Gah! Receiver Help.

[marketsons1985]

Thought I understood HDMI audio, but now I'm getting confused again.

I want to be able to use my PS3 to play blu rays in a 5.1/7.1 surround sound environment that is being pieced together. Right now I have the PS3 and a Samsung 40" 1080P TV. I'd like to hook PS3 --> HDMI --> Receiver --> TV and have the receiver handle all the audio and pass the video through to the TV.

If I read correctly, if I only want 5.1, then there isn't anything I need special from the receiver right? Will it work to do 5.1 surround from the DTS-MA or DTS-HD tracks on the blu rays through HDMI from the PS3?

I haven't decided yet if I want 7.1, but if I do, I need to find one that supports the PCM from my PS3 right?

My budget is ~$400 FWIW.

Any clarification would be much appreciated!

 

[WraithETC]

You need a receiver that supports multichannel PCM from HDMI.

The Ps3 Decodes the HD codecs and sends them via HDMI as PCM.

Onkyo 576 can just do multichannel PCM via HDMI if you want something more future proof (for receiver decoding of the codecs) the Onkyo 606/607 and Yamaha R something or another will do these things.

 

[marketsons1985]

Originally posted by: WraithETC
You need a receiver that supports multichannel PCM from HDMI.

The Ps3 Decodes the HD codecs and sends them via HDMI as PCM.

Onkyo 576 can just do multichannel PCM via HDMI if you want something more future proof (for receiver decoding of the codecs) the Onkyo 606/607 and Yamaha R something or another will do these things.

So if I switched from the PS3 to something that didn't decode the codecs this is what I should do?

 

[WraithETC]

Specifically if you go to something that bitstreams the HD codecs through HDMI.

Some players can internally decode like the PS3 does and some players can internally decode and have analog outputs that are almost compatible with all multi channel receivers.

 

[marketsons1985]

Hmm. But if I'm planning to stick with the PS3 at least for a while, and only adding possibly a cable box or HTPC for music then I wouldn't need anything more than the 576 correct?

 

[WraithETC]

That's right. There may be cheaper options but I'm unaware of them.