Michael Eriksen

Do we need HD decoders in amplifiers ?

With the upcoming blu ray players like the pana BD50, that is able to decode all HD sound formats and send them as PCM to the receiver or pre amp, is there any advantage in having af pre amp that can decode the HD sound formats ?

As long as its able to receive a 7.1 PCM signal via hmdi and it treats it the same way in regards to bass management ect. what need is there for a decoding facility in the receiver / pre amp ?

Plus, isnt it preferable that the decodning takes place in the player, that will do it just as well as an expensive preamp.

Michael

Cees Alons

Re: Do we need HD decoders in amplifiers ?

If the decoding is done well (and all current results suggest it is), it's preferable to have it inside the player, because of the correct mixing of the different audio streams.

Apart from that, it's mainly a logistic (wires, etc) and/or financial difference.


Cees

Jack Gilvey

Re: Do we need HD decoders in amplifiers ?

Need it? No. Do people want it? Sure, if just for the lights.

With the most popular player, the PS3, an AVR's decoders sit dormant anyway since it must decode/unzip internally.

Stephen_J_H

Re: Do we need HD decoders in amplifiers ?

Which means that with a PS3, you can get away with a less expensive HDMI receiver.

\"My opinion is that (a) anyone who actually works in a video store and does not understand letterboxing has given up on life, and (b) any customer who prefers to have the sides of a movie hacked off should not be licensed to operate a video player.\"-- Roger Ebert