Do you need a TrueHD/DTS-HD AVR to take advantage of these new codecs?

[jdibber]

I'm building a system from the ground up...I just bought speakers for a 7.1 setup and am looking into an AVR. I like the value of last year's models and some are without TrueHD/DTS-HD. If the source (ie bluray player) sends TrueHD to my AVR does the AVR need TrueHD to process this signal (assuming the AVR has hdmi 1.3a)?

Does broadband (fios/cable) send TrueHD content?

thanks

 

[jliedeka]

If the player bitstreams the codecs, you need a receiver that can decode them. Many will internally decode Dolby TrueHD and send PCM to the reciever. The PS3 will also decode DTS-MA. I'm not sure what other players decode both.

I'm not aware of any bitstreams in the hi res codecs from cable or FIOS at present. That may change.

It's probably worthwhile to get an AVR or AVP that can do the decoding.

 

[zumbo]

I would recommend getting a receiver that decodes.

Players that decode, and output analog 7.1:
http://us.marantz.com/Products/2393.asp

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3961.asp

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Video/Blu-ray-Disc-Players/model.DMP-BD55K_11002_7000000000000005702

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/spec.do?group=audiovideo&type=blu_ray&subtype=blu_raydiscplayers&model_cd=BD-P2500/XAA&fullspec=F

 

[jdibber]

thanks....i can say, it sure was easier buying "stereo" equipment in the 80's. Its been that long.

 

[davidtwotrees]

thanks....i can say, it sure was easier buying "stereo" equipment in the 80's. Its been that long.

Hey, tell me about it.........I got here a couple of years ago and it never ends with these knuckle heads!

I just bought the Samsung BDP2550, zhumbo, and the forums are abuzz with what a great player it is..........except it doesn't output dddtshdma or one of the codecs........I feel so left out! smiles......it does a lot of other cool stuff that makes up for this.....pq is stunna!

 

[zumbo]

I just bought the Samsung BDP2550, zumbo, and the forums are abuzz with what a great player it is..........except it doesn't output dddtshdma or one of the codecs........

Player specs states decoders for dd, dd plus, dts, d true hd, and dts hd.
Outputs 7.1 analog.

 

[allargon]

Player specs states decoders for dd, dd plus, dts, d true hd, and dts hd.
Outputs 7.1 analog.

DTS-HD MA pending a future firmware update...

 

[zumbo]

Pioneer also decodes, and outputs 7.1 analog.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/PioneerBlu-rayDiscPlayers/ci.BDP-51FD.Kuro?tab=B

Elite BDP-05FD as well.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/Blu-rayDisc+DVD/EliteBlu-rayDiscPlayers/ci.BDP-05FD.Kuro?tab=B

 

[davidtwotrees]

DTS-HD MA pending a future firmware update...

the talking heads seem pretty sure that this won't happen with the chip that is in the unit.
It's all good, allargon, don't worry, be happy.

 

[ErinH]

if the BD player itself outputs HD audio via analog (rca), then what kind of receiver is going to have those kind of inputs? Just saying that I couldn't imagine a receiver having inputs for this, but not be able to do the decoding itself.

*silly question, maybe*

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

if the BD player itself outputs HD audio via analog (rca), then what kind of receiver is going to have those kind of inputs?

Any receiver with at least a 5.1 Analog Input.

 

[zumbo]

if the BD player itself outputs HD audio via analog (rca), then what kind of receiver is going to have those kind of inputs? Just saying that I couldn't imagine a receiver having inputs for this, but not be able to do the decoding itself.

*silly question, maybe*

I never really look at/study any receiver below the $600(sale/street) price-point. Most all at or above this price have m/c inputs.

I am currently using a Yamaha 1400, and it has them. It was a budget friendly receiver in '04.

I am currently using the m/c inputs for my BR player.

One on ebay for $200. I wouldn't sell mine for $200.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-RX-V1400-6-1-channel-Receiver-THX-certified_W0QQitemZ280280739884QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280280739884&_trkparms=72:1205|39:2|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[ErinH]

Any receiver with at least a 5.1 Analog Input.

Are you talking about using all the inputs? I always forget this. I want to think that they have inputs dedicated for this that are not marked ‘cd’, ‘tv’, etc. If you use these, then yes, there’s plenty of inputs. I just haven’t tried to tie all, but I don’t know how the receiver differentiates between using the sum of these inputs for one source vs. using these individually for multiple sources.

This is new to me; I’ve always either used a single digital input or a single L/R input for a single source.

 

[zumbo]

Are you talking about using all the inputs? I always forget this. I want to think that they have inputs dedicated for this that are not marked ‘cd’, ‘tv’, etc. If you use these, then yes, there’s plenty of inputs. I just haven’t tried to tie all, but I don’t know how the receiver differentiates between using the sum of these inputs for one source vs. using these individually for multiple sources.

This is new to me; I’ve always either used a single digital input or a single L/R input for a single source.

I explained this above in post #12. The inputs used would be labeled multi-channel inputs. Some units may have 7.1 inputs, some may have 5.1.

You would connect the 5.1/7.1 outputs from the player to the 5.1/7.1 multi-channel inputs on the receiver.

What receiver do you have?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Are you talking about using all the inputs? I always forget this. I want to think that they have inputs dedicated for this that are not marked ‘cd’, ‘tv’, etc. If you use these, then yes, there’s plenty of inputs. I just haven’t tried to tie all, but I don’t know how the receiver differentiates between using the sum of these inputs for one source vs. using these individually for multiple sources.

This is new to me; I’ve always either used a single digital input or a single L/R input for a single source.

Okay, a 7.1 Analog Input would also be called External Input:

View attachment 6512

View attachment 6513

 

[ErinH]

got it. Thanks.

My receiver doesn't have this. I won't be using it for HT, but I wanted to ask to make sure I knew what to look for in case I went with a receiver that couldn't decode HD audio itself.

 

[zumbo]

got it. Thanks.

My receiver doesn't have this. I won't be using it for HT, but I wanted to ask to make sure I knew what to look for in case I went with a receiver that couldn't decode HD audio itself.

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.

IF THERE IS A RECEIVER TO BE PURCHASED FOR HT, IT'S JUST BETTER TO GET ONE THAT DECODES THE NEW FORMATS VIA HDMI.

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