Waterford

Best Blu Ray DVD for HDMI-less reciever??

Looking to buy a Blu-Ray DVD but I don't want to pitch my current reciever(Pioneer elite vsx-47) no HDMI inputs. I'm leaning towards a Panasonic DMP-DB 30. Any comments or suggestions???

Thanks

Aaron Silverman

Re: Best Blu Ray DVD for HDMI-less reciever??

That's only Final Standard Profile (1.1), right? Get a PS3 so you can upgrade to Profile 2.0. I have one hooked up to my non-HDMI receiver (HDMI to the TV; optical to the receiver) and it works great.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

Stephen Tu

Re: Best Blu Ray DVD for HDMI-less reciever??

If you are interested in using the newer audio codecs (TrueHD, DTS-HD/MA, DD+, etc.), the BD30 & PS3 are like the worst choices for a non-HDMI receiver!

BD30 - only bitstreams the new codecs, won't decode, need decoder in receiver (so need one of the newest HDMI receivers with those codecs built-in)

PS3 - decodes them (not DTS-HD/MA yet), but only output is HDMI. (optical only gives legacy DD/DTS)

Unless you are fine with just old DD/DTS, you'd want a player that has decoding for all formats + 5.1 multi-ch analog output. Wait for the Panasonic BD50 or the Sony BDP-S550 IMO.

Jeff Gatie

Re: Best Blu Ray DVD for HDMI-less reciever??

If you are not going to upgrade to a HDMI 1.3 receiver, the Panasonic BD30 is the absolute worst choice. It doesn't internally decode any of the new HD audio codecs, instead it bitstreams them to a HDMI 1.3 receiver. You would be limited to the downmixed PCM or legacy DD over optical. The Panasonic BD10 would be a better choice, it has more internal decoding and costs less. It also has analog outs, so you can use the 5.1 analog ins on your receiver to get the full HD audio from LPCM, DD+ and TrueHD (DTS-HD/MA will only give you DTS core from the BD10).

RomanSohor

Re: Best Blu Ray DVD for HDMI-less reciever??

I have the Sharp Aquos BD-HP20U, it has 5.1 Analog outputs, and I am enjoying the sound immensely on my (admitedly not quite audiophile quality) sound system.

Roman Sohor, CTS

Nick P

Re: Best Blu Ray DVD for HDMI-less reciever??

The upcoming Sony BDP-S550 and Panasonic DMP-BD50 will both have onboard decoders and 7.1 analog output that should work nicely with an "older" receiver.