad news....we are moving and the screen and projector are staying with the house...
The receiver has no hdmi jacks and is not DTS-HD or True HD compliant.

Now my questions...
I think i want to upgrade our system to HD but I hate to part with my receiver (as it still rocks and was very expensive)
Is there a big difference in DTS and DTS-HD?  Can I even output 1080p from blu-ray to a new tv via hdmi and still output DTS to my receiver via coax or optic?

If a new receiver is in order, I've heard that my speakers are very hungry for current and that many receivers would not be able to keep up.  This was 6 years ago...have times changed?  Would I need to get a Denon 5308 to replace my 5803 or would something at the 4308 or 4310 level be acceptable to still drive the speakers?  My system has always been dual purpose audio and movies and would like to keep the balance but i don't want to break the bank...I'm already out for a new screen.  On that topic, I'm probably not going to get another front projector...too much labor and it really doesn't make for a good multipurpose theater room.  Any suggestions on a new screen (probably OT for here)?  I was thinking about the new Samsung LED 55" but it is a bit pricey and i'm not sure what series would serve me best...Thanks all for your help!

I forgot to mention, i'm open to brands other than Denon.

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#2
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9/25/09 at 11:38am
  • Joined: May 2003
  • Location: Eastern NC
  • Post Count: 1,760
Your Denon 5803 receiver will work very well with Dolby TrueHD and dtsHD Master Audio. You'll just need to get a blu ray player that will decode internally, and send the signals out over the 7.1 multi-channel analog outputs. A friend of mine uses a Denon 3802 this way, with a Sony 550 BD player (older model), and it sounds awesome. Run HDMI from player to tv or projector for video, and run the 7.1 multi-channel analog outputs to the receiver's EXT. IN inputs, and you're good to go. Of course, a new receiver is fun, and an HDMI receiver is nice, for using less cables. But, a new receiver isn't necessary, to get the HD audio from blu ray movies, as long as you get the right player.

Sony is supposed to have a new BD player coming out in Oct.-Nov. that will have the 7.1 multi-channel analog outputs. It's the BDP-S760. It's the upgrade to the 550 I mentioned. You probably can't find a 550 now, unless it's a used one. I see one occasionally on Craig's List, for about $200. Oppo's BD player fits the bill. Everyone that owns one, seems to love it. http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/  I'll be getting this one in November myself. One nice thing about Oppo is that it also plays sacd and dvd-audio discs, as well as blu ray, dvd, cd, etc.......

If you want a new HDMI receiver, that decodes the HD audio formats, I'd get an Onkyo. Onkyo offers a lot of bang for the buck. People complain about them getting hot, but if you don't close it in, or set something on top of it (cover up the vents), it shouldn't be a problem. I have the Onkyo 805 on a tv stand with all my other gear, and it doesn't run hot at all. The upper Onkyos can be setup for using 4 ohm speakers. They are what require all the power, to drive them. My front three speakers are 4 ohm, and the Onkyo drives them just fine. My other four speakers are 8 ohm. If you run a 7.1 system, and all speakers are 4 ohm, you may need an external amp to help drive them. That would be with about any receiver. Receivers just aren't meant to handle that kind of load.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.
Samsung HL61A750 (LED DLP)            Onkyo TX-SR805
Oppo BDP-83 Blu ray                                  Polk Audio LSi9
Polk Audio LSiC                                  Sony SS-MB100H
JBL PSW1200 (Sub)                        ...
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#3
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9/25/09 at 4:00pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349
I'm using a Pioneer BDP-51 BR via 5.1 analog outputs to a 59txi Elite and agree that it sounds very good. There is a noticable difference between plain old Dolby Digital/DTS and TrueHD/Master Audio that makes getting the proper dvd player (about $100 more) worth while. But you will lose all audio processing thru the analog inputs from the 5803. No bass/treble adjustments etc. or bass management.

On the other hand, a new receiver, even a modest one, has advantages over your 5803 (and my 59txi) that make keeping your receiver or getting a new one a very difficult decision.
"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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#4
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9/26/09 at 2:15pm
  • Joined: September 2009
  • Post Count: 2
Hey thanks a ton for the info....I already have a Blu-Ray player that has the analog outs (Samsung).  I will give that a shot.  So then the idea would be hdmi to the monitor, and the analog to the reciever and all should be good!  That was easier than I thought...As for Gene c's comments...I really don't do much equalization for movies anywho so it should not be a big deal.  Now on to plasma or not to plasma :)  Would like big but after years of FUD about video game burn in, it turns me a bit :-) but that's for a different topic.  Thanks for the advice!
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#5
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9/27/09 at 11:23am
  • Joined: May 2003
  • Location: Eastern NC
  • Post Count: 1,760
A lot of people love plasma tvs. Burn in not the problem it used to be. Still possible though. I, personally, don't like plasmas. Mainly because of the reflective screen. I despise that! They also put out a lot of heat. A lot of LCDs are doing glossy screens now too. The LED tvs are very reflective also. I went with a DLP, and like it a lot. Can go with bigger screen size, for less money, with DLP.

Quote:
So then the idea would be hdmi to the monitor, and the analog to the reciever and all should be good!


Don't forget to use "EXT. IN", instead of "DVD", when watching blu ray.
You can try that with dvds too, but you may like optical better with regular dvds. You'd just need to change the audio output priority to optical, instead of multi-channel analog, in player's setup menus.
Good luck!
Samsung HL61A750 (LED DLP)            Onkyo TX-SR805
Oppo BDP-83 Blu ray                                  Polk Audio LSi9
Polk Audio LSiC                                  Sony SS-MB100H
JBL PSW1200 (Sub)                        ...
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