question about HD audio formats

[CMC79]

I've been doing a fair amount of reading, and I'm not sure I've got all of this information straight about the new HD audio formats.

The way I understand things is as follows: a receiver can get audio information that has already been decoded by the player in pcm format through HDMI. Or it can have raw information sent via bitstream to be decoded by the receiver. But no current players can bitstream this audio formats as I understand it, but they can decode it and send it through as pcm.

So, if one were looking for a new receiver to listen to these, do you have to buy one like the Onkyo 605 that has the nice little Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA logos on it, or will any receiver that supports multi channel pcm through HDMI suffice? My understanding is that if the HDMI revision is high enough to accept the multi-channel pcm, then if you're happy to let the player(s) do the decoding, then you don't need necessarily something like the 605 that has its own onboard decoder. (My question becomes--what difference does it make which one decodes it?) If that's the case, is there a quick and easy way to tell if the receiver can support the new formats through pcm?

So to be specific about things: I have a PS3 for BD and a HD-A2. The PS3 can decode the Dolby, but can only do the "core" of a DTS-MA (for the time being). The HD-A2 can do the same for HD DVD. Am I right about all of this, or am I hopelessly confused?

 

[gus6464]

Ok this is the way it works.

As of right now there are 3 players in the market for both hd-dvd and BD that will pass bitstream through the HDMI connection so that your receiver can decode it if you have an Onkyo 605/805/905 and the such. Those are the Panasonic DMP-BD30K, Toshiba HD-XA2 with latest firmware update, and Toshiba HD-A35. Those 3 will pass bitstream so that the receiver can decode TrueHD, DD+, and DTS-HD/MA.

Now since you have a PS3 and an A2 you can only do PCM which means that you have to rely on the player to decode the sound. A2 will only do TrueHD and PS3 does TrueHD and Uncompressed (for now). Now if you are looking to buy a receiver and do not plan on getting a player later that can allow for bitstream then any hdmi receiver will work like the Yamaha RX-V661 (one I would recommend). Otherwise the best receiver in your apparent price range is the Onkyo TX-SR605 although for about $300 more online you can get the 805 which adds better video upscaling and THX Ultra 2 Certification. Now if you don't plan on getting another player anytime soon the only reason I recommend the Yamaha over the hdmi 1.3 onkyo is because it has pre-outs just in case you want to add an amplifier later. But also if your tv supports deep color and 1080p/24 you need an hdmi 1.3 receiver like the Onkyo. And no receiver will be able to decode internally if you are passing the sound through PCM on the player.

 

[CMC79]

Would this work, if I were to let the players do the decoding? I have no plans for 7.1 because my living room is wired for 5.1, and 7.1 is probably impossible for me to install anyway.

 

[gus6464]

As long as the receiver passes sound through the hdmi yes. Some can only do video so I would definitely go to the store first and check it out. If the ports are hdmi 1.2 it will do it. I would order the receiver now to get the sale price and pick it up in the store. Then if you go to pick up tomorrow ask first and if it doesn't work just return it right there and then. So that at least you can jump on the $30 sale.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

OK, that's some great information up there... I'm still a little confused on some points though, maybe someone can help...

I have the Toshiba HD-A2 hooked up to a Pioneer Elite 81 receiver via HMDI. From what i read above, my HD player will NOT pass bitstream True HD to my receiver. Rather, it sends PCM. So this means my receiver will not have to decode True HD, correct? Because it won't get it in the first place. My receiver can't decode TrueHD anyway. So in my case... is my player decoding True HD and then sending it to the receiver as PCM? And then the receiver simply passes it on to the speakers (or does other processing as assigned)? And wth his PCM anyway? Am I still getting TrueHD or is it being converted to something else? I know when I watch HD Movies, my receiver displays "PCM" not TrueHD. What sound am I getting?

But where this gets confusing is that I am thinking of getting a newer receiver, the Elite VSX 92, which DOES decode True HD and DTS-HD. After reading above, I'm wondering if this is even something I should worry about since my HD-A2 is aparently doing the decoding. Would such a receiver upgrade be illogical then? Would this Elite 92 be more beneficial with a DVD player that passed Bitstream over the HDMI? Basically... I'm trying to avoid an $1100 mistake on a receiver that won't actually do anything above what I have now. But I just don't know.

 

[Shawn]

Check out this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=943558

It is a list of HDMI receivers and specs.

 

[vi edit]

*SIDE TANGENT*

I could be completely insane, but it seems like my receiver (H/K AVR-247) runs at a fraction of the temp if I let my PS3 do the decoding and pipe it down via PCM.

Prior to that I had an Xbox doing bitstream via optical and the receiver was doing the decoding. It seemed to run MUCH hotter to the touch when it had that extra work doing the encoding.

Is there really any truth to this? Seems like I'm better off letting the upstream device (DVD player/PS3/Ect) do the work and let the receiver concentrate on just driving the speakers.

 

[spidey07]

vi_edit,

I wouldn't worry about it. You probably have much more features/options/control by letting your receiver do the decoding.

 

[TheVrolok]

marked for reading later