7.1 lossless codes down mixable out analog?

[Sheep]

Hello,

For Xmas, I asked for money. I was planning on buying a tool chest, but am now leaning towards a Blu Ray player. I was waiting for the Oppo but it's probably going to be over my budget. Both the Sony and Panny 55s are within my range, but I need to know something before I make my choice.

My receiver is dated, RXV440, 6.1 with 5.1 analog inputs. It doesn't support the new codec's, and I don't see me upgrading it any time soon (Still have other things I consider more important to spend my money on). Will either of these players be able to send the 7.1 lossless surround out in only 5.1, keeping the front 3 tracks (and subwoofer) the same and blending the 4 rears down to 2? Or will I have to run the 5.1 lossless versions?

If they both do that's great, if only one does, which is it? If neither do it, damnit.


Thanks for the help,
SheepStar

 

[Nomo]

Looking at the BD35/55 manual; the BD55 accommodates 5.1 output. It doesn't say exactly that it down-mixes the rear channels but I have to believe that to be the case. From the few BDs I've watched with discreet 7.1 sound, there isn't much going on there anyway.

The biggest drawback is the fact you'll be stuck with the player's relatively crappy EQ and bass management.

 

[j_garcia]

If I am not mistaken, you should be able to turn off the additional surrounds in the player's config and then they will simply not be processed, yeilding 5.1. I haven't actually used this player so I am not sure if this can be done or not, but other players I've seen were this way. If the Oppo is indeed that pricey, this will be the player I will be getting also.

 

[MatthewB.]

Some stores still carry the BDP-S300 (Sony) which has 5.1 analog outs, and going for a steal at around 200.00 or less, you wouldnt have to worry about downmixing at all because the player will take all 6.1 and 7.1 and downmix it already before sending it a PCM via the analog outs.

But if memory serves me correct any Bluray player that has 7.1 analog will downmix already when no connections are made to the preouts, so if you hook up 5.1 and not the rear channels, the s55 should already configure the audio to downmix the back channels to side channels and send it out PCM

 

[allargon]

Some stores still carry the BDP-S300 (Sony) which has 5.1 analog outs, and going for a steal at around 200.00 or less, you wouldnt have to worry about downmixing at all because the player will take all 6.1 and 7.1 and downmix it already before sending it a PCM via the analog outs.

There is no steal about that slow profile 1.0 player for $200. It doesn't internally decode DTS-HD MA and will only send decoded Dolby TrueHD out via PCM over HDMI. It doesn't even bitstream the high res codecs.

To the OP, the Panny DMP-BD55 is your choice--decodes everything and sends it out via multichannel analog outputs.

 

[jostenmeat]

I also doubt that players can downmix the rears. I don't know any better, but I'm quite sure they can't matrix from 5.1 to 7.1, or other post-processing, so...

I also vote for the 55 if m-ch analogs are a must.

I'm sure you'll find your solution Sheep, but FWIW, I usually recommend to others in getting the BD35, and taking that ~/+ $100 towards a new pre/receiver sometime later.

First of all, there are a number of folks who tried analogs, and ended up getting the new receiver, anyways.

I used SPDIF for a few months until I changed out my NAD for an Onkyo. Many, or actually most, or perhaps almost all of your legacy/core streams will have increased max bitrates via SPDIF, compared to DVD. Just my 2 cents. Depends on the budget of course.

And EJD posted that $199 deal, I think it was, on the BD35. w/ 6ft HDMI cable, whoopdie-doo.

 

[allargon]

I also doubt that players can downmix the rears. I don't know any better, but I'm quite sure they can't matrix from 5.1 to 7.1, or other post-processing, so...

I also vote for the 55 if m-ch analogs are a must.

Actually they can downmix the rears to 5.1. See the Panny's manual.

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMPBD35-MUL.PDF

Those expensive Yammy, Denon and Pioneer Blu-Ray players likely can, too.

The major issues most have complained about with multichannel analogs are bass management (better), distance settings (err..umm...) and lack of internal DTS-HD MA decoding (not possible until that $2k Denon came out this spring). I can understand people with expensive Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Meridian and Classe processors not wanting to downgrade to a lowly Denon, Krell, Integra or Anthem processor to hear multichannel audio. (This was sarcasm towards the high end market in case you didn't notice.) AFAIK, some of the better higher end processors can redigitize analog inputted audio and apply processing (bass management, LFE boosts, distance settings, room correction, etc.) to multichannel analog in.

 

[Nomo]

A day without Sheep?
Somebody run up to Canada, check if he's breathing.

 

[MatthewB.]

Allargon, actually the S300 can decode DTS-HD, I know because last month I got a firmware update disc sent to me from Sony and that what it was updating. I tested it out right afterwards and yes I was getting the DTS-HD codec. It doesnt do DTD-MA but does do DTS-HD which is okay since most Blurays don't have the DTS-MA codec but the DTS-HD.

As for not bitstreaming, I realized that, but since the OP says he only has analog connections and not HDMI, i didnt feel the need to mention the not being able to bitstream. It appears to me that money was a concern for him, hence my recommendation on the s300. I recently upgraded to the S350 (for the bitstreaming features) but can assure you that with the latest firmware update, that the 300 does decode DTS-HD.

 

[Sheep]

I'm here. Thanks for the replies.

Jostenmeat (sp?),


I would love to save money with a 350/35 and get a new receiver, but right now, other things deserve my money more. You said yourself the rear channels aren't doing much, so really, that kills the point of even getting a new receiver until it's feasible. A new engine will make a big difference, as well as a new Camera. That's where it's going.

Thanks everyone for the help, you have settled my nerves.

SheepStar

 

[billy p]

I'm here. Thanks for the replies.

Jostenmeat (sp?),


I would love to save money with a 350/35 and get a new receiver, but right now, other things deserve my money more. You said yourself the rear channels aren't doing much, so really, that kills the point of even getting a new receiver until it's feasible. A new engine will make a big difference, as well as a new Camera. That's where it's going.

Thanks everyone for the help, you have settled my nerves.

SheepStar

Thats what I would do! Sheep, I thought the bd55 would suffice and hold me over, but I was wrong. So I exchanged my bd55 for the 35 and now I'm looking for a new receiver.
PS: I just couldn't live with the lack of BM via the player.

 

[allargon]

Allargon, actually the S300 can decode DTS-HD, I know because last month I got a firmware update disc sent to me from Sony and that what it was updating. I tested it out right afterwards and yes I was getting the DTS-HD codec. It doesnt do DTD-MA but does do DTS-HD which is okay since most Blurays don't have the DTS-MA codec but the DTS-HD.

As for not bitstreaming, I realized that, but since the OP says he only has analog connections and not HDMI, i didnt feel the need to mention the not being able to bitstream. It appears to me that money was a concern for him, hence my recommendation on the s300. I recently upgraded to the S350 (for the bitstreaming features) but can assure you that with the latest firmware update, that the 300 does decode DTS-HD.

I know that the BDP-S300 internally decodes DTS-HD HR, Dolby Digital Plus and (sort of) Dolby TrueHD. However, it does not do DTS-HD MA which is NOT at all rare on Blu-Ray. Universal, Fox, Lionsgate, Surround Records and many European studios exclusively use DTS-HD MA. Disney also leans towards DTS-HD MA on many of their big releases (e.g., Wall-E and Hannah Montana). DTS-HD HR is rare on Blu-ray. One prominent example would be the domestic Terminator 2 which was on sale at Wal-mart for $10.

With the BDP-S300 and analog outs, the OP would get no profile 1.1/2.0 extras playback and usually only the 640Kbps Dolby Digital companion track of Dolby TrueHD movies or the DTS core track of DTS-HD MA movies.

 

[Sheep]

Thats what I would do! Sheep, I thought the bd55 would suffice and hold me over, but I was wrong. So I exchanged my bd55 for the 35 and now I'm looking for a new receiver.
PS: I just couldn't live with the lack of BM via the player.

My Yamaha has a fixed 90Hz crossover. Doesn't matter what the player can or can't do. You can always send the signal HDMI later on.

SheepStar