BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

First off, if you get a BluRay player that internally decodes the new HD formats and sends the decoded signal via the 7.1 channel analog outs you will get the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA. The Sony 550, Panasonic 55/60 and Samsung 2500/2550 (with firmware up-grade) are examples of this. But keep in mind that not all players with 7.1 channel analog outs internally decode the new fomats and some only decode Dolby but not DTS.

Second, go into the BR players speaker setup menu and set the Back-Surrounds to Off (leave the L/R Surrounds on). The signals that were to go to the Back-Surrounds will be mixed with the L/R Surrounds so you wont lose any audio content. This is how I have a Samsung 1400 connected to an H/K 520 which doesn't have HDMI. I get DolbyTrue HD, but not DTS-MA.

You could also hook any BluRay player up to your receiver with a digital connection and then go into the receivers setup menu and turn off the Back Surrounds. Of course, this way you won't get the new audio formats, just regular DD and DTS.

And I don't believe there are many true 7.1 BluRay discs available yet anyway.

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

There are quite a few 7.1 BD movies. See this list:
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Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

Where the heck have I been!? Thanks for the heads-up Ed. Might have to hook up my rear-surrounds pretty soon.

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

It would be O.K. with 7.1 dvd movies as long as you set the Surround-Back speakers to Off in the players speaker setup menu. The only other issue you need to be aware of when using the analog inputs on your receiver is those inputs bypass all of the receivers audio processing. The signal is sent straight to the volume control so there is no way to use the bass/treble controls or Audyssey room correction, if your receiver has it. In short, the receiver will only amplify the signal it receives. Some Onkyo receivers do allow for Bass/Treble adjustments thru the analog in's but the signal goes thru a couple of more digital-to-analog conversions and this can degrade the sound a little bit.

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

There's supposed to be a Vizio model # VBR 100 that should be out in the Second Quarter of 2009 that is listed as decoding the new formats via 7.1 but I know nothing about it. LG might have had something available but I've never really looked into them. I believe they all play regular dvd's, some better than others, and 90% play cd's but I remember a Pioneer model that for some reason did not. As I always suggest before buying, download the instruction manual and make sure it will do what you want it to. You don't have to but I would. Use the 7.1 analogs for BR TrueHD and MA and the digital connection for everything else.

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

The Sony BDP-S550 decodes all the new HD audio internally, and sends them over the 7.1 analog outputs. Pioneer is supposed to have a new one too.

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

It needs the up-grade to get DTS-MA. Very easily done.

Re: BR-DVD players and multi-inputs

This player will decode Dolby True HD internally and send the audio out the mulit channel inputs. Dolby True HD can not be directly sent out undecoded it will be sent out as a analog signal after being decoded. I would just stay away from Samsung, you would most likely be better off waiting for the Oppo instead.

But in regrads to the Samsung player itself, I have not heard many good things about the Samsung players Bluray or dvd. The are a number of Bluray players that have analog outputs on them. Panasonic I believe has them, Sony has them as do others. My Sony BDP-S300 has 5.1 analog outputs.

No the players can decode Dolby Digital and DTS so your player would decode everything.

I however have my Bluray player decoding Dolby True HD and since it can not decode DTS-HD MA my reciever decodes it as DTS lossy. I also use my HD-DVD player to decode the Dolby True HD and then I transcode Dolby Digital Plus to DTS and let the receiver deal with that. I also use my receiver for Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. And since I would rather have the reciever decode everthing and not have volume differences from source to source. I will be buying a Denon AVR-3808ci that will be the work horse in my ht.

In my honest opinion a better quality avr is worth its weight in gold and with the added bells and whistles can be a better investment in the long run. Also from what I hear is that if you buy a Denon AVR-2809 and above. Denon is throwing in a FREE Denon DVD-2500 Bluray player with the purchase of a qualifing reciever.