Built in decoder

[Grimis]

I was comparing dvd players using crutchfields website and it said that the Denon DVD-1920 didn't have a built in decoder, after reading crutchfields definition of a built in decoder, it makes it sound like the player won't play in 5.1... Crutchfield deffinition says:
Some DVD players have a built-in Dolby Digital decoder (sometimes with a DTS decoder included), which lets you connect the DVD player to a receiver with 5.1 preamp inputs.
Can someone please explain this for me, because it seems silly for a $300 player not to have 5.1. Thankyou

 

[Grimis]

also is the highest a regular dvd player (not HD) can reach is 480p?

 

[j_garcia]

The 1920 has multichannel analog outputs and should be able to decode most anything on board such as SACD and DVD-A; the main reason why this player has the m/c outputs. For DVDs, you would want to send that signal via a digital connection because the receiver will generally have better bass management and also because if you use the m/c analog, you will be limited to 5.1 only.

The highest THIS player can reach is 480p. There are other upconverting players that can do 720p such as the 2910.

 

[Swerd]

By a built in decoder I assume you mean Dolby Digital and DTS decoding with 5.1 analog audio outputs. The Denon 1920 does indeed have that. It also decodes CD, SACD, and DVD-Audio formats. Read the crutchfield page again. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-FF0OULQDZvF/cgi-bin/Prodview.asp?readmore=true&g=54400&id=essential_info&i=033DV1920B#Tab

All DVD players have at least:
audio decoders with 2-channel analog audio outputs (avoid using them for HT)
video decoders with a variety of video outputs

Most people send DVD or CD audio signals in digital form to their receivers, and let the receiver's decoders do the work, which is why DVD players can work fine without DD or DTS decoding. All HT receivers have these decoders, so it is redundant for a DVD player to have it as well. Despite that many do. It may not cost much for the extra decoders.

Some DVD players, including the Denon 1920, also have DD/DTS decoding, SACD, or DVD-Audio decoding as well.

The same crutchfield page describes the video upconversion that allows you to select 480p, 720p, or 1080i output (with the HDMI output)

 

[j_garcia]

There was a time when very few receivers had on board decoders or even digital connections for that matter (digital "ready"), so many DVD players came with them built in. I haven't seen any receivers in a long time that do not have decoding capability.

 

[Grimis]

Confused... garcia says that the 1920 can't reach past 480p is that with just components? but Swerd and crutchfield says it can upconvert to 720p and 1080i using HDMI. clarify please. And also for the sound would you not use the 5.1 RCA outputs on the dvd player but the digital outputs (coax or optical). Sorry about the newb questions.

 

[j_garcia]

According to the Denon site, the 1920 will do 720p and 1080i, and it is via HDMI only. Sorry to clarify, yes via component 480p would be the max, and that is pretty common for most upconverting DVD players; most do not do upconversion over component.

The main reason for the 5.1 analog output is for DVD-A and SACD because this player cannot pass either digitally. For DVDs, you can use the 5.1 analog connections, however you will not be able to get 6.1 (DD-EX, DTS-ES) this way. Most receivers have better bass management than the player, so for movies I would recommend using a digital connection and let the receiver do the decoding. This is how I run my 2900.

 

[Grimis]

If I was to run HDMI, doesn't HDMI carry digital audio also. So I wouldn't have to worry about optical or coax digital audio going from the dvd player to the receiver. This HDMI audio the same as coax or optical? BTW what is better coax or optical? benefits/disadvantages?

 

[Pyrrho]

If I was to run HDMI, doesn't HDMI carry digital audio also. So I wouldn't have to worry about optical or coax digital audio going from the dvd player to the receiver.

Right. The HDMI will carry the digital audio for you, so you don't need optical or coaxial connections when using HDMI.

This HDMI audio the same as coax or optical? BTW what is better coax or optical? benefits/disadvantages?

Neither coax nor optical is better in most cases. Optical connectors are usually more expensive, though Parts Express (put "www." in front of the name, ".com" at the end, and remove the space; this website will not allow me to post the web link, probably because the software is set up to exclude it as if it were a porn site, due to the word formed by the last letter of the first word in the name, and the first two letters of the second word in the name) has some very cheap ones that work fine. Optical is not ever subject to electrical interference, though the shielding on coaxial wires is usually enough in virtually all cases. Also, because wire does have resistance, for long runs, people often recommend optical instead of coaxial. However, optical connectors are usually more fragile and can be easier to damage by kinking them. If you do not abuse your connectors, in most applications both will work equally well.