Another Blu ray audio question.

Camper · 03-02-2008, 01:02 PM

I'm am getting very close to buying a Blu ray player and have another audio hook-up question.

First, I have a very nice older Denon receiver that has a 7.1 audio input, but no Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA built in.

I'm going to buy the first Blu ray player that has 7.1 analog out and internal decoders for the new sound formats.

3 questions:

1. I gather that a soundtrack with 5.1 sound will produce no sound from my rear surround speakers via 'analog out.' Correct?

2. I'm guessing that a 6.1 soundtrack with produce identical sound from both my rear surround speakers.

3. I don't understand PCM at all since HD DVD didn't have any movies with that sound format (that I know of)
So will the PCM soundtracks be available from the analog outputs of the new players?

Thanks again to any folks who can help me with these questions!!

**HTF Ads**

Camper · 03-03-2008, 01:21 PM

I understand these weren't the most brilliant questions, BUT doesn't anybody know the answers to any of the questions?

Thanks to anyone out there!

sptrout · 03-03-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper

I'm am getting very close to buying a Blu ray player and have another audio hook-up question.

First, I have a very nice older Denon receiver that has a 7.1 audio input, but no Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD MA built in.

I'm going to buy the first Blu ray player that has 7.1 analog out and internal decoders for the new sound formats.

3 questions:

1. I gather that a soundtrack with 5.1 sound will produce no sound from my rear surround speakers via 'analog out.' Correct?

2. I'm guessing that a 6.1 soundtrack with produce identical sound from both my rear surround speakers.

3. I don't understand PCM at all since HD DVD didn't have any movies with that sound format (that I know of)
So will the PCM soundtracks be available from the analog outputs of the new players?

Thanks again to any folks who can help me with these questions!!

I have a Denon 3300 and it only has one 5.1 analog input so I cannot help with your 6.1 & 7.1 questions other than than to ask if you know if there is a Blu-ray player with anything more than 5.1 analog out? I have a Samsung P1400 and it only has 5.1.

As for PCM - - - Pulse Code Modulation (also called Linear PCM) tracks on Blu-ray disks are decoded and passed to the analog outputs like other digital formats (Dolby's True HD, DTS HD, DD, & DTS). Most Blu-ray players will not decode DTS HD-MA (only bit stream them via HDMI), so you and me are out-of-luck with that format except the player will decode the "core" track, which is very good. (Check the DTS web page for explanations of their HD formats.)

All digital audio formats start out as PCM, so many believe that the PCM tracks will give you the best audio of all. But, this many vary some due to the different sampling rates used by PCM, Dolby, & DTS. Unless I know for sure, I always pick the PCM track, but it is highly likely that I would never be able to tell the difference between any one of the HD formats.

The most difficult part of using analog out of a Blu-ray player (or even a DVD player for that matter) is getting the audio levels set correctly. I assume your Denon is like mine in that the analog input by-passes all surround processing including the Base Management System. This causes problems with setting the proper LFE channel level, and you cannot set speaker distances (not a big deal IMO). I also had a problem even getting the analog inputs to match the optical inputs (all 5.1 channels were exactly 4dB lower). Anyway, be prepared for level setting fun. I sometimes think it would be worth it to replace my 8-year old 3300 with a new AVR that has HDMI inputs, and all the new audio decoders. Maybe someday.....

Camper · 03-04-2008, 09:48 AM

Thanks again sptrout!

That's good info about the PCM and reassuring to me.

My Denon 280? model has 7.1 inputs, so I'm set for the new Blu ray players that have 7.1 analog out.

From all that I have read, the Sony BDP S550, will have 7.1 output AND an internal decoder for ALL audio formats DDTrueHD AND DTS HD MA!!!!

So that is the model to buy.
As soon as they release it, that is.

If I can get a good price on a Samsung 1400, I'll get that one, since it has 5.1 outputs and an internal decoder for DDTrue HD at least.

Thanks again.

Keith I · 03-09-2008, 09:43 PM

Hello. I did not want to create another thread so this subject line seemed appropriate. I changed the Title so that those who respond can keep the appropriate discussion in the right place. I also apologize if this answer is found somewhere else. I've looked but I haven't looked in the right place if that's the case.

I do not have an HiDef-capable audio component with HDMI yet. I'm still using optical digital out from my BD player.

I also do not have any BD titles that contain only HiDef audio with no Dolby Digital 5.1 or uncompressed PCM 5.1 (yet). I'm getting Gattaca and Speed this week. What audio format would an HiDef audio-only title default to on my system?

John Dirk · 03-09-2008, 10:13 PM

If I am understanding your question correctly, you are basically asking what audio format your BD player will default to using an optical connection instead of HDMI. I believe the answer is DD 5.1 PCM. You should also be able to select DTS core if it's available on the BD title and your receiver supports it.

John



Skin Chooser:	Contact Us - Advertising Information - Home Theater Forum - Archive - Top