Bit the bullet - Picked up a HD-A3

[TheVrolok]

I'm looking to get a receiver/speaker set to go along with my HD-A3, what I need to know is what do I need to look for in order to make sure I'm picking up something that's going to take advantage of the audio from an HD player? Am I going to need a receiver that has HDMI in to avoid downmixing through optical? To be completely honest, I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive that'll do the job; it doesn't have to be incredible. Only really looking for a 5.1 system that will handle HD audio. I'm an audio neophyte so any help/advice/corrections would be gladly appreciated.

<edit>
I'm currently using the Philips HTS3555/37, so I guess I could go HDMI from my digital receiver (HD TV) and HDMI from my HD-A3 into my TV, then digital coaxial from my TV into my receiver and just run audio that way? Bad idea? Is the A3 doing all the necessary decoding of audio and then playing it through my receiver in such a way that I'll be ok with 5.1 HD audio, or am I just getting downmixed (I'd imagine it's downmixing). I'm such a noob, I'm just clueless. I was thinking about returning my Philips home theatre in a box since it's been less than 30 days and picking up a receiver that has 2 optical in's (1 for HD-A3, 1 for my digital HDTV receiver). Is that a good idea or should I just get a player with an HDMI in for my HD-A3 at least?

 

[WraithETC]

That player doesn't have onboard decoding therefore to get the HD audio formats you have to get a receiver that can process bitstream through hdmi. This unfortunately isn't very cheap. It starts at $350-$400 or something.

Then of course you'll need to buy the speakers. There might be some onkyo Htib under $1000 with these features but I haven't looked into it.

Oh yeah even if the receiver can process hdmi audio make sure it supports True DD etc just in case.

 

[TheVrolok]

Would something like this work then since it does have an HDMI in? It lists a DTS decoder and Dolby Pro Logic decoder, but nothing specifically about DD+ or Dolby TrueHD. Honestly, it's clear I'm no audiophile, my ear probably isn't trained enough to warrant spending real money - the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not). Can I do this with my current set up? If so, I'll probably be ok for now until I have more money for a real HT system.

Honestly, if someone knows about a big FAQ I could read, I'd be more than up for that.

 

[WraithETC]

Your right it has to have true DD decoding too. Sorry I forgot to mention that in my first post.

This might help
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=738511

 

[WraithETC]

With your current system and the configuration you proposed you would get regular DD/DTS 5.1 surround.

For example if you choose True DD or something from the options no audio would play or something like that.

 

[TheVrolok]

Thanks, I'll look through that before posting anymore questions .. save for this stupid one. I would imagine HD-DVD media still comes with the old DTS/Dolby Digital 5.1 to establish reverse compatibility with old receivers, yes?

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

Must it be optical? Will digital coaxial cut it?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

How much did you pay for the A3?

With the A2 units going for ~$100 now, that would be an excellent option as the A2 and A3 are virtually identical for features sets.

If you could return the A3 and get a cheaper A2 somehow and put the extra money towards a system that can handle the new HD audio formats over HDMI, you'd be in much better shape for about the same money.

Onkyo makes a 7.1 HTIB system (908) that can handle the new audio formats for $750 and even includes an upconverting DVD player that you could use elsewhere if you already have an HD-DVD player.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

Must it be optical? Will digital coaxial cut it?

Does the A3 have digital coaxial output?

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

Must it be optical? Will digital coaxial cut it?

You can buy an optical-to-coaxial converter, but the HD-A3 and HD-A2 only have a digital optical output on the back; no coaxial.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

Must it be optical? Will digital coaxial cut it?

Does the A3 have digital coaxial output?

I should have realized that answer. And no, as you probably knew already, it doesn't. My oversight. I guess my decision now is whether to run HDMIx2 from A2/Digital STB to TV and then digital coaxial from the TV to the htib receiver I have or return the htib and save up for a better receiver. Well, am I correct in the assumption that the downmixed 5.1 DD/DTS will play in my aforementioned setup? If it will, I think I may just stick with what I have for now and suffer )) without DD+/TrueHD until I have the money to put into a nice receiver/speaker set up.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

Must it be optical? Will digital coaxial cut it?

You can buy an optical-to-coaxial converter, but the HD-A3 and HD-A2 only have a digital optical output on the back; no coaxial.

Yeah, converters are only $10 or so, but I was asking to indicate that's why you mentioned optical specifically

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: TheVrolok

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
the only thing I'm totally in need of is something that will definitely keep 5.1 surround from the HD DVD to the speakers (whether it's downmixed or not).

Any home theater system with optical audio input will accept downmixed audio from the HD-A3.

Must it be optical? Will digital coaxial cut it?

Does the A3 have digital coaxial output?

I should have realized that answer. And no, as you probably knew already, it doesn't. My oversight. I guess my decision now is whether to run HDMIx2 from A2/Digital STB to TV and then digital coaxial from the TV to the htib receiver I have or return the htib and save up for a better receiver. Well, am I correct in the assumption that the downmixed 5.1 DD/DTS will play in my aforementioned setup? If it will, I think I may just stick with what I have for now and suffer )) without DD+/TrueHD until I have the money to put into a nice receiver/speaker set up.

I don't have experience with any of this specific equipment to give you a straight answer.

I don't know if your TV is capable of taking bitstream audio off the HDMI inputs and outputting it via digital coaxial.

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: WraithETC
That player doesn't have onboard decoding therefore to get the HD audio formats you have to get a receiver that can process bitstream through hdmi. This unfortunately isn't very cheap. It starts at $350-$400 or something.

Then of course you'll need to buy the speakers. There might be some onkyo Htib under $1000 with these features but I haven't looked into it.

Oh yeah even if the receiver can process hdmi audio make sure it supports True DD etc just in case.

That is completely and totally wrong.

The A3 will pass lossless PCM audio signals via HDMI to your receiver. The A3 decodes the audio tracks and sends the decoded stream to the receiver for output. The only player that sends bitstream (undecoded) high bitrate audio to the receiver for decoding is the A35.

Buy any receiver that support audio over HDMI and you should be set. That will allow you to plug your A3 into the receiver via HDMI and then a single HDMI cable from the reciever to your TV. Then of course you need to hook the speakers up to the receiver. This path gives you full lossless audio from the A3 to your speakers.