New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Confusing HD sound formats

post #1 of 4
11/15/08 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all,

So years ago, in Jr.high I decided I loved home theater. I started building my system which I own today. Back then it was very easy to understand formats and connections. Here is my system, and Ill ask my question(s)

Denon 2802
Klipsch Ref3II mains, (soon to be RF7's) KLFC7 center, SF1 rears and a Paradigm PW2500. Sharp BD player, sony SACD, monster power center, yada yada yada. My reciever can do 6.1, it has ext in which Im using for SACD.

My pioneer plamsa plays 1080P and looks great off my bluray player sent by HDMI. For some reason, I can't get any sound from the HDMI of my sharp BD player.Any idea why? I have been threw the menus. I am currenty using toslink for sound. I am reading lots about lossless audio and high def sound movies. How do I get that? If I hook up my CD player via an optical cable, and select PCM is that lossless audio? Currently I am using a pair of analog RCA's for CD playback. As for movies, I understand that I can't get 7.1 with my old reciever, but can I get uncompressed 5.1 via optical cable? I just dont understand all these new formats, and how to get them uncompressed.

As far as I can tell, I need to have a reciever capable of playing DolbyHD, which can only be sent via HDMI. Correct?? Is that all there is too it? 7.1 recievers have been around for a long time, and now Im reading they were not discrete? "Phantom" modes and such. I hope I am making sense, and look foward to some answers. I have been searching, but each topic goes off topic lol.

matthew
Reply
post #2 of 4
11/16/08 at 7:31am

Re: Confusing HD sound formats

Quote:
For some reason, I can't get any sound from the HDMI of my sharp BD player.
There has to be something in the setup menu's that you missed. All I can suggest is you read the manuals for both the BR and the tv. The solution has to be in there somewhere.
Quote:
I am reading lots about lossless audio and high def sound movies. How do I get that?
There are three ways to get HD audio. The easiest and most commom way is to get a receiver that has HDMI vs. 1.3 and can internally decode the new formats. The second way is to have a BluRay player thet internally decodes and sends the decoded signal out the 7.1 channel analog outputs. Your receiver then must have analog inputs. All but the cheapest have them. The third way is to have a BR player that internally decodes the formats and converts them to LPCM for output via HDMI. Your receiver must be at least HDMI vs. 1.1 and accept LPCM. An example would be Pioneer's 918.
Quote:
I understand that I can't get 7.1 with my old reciever, but can I get uncompressed 5.1 via optical cable? I just dont understand all these new formats, and how to get them uncompressed.
Uncompressed audio isn't available thru digital optical/coax. To receive uncompressed audio, see the three ways above.
Quote:
As far as I can tell, I need to have a reciever capable of playing DolbyHD, which can only be sent via HDMI. Correct?? Is that all there is too it?
That's the easiest way, but you "might" be able to use your current receivers multi-ch analog inputs.
Quote:
7.1 recievers have been around for a long time, and now Im reading they were not discrete? "Phantom" modes and such.
There are very few 7.1 channel dvd's out there. It's a case of hardware being well ahead of software.
Reply
post #3 of 4
11/16/08 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 

Re: Confusing HD sound formats

Thank you for your help. My reciever does have analog inputs, but my SACD player is using them. My Blu ray player does not have pre-outs. Do you know if the Sharp Blu ray player supports 1.3? It's a piece of junk so I will prob end up replacing it anyways. I guess Ill get a reciever after I buy my RF7s.
Reply
post #4 of 4
11/17/08 at 6:14pm

Re: Confusing HD sound formats

Hi Matt.

Check out the Onkyo TX-SR 505/605 and 705 receivers. They are getting a lot of press because they have HDMI switching, the new codec decoding, etc., starting at about $380.

I am also NOT a fan of Sony - but the PS3 does seem to be one of the better BluRay players and Sony is committed to keeping it current. It is a bit more than the current crop of $250 players - but it is one of the best.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home