Time to upgrade

[lovinthehd]

From the Dolby Digital Plus FAQ:

Is Dolby Digital Plus content backward-compatible?
Because Dolby Digital Plus is built on core Dolby Digital technologies, content
that is encoded with Dolby Digital Plus is fully compatible with the millions
of existing home theaters and playback systems worldwide equipped for
Dolby Digital playback. Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks are easily converted
to a 640 kbps Dolby Digital signal without decoding and reencoding, for
output via S/PDIF. The 640 kbps bit rate, which is higher than the standard
448 kbps used on DVDs, is fully compatible with all existing Dolby Digital
decoding products such as A/V receivers, and can provide higher-than-DVD
quality from Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks when played back through
existing systems.

 

[panteragstk]

I was under the impression that DD+ can't be decoded on an AVR that does not have DD+. I say this because I only hear my L+R speaker when streaming Netflix.

I'm pretty sure that your receiver only being HDMI 1.2a is the issue more than anything else.

I'm considering the same Marantz receiver so that gets my vote.

 

[ATLAudio]

DLNA Certification

strangely, ISF does not have a wiki.... Denon and Marantz use ISF certification (with the exception of the DLNA 1.5 (ca.2006) cert for connectivity between Mac/PC)

The primary difference being ISF's stated mission is dedicated to improving the quality of electronic imaging (mostly through offering classes).

DLNA is intended to ensure interoperability between connected devices. So on the topic of interoperability/connectivity standards, yes I would say MCode was correct in saying Yamaha is Certified.

That does not mean Denon/Marantz products have inferior video quality, just that they may be more prone to connection issues (that I can attest to) which lets be honest, HDMI is one big connection issue! So it's great that Sony had the foresight to help start DLNA to ensure everyone keeps that crappy connector 'shaking hands' indiscriminately!

That link doesn't mention HDMI, except for in a "see also." All I can find for DLNA certification, for both Denon and Yamaha, has to do with that same buisness you mentioned about 5.1 PC/Mac interconnectivity, but I may have missed it. Lastly I googled DLNA and HDMI and came up with goose egg.

 

[TheWarrior]

That link doesn't mention HDMI, except for in a "see also." All I can find for DLNA certification, for both Denon and Yamaha, has to do with that same buisness you mentioned about 5.1 PC/Mac interconnectivity, but I may have missed it. Lastly I googled DLNA and HDMI and came up with goose egg.

The wiki link discusses DRM right in the first paragraph. Also, version 4.0 is clearly labeled for UHDTV.

 

[miggs]

From the Dolby Digital Plus FAQ:

Is Dolby Digital Plus content backward-compatible?
Because Dolby Digital Plus is built on core Dolby Digital technologies, content
that is encoded with Dolby Digital Plus is fully compatible with the millions
of existing home theaters and playback systems worldwide equipped for
Dolby Digital playback. Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks are easily converted
to a 640 kbps Dolby Digital signal without decoding and reencoding, for
output via S/PDIF. The 640 kbps bit rate, which is higher than the standard
448 kbps used on DVDs, is fully compatible with all existing Dolby Digital
decoding products such as A/V receivers, and can provide higher-than-DVD
quality from Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks when played back through
existing systems.

 

[miggs]

I was doing some reading on the DD site, and I was under the impression that it was backwards compatible as you indicated, which is why I am so confused as to why my surround sound is only heard from the L+R speakers.

My receiver is set to straight. My blue ray player is a panny DMP-BD85. Not sure if this is a settings issue.

 

[lovinthehd]

Dolby Digital at it's core is 2.0. Use Dolby PLII to matrix it to multi-ch.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Dolby Digital at it's core is 2.0. Use Dolby PLII to matrix it to multi-ch.

Which DD is that? Afaik DD is from 2.0-5.1 and whatever the EX matrixed rear center thing is supposed to be. 6.1 I guess.

 

[lovinthehd]

Which DD is that? Afaik DD is from 2.0-5.1 and whatever the EX matrixed rear center thing is supposed to be. 6.1 I guess.

Just mean DD can mean 2.0, and if that's what he's getting the if he wants 5.1 to use Dolby PLII to matrix it....DD+ isn't EX so I'm confused now

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Just mean DD can mean 2.0, and if that's what he's getting the if he wants 5.1 to use Dolby PLII to matrix it....DD+ isn't EX so I'm confused now

Ok. I follow you. I think he might be correct with the setting thing.
Edit: EX meaning the rear center channel matixed from the surrounds.

 

[miggs]

I am very confused. Is PLII discrete? Or will I hear sound from all the 5 speakers at the same time? I don't quite understand all the codec lingo. I just want to hear proper, directional surround sound from the respective speakers.

If my receiver is not able to do that, then I guess I need to upgrade. From from what I seen/read, is that netflix only sends sound as DD+ and that is my problem with my current receiver.

Any help/explanation would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[lovinthehd]

Try reading thru this for the various codecs/connections involved

I am very confused. Is PLII discrete? Or will I hear sound from all the 5 speakers at the same time? I don't quite understand all the codec lingo. I just want to hear proper, directional surround sound from the respective speakers.

If my receiver is not able to do that, then I guess I need to upgrade. From from what I seen/read, is that netflix only sends sound as DD+ and that is my problem with my current receiver.

Any help/explanation would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[miggs]

Thanks for your help with this. Great guide.

 

[ATLAudio]

The wiki link discusses DRM right in the first paragraph. Also, version 4.0 is clearly labeled for UHDTV.

But, it seems to apply to broadcast operators? Clicking on the DRM link also doesn't mention HDMI, but also shows how DRM can encompass far more than just HDMI even if the wiki page fails to mention it. Moreover, I can't find anything about Yamaha DLNA certification on HDMI. HDMI does use HDCP for copyright protection, but the DLNA wiki page also doesn't mention it.

Version 4.0 clearly labeled for UHDTV? Not following...

 

[TheWarrior]

But, it seems to apply to broadcast operators? Clicking on the DRM link also doesn't mention HDMI, but also shows how DRM can encompass far more than just HDMI even if the wiki page fails to mention it. Moreover, I can't find anything about Yamaha DLNA certification on HDMI. HDMI does use HDCP for copyright protection, but the DLNA wiki page also doesn't mention it.

Version 4.0 clearly labeled for UHDTV? Not following...

Both Digital Rights Management and employing an Ultra High Definition TV implies HDMI usage.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I still find this odd that streaming services don't allow good old Dolby Digital or allow it to be converted in Pro Logic II... But I don't stream anything except on Youtube/itunes.

It's a different schemes. Some of DD+ benefits include higher max bitrate, more channels and adaptive dynamic range compression (this allows program to sound "better" on mobile (low dynamic range headphones) or in vehicles - both issues of low dynamic range and lots of background noise (unless you're driving Merc S class)
DD+ equipments supports good ol' DD, but not other way around.
Probably most important benefit of DD+ for Netflix is what it can include additional data to better survive few lost internet packets.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I thought DD+ was backward compatible with DD? Guess not. Or maybe it is player specific.

DD+ is backward compatible with DD, but not other way around. DD only decoder doesn't understand DD+ (or E-AC-3) codec

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

DLNA Certification

strangely, ISF does not have a wiki.... Denon and Marantz use ISF certification (with the exception of the DLNA 1.5 (ca.2006) cert for connectivity between Mac/PC)

The primary difference being ISF's stated mission is dedicated to improving the quality of electronic imaging (mostly through offering classes).

DLNA is intended to ensure interoperability between connected devices. So on the topic of interoperability/connectivity standards, yes I would say MCode was correct in saying Yamaha is Certified.

That does not mean Denon/Marantz products have inferior video quality, just that they may be more prone to connection issues (that I can attest to) which lets be honest, HDMI is one big connection issue! So it's great that Sony had the foresight to help start DLNA to ensure everyone keeps that crappy connector 'shaking hands' indiscriminately!

What exactly DLNA has anything to do with this conversation. It's not related to Dolby Digital+ nor HDMI/HDCP conversation

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

From the Dolby Digital Plus FAQ:

Is Dolby Digital Plus content backward-compatible?
Because Dolby Digital Plus is built on core Dolby Digital technologies, content
that is encoded with Dolby Digital Plus is fully compatible with the millions
of existing home theaters and playback systems worldwide equipped for
Dolby Digital playback. Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks are easily converted
to a 640 kbps Dolby Digital signal without decoding and reencoding, for
output via S/PDIF. The 640 kbps bit rate, which is higher than the standard
448 kbps used on DVDs, is fully compatible with all existing Dolby Digital
decoding products such as A/V receivers, and can provide higher-than-DVD
quality from Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks when played back through
existing systems.

My educated guess that - It it will play DD+ stereo, but not in 5.1 on regular DD decoders.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I am very confused. Is PLII discrete? Or will I hear sound from all the 5 speakers at the same time? I don't quite understand all the codec lingo. I just want to hear proper, directional surround sound from the respective speakers.

If my receiver is not able to do that, then I guess I need to upgrade. From from what I seen/read, is that netflix only sends sound as DD+ and that is my problem with my current receiver.

Any help/explanation would be greatly appreciated!!!

PLII is NOT discrete, but you will hear sound from 5 speakers at same time as PLII is matrix system which interpolates surround sound from two channels.
Dolby Digital was first discrete surround codec, shortly followed by DTS