Benefits from HD/BD audio with older receiver?

[Buckeye_Nut]

I realize there has been a ton of discussion about the new audio formats. (DTS-HD/MA, DD-plus/TrueHD..etc,etc)

I've owned both HD/BD players, and noticed insanely high bitrates coming from both in spite of my receiver being from the era pre-the new audio formats. I just about flipped out the first time I checked the bitrates being processed and they are 1,300+++.

Even though I bitstream to a receiver that doesn't process the new audio formats, I still think the HD/BD sound quality might have a leg-up on standard DVD's.

Any thoughts?

 

[j_garcia]

True HD should come in at 640k and DTS HD should come in at 1509K.

 

[Alamar]

From a pure audio standpoint if your A/V only knows how to process Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks then BluRay won't really help much. While I'm a newb IIRC the max bitrate is capped on DD5.1 so there isn't really a good way for BluRay to help you.

Getting a receiver that can handle multichannel PCM or similar though could help out a lot though.

 

[j_garcia]

There is a noticeable difference between standard DD5.1 - 348k or whatever it was and 640K DD5.1 that is downmixed from True HD. For dts, the difference is still there, but is less so and both depend heavily on how well mixed they are. Bitrate alone doesn't tell you everything.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I watched a couple blu-rays tonight, and one showed a bitrate of 1300+, and the other was over 1500+.

 

[mfabien]

If one doesn't wish to invest in a new receiver, capable of decoding the new codecs, it is worthwhile to find a used receiver with 5.1 multichannel analog inputs.

 

[j_garcia]

I watched a couple blu-rays tonight, and one showed a bitrate of 1300+, and the other was over 1500+.

Where are you retrieving this info?

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Where are you retrieving this info?

The on screen display for my receiver has an information screen that pretty much tells me anything/everything I want to know.

The sampling rate is also shown, and it's only 48KHz which is a little dis concerning for me. My user manual isn't over clear on sampling rates, but I thought that number should have been 96KHz. There are several references to DTS 96/24 compatibility, so I assumed the sampling rate should show as 96?

On one of the movies, I chose the 7.1 DTS-HD audio track and got the bitrate that was in the 1500's. When I checked the standard DD-EX track, that bitrate dropped down to the 600's.

 

[obscbyclouds]

The sampling rate is also shown, and it's only 48KHz which is a little dis concerning for me. My user manual isn't over clear on sampling rates, but I thought that number should have been 96KHz. There are several references to DTS 96/24 compatibility, so I assumed the sampling rate should show as 96?

I haven't seen any BR's that are sampled at 96KHz yet, they may exsist, but are few and far between. 48KHz is what many DVD-A's are sampled at also. If you find one that is sampled in 96, it'll probably display 96 Khz.

DTS 96/24 is another audio codec, seperate from DTS HD-MA and TrueHD. Here's a Link for it: http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/technology/at-a-glance-details.php?ID=1960930779&glanceID=Overview

 

[jostenmeat]

I realize there has been a ton of discussion about the new audio formats. (DTS-HD/MA, DD-plus/TrueHD..etc,etc)

I've owned both HD/BD players, and noticed insanely high bitrates coming from both in spite of my receiver being from the era pre-the new audio formats. I just about flipped out the first time I checked the bitrates being processed and they are 1,300+++.

Even though I bitstream to a receiver that doesn't process the new audio formats, I still think the HD/BD sound quality might have a leg-up on standard DVD's.

Any thoughts?

One reason why you may find the improved SQ even with "older" gear is that the max bitrates are higher on BDs, even with the ol' DD and DTS.

Also, fyi, you can receive the "core" of DTS-MA (or perhaps a reduced version of the "core") by way of optical-SPDIF and that should still get you about double the max bitrate (compared to SD-DVD version of DTS).

Some people disliked the complex idea of "core" + "extension" bitstreams, but OTOH, its somewhat of a boon to those not quite ready to upgrade to newer HDMI receivers. Your case in point?

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I haven't seen any BR's that are sampled at 96KHz yet, they may exsist, but are few and far between. 48KHz is what many DVD-A's are sampled at also. If you find one that is sampled in 96, it'll probably display 96 Khz.

DTS 96/24 is another audio codec, seperate from DTS HD-MA and TrueHD. Here's a Link for it: http://www.dtsonline.com/consumer/technology/at-a-glance-details.php?ID=1960930779&glanceID=Overview

Thanks, that helps. BTW...is your avatar a dragon from "Reign of Fire"? I've seen that movie previously, but I coincidently just watched it last night for the first time on BD disc Love that flick!!!

The above info is helps.... I was worried that I was downsampling my audio by accident. Sample rates arent discussed anywhere in my receiver owners manual, but it is discussed in my Blu-ray owners manual with respect to PCM downsampling. (but I'm bitstreaming) In there, they talk about downsampling a 96Khz source to 48Khz. Even though I'm not using PCM, I've set downsampling to off to be extra safe. LOL

 

[Cozmo]

I realize there has been a ton of discussion about the new audio formats. (DTS-HD/MA, DD-plus/TrueHD..etc,etc)

I've owned both HD/BD players, and noticed insanely high bitrates coming from both in spite of my receiver being from the era pre-the new audio formats. I just about flipped out the first time I checked the bitrates being processed and they are 1,300+++.

Even though I bitstream to a receiver that doesn't process the new audio formats, I still think the HD/BD sound quality might have a leg-up on standard DVD's.

Any thoughts?

Would a better option, if available, to use the analog outputs and inputs? Are there any decent HD players out there that have internal decoders and good bass management? At least in my case and probably others as well, if I use the analog outputs from the HD player to the analog in of my receiver, then I effectively bypass all bass management, speaker/sub crossovers, etc. in the receiver and would be relying on the DVD player for these....

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Would a better option, if available, to use the analog outputs and inputs? Are there any decent HD players out there that have internal decoders and good bass management? At least in my case and probably others as well, if I use the analog outputs from the HD player to the analog in of my receiver, then I effectively bypass all bass management, speaker/sub crossovers, etc. in the receiver and would be relying on the DVD player for these....

Naw..... that's out of the question for me because my receiver and BD player only have 5.1 analog outputs, and my audio system is configured for 7.1.

If my receiver/BD player had 7.1 analog jacks, I would have probably connected using that method to take advantage of the new audio formats because yes....... my stand alone player is capable of processing the audio formats within the player itself.

 

[Cozmo]

Naw..... that's out of the question for me because my receiver and BD player only have 5.1 analog outputs, and my audio system is configured for 7.1.

If my receiver/BD player had 7.1 analog jacks, I would have probably connected using that method to take advantage of the new audio formats because yes....... my stand alone player is capable of processing the audio formats within the player itself.

That's probably best with your setup. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any reasonably priced players out there that do both the decoding and allow you to set speaker/sub x-overs, etc. in order to use the analog connections?