HD/BD vs Receivers

[Kolia]

I'm a bit confused about that and couldn't find any clear answers.

I'm wondering what will happen to the HD audio content once it goes through a "regular" receiver?

HD/BD player to Non HDMI receiver = ?
HD/BD player to HDMI but not HD receiver = ?

My receiver (NAD743) doesn't have HDMI input. I currently use either toslink and coax for the surround audio. I also use the 5.1 analog inputs for SACD playback.

I'm under the impression that I would have zero benefit from getting an HD player at this point, since I wouldn't be able to get the lossless audio? Unless I run all channels in analog form to the receiver? How silly would that be?!?!

 

[obscbyclouds]

I'm a bit confused about that and couldn't find any clear answers.

I'm wondering what will happen to the HD audio content once it goes through a "regular" receiver?

HD/BD player to Non HDMI receiver = ?
HD/BD player to HDMI but not HD receiver = ?

Your pretty much on target. If your trying to play the lossless codecs through S/PDIF, you'll get a down-rezzed version. TrueHD will become a form of DD (usually) and DTS-HD MA will become a (usually) 1.5mbs DTS core stream. There is no way to get TrueHD, DTS-HD MA or uncompressed PCM over S/PDIF. It can't be done.

If you have HDMI reciever that won't decode the lossless codecs (i.e HDMI 1.1 or 1.2) then you may have some additional options if the player can decode the formats and send them as a PCM (which only requries HDMI 1.1). Some players can do this, some cannot. For example the PS3 will decode TrueHD this way, but not DTS-HD MA. Look carefully into a player before buying.

In addition, some BR's, and maybe HD-DVD's (I don't own an HD-DVD player), come with an uncompressed PCM track. If this is the case, HDMI 1.1 will suffice, as your reciever only sees PCM.

The only way you could possibly get the lossless audio is to use the analog multichannel inputs on your preamp or reciever that you use for SACD or DVD-A. However, you will need a player that can decode the formats and send them via the analog outputs. I believe the upcoming Panasonic DMP-BD50 will do this.

Good luck, it's no wonder good ol' Joe Six Pack can't figure this stuff out!

 

[billy p]

Here's a thread with some more info about some of the upcoming players? http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40647

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I'm a bit confused about that and couldn't find any clear answers.

I'm wondering what will happen to the HD audio content once it goes through a "regular" receiver?

HD/BD player to Non HDMI receiver = ?
HD/BD player to HDMI but not HD receiver = ?

My receiver (NAD743) doesn't have HDMI input. I currently use either toslink and coax for the surround audio. I also use the 5.1 analog inputs for SACD playback.

I'm under the impression that I would have zero benefit from getting an HD player at this point,

Zero benefit?? Why would you say that? After all.... the primary reason to purchase a HD player is for HD video!! Even if your receiver isn't able to process the lossless codecs, it will still benefit from the higher bitrate soundtracks.

 

[Kolia]

Okay, that confirms it.

One more thing, are HD movies generaly 5.1 or 7.1?

Zero benefit?? Why would you say that? After all.... the primary reason to purchase a HD player is for HD video!! Even if your receiver isn't able to process the lossless codecs, it will still benefit from the higher bitrate soundtracks.

Maybe not zero, but pretty close in my case. I have a 720p 42" display and a 5.1 HT without HDMI capability. The gains don't justify the expense for the time being.

Thanks guys.

 

[Johnd]

Okay, that confirms it.

One more thing, are HD movies generaly 5.1 or 7.1?



Maybe not zero, but pretty close in my case. I have a 720p 42" display and a 5.1 HT without HDMI capability. The gains don't justify the expense for the time being.

Thanks guys.

Let's get the facts straight. You can get lossless audio to a non HDMI receiver...it's called analog.

The A35 has analog outs that send True Dolby (lossless) and DD+ (better than DD) via analog to the receiver. Receiving the signals in this manner will be no different that receiving them via HDMI.

Only you can justify the gains vs. expense for yourself kolia, but some of us haven't been at this game as long as others either. Justs a few years ago guys were modding their Denons to the tune of $5k -$6k to get was the best pq available then. Now we can get a 1080p signal with phenomenal upscaling and analog outs (for DD+ and True) for a mere $225 dollars (the A35).

Don't throw out that non-HDMI receiver just yet!

 

[obscbyclouds]

Let's get the facts straight. You can get lossless audio to a non HDMI receiver...it's called analog.

The A35 has analog outs that send True Dolby (lossless) and DD+ (better than DD) via analog to the receiver. Receiving the signals in this manner will be no different that receiving them via HDMI.

That's exactly what I said in an earlier post. But actually, PCM over HDMI and Multichannel analog are slightly different. Many recievers will not apply distance, level, and bass management to a signal coming over Analog multichannel. The player would need to provide these functions, and it's unlikely that it does as good a job as even a mid-level AVR.

I'm not saying that it wouldn't sound good, or he shouldn't do it that way, but they are not the same.