Blu-ray's Audio Sound

A

Audio2004

Audioholic Intern
Hi guys,

I need your professional help!!!!!

Now I save enough money to buy Blu-ray player, probably Sony BDP-S350, and upgrade my receiver, probably Denon AVR-2809CI. Per my research online, in order for me to play Dolby True HD or DTS-HD audio sound, I have to conntect the Blu-ray player to receiver via HDMI cable and connect HDMI cable from receiver to LCD due to Blu-ray player has ONLY ONE HDMI output. My questions are:

1. Does this connection effect the picture of blu-ray movie?
2. is there any other connection option? :confused:

Thanks in advance for your advice and input. :)
 
C

cbraver

Audioholic Chief
Denon has done a very nice job of video switching in its new receivers and I don't think you'll notice a degradation in picture quality. There isn't really a better option that this if you want 1080p and True HD & DTS-HD.
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
Um, there would be no reason for the player to have more than one output of the same type. The connection strategy you have outlined is the correct one.
 
C

cbraver

Audioholic Chief
Um, there would be no reason for the player to have more than one output of the same type. The connection strategy you have outlined is the correct one.
It used to be people would run component direct from their DVD to their TV, and then optical out or something from their DVD to their receiver. I know you know that, but, I think that is the confusion he is having with HDMI. The whole 'one cable' aspect of it.
 
A

Audio2004

Audioholic Intern
Blu-ray

Thanks for you response. I know it does not make sense the player has more than one output of the same type, but I love to connect the player directly to lcd.

Cbraver – when you said “VIDEO SWITCHING”, it means when the receiver receive the video signal from the player, it just send the exact signal to LCD without doing anthing else like up-conversion the video signal again, right?

Sorry for my language if it caused any confusion. :D
 
C

cbraver

Audioholic Chief
Thanks for you response. I know it does not make sense the player has more than one output of the same type, but I love to connect the player directly to lcd.

Cbraver – when you said “VIDEO SWITCHING”, it means when the receiver receive the video signal from the player, it just send the exact signal to LCD without doing anthing else like up-conversion the video signal again, right?

Sorry for my language if it caused any confusion. :D
You can connect the HDMI out from your DVD player into the TV, and then use the optical out to go to your receiver. Then it will be direct. But, you'll loose True HD and DTS-HD, and only be able to process Dolby Digital and DTS.

For an HDMI source, it will send it to the TV. It won't upconvert it because there isn't anything to upconvert. For a standard DVD, you can use upconversion... but I honestly don't think it is that much better. For an analog source, it will convert it and then it can send it out via HDMI, provided you have your receiver set to do that.

I would just connect the HDMI to your receiver and then HDMI to the TV. I don't think you'll be able to tell any difference.
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
Years ago you had receivers that weren't good at passing the video through. That ended pretty quick as they realized people were actually using that feature (not me personally). With HDMI though, as cbraver notes, it really isn't an issue since the signal is all digital - you shouldn't have any signal loss to worry about. The downside being that you would need to have the receiver on to watch anything from the player, however you would also want the high-def audio formats from the Blu-ray discs most likely so the receiver would be needed for that anyway :)
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
I believe with the Denon's (and other receivers) that there can be video loss because the On-Screen menus, such as 'volue level' can be shown as you use them. But, I'm pretty sure that there are options to disable such on screen menus, likewise, I believe that the OSDs just are introduced into the video stream when necessary.

So, if you aren't introducing any additional digital information, and you aren't processing anything going through the HDMI input, which IS an option on the Denon, then you are passing a 100% unprocessed signal through the machine, in digital format, with next to zero chance of signal degradation in a well built piece of gear.

Denon, at the very least, is known for having well built pieces of gear.
 
racquetman

racquetman

Audioholic Chief
Connect it both ways and see if you can see a difference. If not, then no worries. If so, then, as BMXTRIX says, there may be some processing going on that is causing it and it can probably be defeated by finding the right setting in the receiver.
 
A

Audio2004

Audioholic Intern
Sorry I could not log in last couple days due to my desktop freezing.

Again thank you guys. Now I know what I should do when I get my new babies.

As you guys knew, Memorex is coming out the blu-ray player and on the paper, it's probably better than Sony S350 and the price is reasonable. Yeah!!! I will wait and see it in real life and probably bring home two of them and compare. :D
 
F

fmw

Audioholic Ninja
Are you sure the BDP-350 decodes the "high def" audio formats? I'm not sure it matters personally, but it seems to matter to you.
 
poutanen

poutanen

Full Audioholic
Isn't the 20GB PS3 almost as cheap as this Memorex BluRay player??? At least the PS3 is firmware upgradable which helps to make it a little more "future proof"... I'd be more inclined to pay a little more and get the PS3 (let alone the media capabilities). :cool:
 
C

cbraver

Audioholic Chief
Isn't the 20GB PS3 almost as cheap as this Memorex BluRay player??? At least the PS3 is firmware upgradable which helps to make it a little more "future proof"... I'd be more inclined to pay a little more and get the PS3 (let alone the media capabilities). :cool:
In this pricerange, I would agree. If the main use is going to be DVD playing, then I would recommend buying the PS3 remote too ... so you don't have to use the controllers.
 
A

Audio2004

Audioholic Intern
Blu-ray Player

FMW - answer for your question. Per Sony S350 manual at Sony Style store, this player decodes high def. audio format.

Dolby® TrueHD decoder built-in
Dolby TrueHD delivers lossless studio master quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment like Blu-ray Disc™. An incredible sound stage, dynamic range and a stellar Home Theater experience await you with Dolby TrueHD.


Dolby® TrueHD /DTS®-HD bitstream out over HDMI™ (V1.3)
Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD gives you sound quality that matches the crystal clear image of Blu-ray Disc™. With up to 7.1 channels of surround sound and audio that is indistinguishable from the original studio version, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD promises you an extraordinary surround experience.


Right now I'm interested in blu-ray player stand alone. I knew PS3 is a good deal when we compare it with other blu-ray players. However, we never know I will change my mind later when I have chance to compare Sony S350, PS3 and Memorex. :D
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
If there is a decoder built-in, and the player has analog m/c rca outs, then connect the 5/7 analog m/c outs to the receiver, and HDMI straight to the tv. 'Tis the way I have mine connected, due to the fact my receiver/pre-pro doesn't decode the new audio formats.

Don't forget to set the x-over in the player, as this connection may bypass the receivers x-over. Depends if the Denon in use offers BM for m/c inputs.
 
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A

Audio2004

Audioholic Intern
Yes, this is the connection I want too.:) My bluray list now will be Sony S550 and Panasonic S55 since both of them have 7.1 analog out and decode all high def. audio sounds. I guess I have to wait for another month for S55 coming out. I will compare them before I decide to buy one.

Zumbo – Can you please explain more what you said - “Don't forget to set the x-over in the player, as this connection may bypass the receivers x-over”. I’m having B&K reference 50 preamp.
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
Yes, this is the connection I want too.:) My bluray list now will be Sony S550 and Panasonic S55 since both of them have 7.1 analog out and decode all high def. audio sounds. I guess I have to wait for another month for S55 coming out. I will compare them before I decide to buy one.

Zumbo – Can you please explain more what you said - “Don't forget to set the x-over in the player, as this connection may bypass the receivers x-over”. I’m having B&K reference 50 preamp.
I read your manual, and it doesn't state that the m/c inputs on your B&K bypass it's internal bass management. Your B&K has a superb bass management system, and you should take full advantage of what it offers. However, it has a factory setting of 80Hz, so if you don't want to mess with it, that's OK too.

I would recommend you contact B&K, and be certain the units internal bass management is not bypassed when utilizing the m/c inputs. Be sure to read the manual, and have a good understanding of how your unit works, and what you will be asking them. Have pen and paper ready to jot down any additional information they offer. With most high-end manufacturers, you will get an extremely well trained individual on the phone or email. Link to contact B&K.
http://www.bkcomp.com/contact-us/

Your manual explains it's bass management, and how to use it, very well. If you have misplaced your manual, here is a link to it.
http://www.bkcomp.com/fileadmin/content/content_products/manuals/Past/Preamp or receiver/Ref_50_manual.pdf
 
A

Audio2004

Audioholic Intern
Thank you for your time and your inputs Zumbo.

I can't wait to compare between S550 and S55. Once I decide and buy one, I will absolutely look at my B&k preamp manual again to make sure I setup correctly. If I'm not sure I will give B&K a call. :)
 
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