blu ray audio and my receiver

[EddieG]

Hi,

My receiver (HK AVR146) does not decode audio and does not support HDMI audio, so when I go blu-ray I need to have 6 channel analog audio. The inexpensive players (i.e. Sony s350 and the Panny bd35) do not have 6 channel out. Is there such a cable that plugs into the HDMI out on the player and splits to 6 channel analog for input to the receiver, or am I stuck paying for a more expensive blu-ray player?

Thanks!

Eddie

<EDIT>
I just realized that I need the HDMI for video, so never mind.

 

[jimgoings]

I would think it would be cheaper to get a different receiver than can handle HDMI audio.

 

[Davemcc]

What does the BD55 or S550 cost over the cheaper models? I don't know US pricing, but here it's a $100 difference between them. All things considered, I think getting the players with analog out is the cheapest way to go.

 

[zumbo]

Hi,

My receiver (HK AVR146) does not decode audio and does not support HDMI audio, so when I go blu-ray I need to have 6 channel analog audio. The inexpensive players (i.e. Sony s350 and the Panny bd35) do not have 6 channel out. Is there such a cable that plugs into the HDMI out on the player and splits to 6 channel analog for input to the receiver, or am I stuck paying for a more expensive blu-ray player?

Thanks!

Eddie

There are more problems doing it this way.

1)Most receivers don't apply their x-over to the m/c inputs, so you would have to be certain the player has the option.

2)While the player may have a x-over option, it may be a fixed point. Or, it may not offer the point you need.

3)The sound level, and LFE, are greatly reduced when using analog outputs for the new formats.

4)So now you either need the receiver to have dB adjustments for the m/c inputs, or you need the player to have them.

5)Now you have just bypassed any auto calibration and PEQ your receiver may have, so you must recalibrate levels just for the player.

IT'S JUST BETTER TO GET A RECEIVER THAT DECODES THE NEW FORMATS VIA HDMI.

OR NOT WORY ABOUT THE FORMATS, AND ACCEPT THE DOWNGRADED DD/DTS.

<EDIT>
I just realized that I need the HDMI for video, so never mind.

HDMI can go to the tv, and optical(toslink), or digital coax can go to the receiver. The audio will be DD, or DTS, but will get you along just fine if a new receiver is not what you want at the moment.

 

[croseiv]

The 146 doesn't have analog multi-channel inputs as far as I can tell, so you would not be able to do that any way.

http://www.harmankardon.com/back.aspx?prod=AVR 146&cat=REC&sType=C&Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&ImgName=AVR146B.jpg

 

[OttoMatic]

There are more problems doing it this way.

1)Most receivers don't apply their x-over to the m/c inputs, so you would have to be certain the player has the option.

2)While the player may have a x-over option, it may be a fixed point. Or, it may not offer the point you need.

3)The sound level, and LFE, are greatly reduced when using analog outputs for the new formats.

4)So now you either need the receiver to have dB adjustments for the m/c inputs, or you need the player to have them.

5)Now you have just bypassed any auto calibration and PEQ your receiver may have, so you must recalibrate levels just for the player.

IT'S JUST BETTER TO GET A RECEIVER THAT DECODES THE NEW FORMATS VIA HDMI.

OR NOT WORY ABOUT THE FORMATS, AND ACCEPT THE DOWNGRADED DD/DTS.



HDMI can go to the tv, and optical(toslink), or digital coax can go to the receiver. The audio will be DD, or DTS, but will get you along just fine if a new receiver is not what you want at the moment.

Good post, Zumbo. I definitely agree with your conclusions to either get a new receiver or use DD/DTS while using the current receiver.

I haven't had the chance to listen first hand to the lossless audio formats, and I continue to use DD/DTS for my audio needs when watching BluRay. While I'm sure there is an improvement in sound when using the lossless formats, I question whether it's really "worth it". I have no problem with sticking with my current preamp that doesn't do HDMI audio processing -- it still sounds great!

That said, perhaps I'll try 5.1 analog out of my BluRay player and see if the preamp can handle the processing, and if not, what my BluRay player can do as far as crossovers, levels and such.

Good luck!

 

[Davemcc]

The 146 doesn't have analog multi-channel inputs as far as I can tell, so you would not be able to do that any way.

http://www.harmankardon.com/back.aspx?prod=AVR 146&cat=REC&sType=C&Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&ImgName=AVR146B.jpg

Good catch.

I just tried to visit HK's website to check something for another thread but I couldn't get a connection from the server. I thought HK's site was down so I didn't check. I would have liked to be the one to make that discovery.

 

[A/VUSMCSGT]

HDMI can go to the tv, and optical(toslink), or digital coax can go to the receiver. The audio will be DD, or DTS, but will get you along just fine if a new receiver is not what you want at the moment.

That's what I was thinking!

 

[EddieG]

HDMI can go to the tv, and optical(toslink), or digital coax can go to the receiver. The audio will be DD, or DTS, but will get you along just fine if a new receiver is not what you want at the moment.

I was thinking of the 6 channel audio instead of toslink.

For the 6 channel audio is coax cable (like the cable used for component HDTV video) better than regular RCA cables?

Thanks!