View Full Version : Major Blu-Ray Audio Question From Blu-Ray Virgin
EdwardGein
12-05-2008, 10:01 AM
I haven't been on this board for ages so hello to any old friends still here. I appologize in advance for asking a question that's probably been discussed to death but as I'm totally unfamiliar I'll ask again. I'm thinking of getting Panasonic DMP-BD35K 1080p Blu-ray Player
which has gotten fantastic reviews and is only $239. My question is, my 7,1 Denon Receiver
which I love (Denon 3801) does not get HDMI audio (for video I'd be plugging the HDMI cable right into the back of my HDTV). The guy I spoke to from Panasonic said that I could still get
good audio via my Optical Cable and the same 5.1/7.1 surround sound as my regular DVD player but I would not get Tru HD sound but he said the difference in audio quality was not that significant or noticeable. Is this correct? Essentially I do not want to buy another receiver just so I can get HDMI audio sound or Tru HD sound if the difference isn;t night and day. Can anyone help me out on this. Thanks
kexodusc
12-05-2008, 10:20 AM
I haven't been on this board for ages so hello to any old friends still here. I appologize in advance for asking a question that's probably been discussed to death but as I'm totally unfamiliar I'll ask again. I'm thinking of getting Panasonic DMP-BD35K 1080p Blu-ray Player
which has gotten fantastic reviews and is only $239. My question is, my 7,1 Denon Receiver
which I love (Denon 3801) does not get HDMI audio (for video I'd be plugging the HDMI cable right into the back of my HDTV). The guy I spoke to from Panasonic said that I could still get
good audio via my Optical Cable and the same 5.1/7.1 surround sound as my regular DVD player but I would not get Tru HD sound but he said the difference in audio quality was not that significant or noticeable. Is this correct? Essentially I do not want to buy another receiver just so I can get HDMI audio sound or Tru HD sound if the difference isn;t night and day. Can anyone help me out on this. Thanks
Hey buddy. Long time no see.
The dude that told you "the difference in audio quality was not that significant or noticeable" should be punched in the testicles. Twice. Long story short, the difference between optical audio and the Dolby True HD etc is way way way bigger than the difference between Dolby Digital and DTS. It's night and day. It's amazing. You have a good system that will reap the benefits of those audio formats. Use them.
However, all is not lost. There are affordable models that have 7.1 analog audio outputs that will allow for the delivery of the new hi-rez audio formats to your nice Denon receiver.
If you're going to spend that much on a BluRay player, you might as well spend the extra $50-$100 or whatever to get the audio benefits as well. Look for sales. Get a 2nd job. Sell porno to kids. Whatever it takes. You will drive yourself nuts after the fact always wondering what your missing if you don't. If you didn't care about audio quality then you wouldn't be on this forum.
I've heard these audio formats for myself, and since I only have a PS3 for BluRay, I am getting a new receiver/processor to use my HDMI cables for audio. And I can't wait for it.
Rich-n-Texas
12-05-2008, 10:20 AM
Speaking for myself Edward, the difference between say Dolby Digital and Dolby TrueHD is very noticeable. When you say your Denon doesn't output HDMI audio I assume it's because it's not version 1.3, but I could be wrong. Yes an optical cable will transfer multi-channel audio to your speakers. There are some reviews here about exactly that Panny BD player so take some time and look around.
Good to see you around here again. There was never a dull moment like what we have here these days.
Rich-n-Texas
12-05-2008, 10:30 AM
Umm... I posted before kex did, FYI... :crazy:
EdwardGein
12-05-2008, 10:37 AM
Thanks for the info Guys! I've kind of toned down my act in recent years and I want to apologize if I was really obnoxious to anyone previously. Is there any receiver you guys would recommend for Dolby True HD Sound that I'd be playing in an apartment with 5.1 system
(Orb Mod 1). I'm not convinced that I'd get the same sweet sound for my CDS and digital TV so I may wind up using 2 receivers, however retarded that sounds. Anyway, I'd appreciate any recommendations. Whistles and Bells aren't that important. I'll be checking out the reviews now.
OT: I still have my Jolida JD-100A Tube CD player which I love, played through a Musical Fidelity X-10 V3 Tube Buffer through my Denon Receiver and Orb Mod 1 Speakers & Sub and am extremely happy with it. The one thing I notice though is that it seems my audio sound
for the same CD changes day by day perhaps through the electricity's power in my building. I thought this was my imagination but it isn't. Anyway, appreciate any receiver recommendations. Thanks again for the info on the sound.
kexodusc
12-05-2008, 10:46 AM
Thanks for the info Guys! I've kind of toned down my act in recent years and I want to apologize if I was really obnoxious to anyone previously. Is there any receiver you guys would recommend for Dolby True HD Sound that I'd be playing in an apartment with 5.1 system
(Orb Mod 1). I'm not convinced that I'd get the same sweet sound for my CDS and digital TV so I may wind up using 2 receivers, however retarded that sounds. Anyway, I'd appreciate any recommendations. Whistles and Bells aren't that important. I'll be checking out the reviews now.
Dude, you don't NEED a 2nd receiver to get Dolby True HD. You can just buy a BluRay player that has 7.1 analog output connections on the back, and the necessary built in decoder, then use RCA cables to carry the signal. That's the cheapest, easiest, best option for you, especially if you really like your current receiver and don't want get rid of it.
That would be way more practical than getting a 2nd receiver with HDMI. Do NOT wire your speakers to 2 different receivers!
EdwardGein
12-05-2008, 11:03 AM
According to the guy from Panasonic unless the receiver can process/decode true audio
then I won't get true audio sound. Are you saying, that I can connect from the blu-ray player
5 analog cables and 1 sub cable assuming it has this connection to my Denon receiver and I would still get the same True HD Sound?
Or am I totally misunderstanding you?
RoadRunner6
12-05-2008, 11:25 AM
Edward, you need to be looking at the Panny DMP-BD55K. Both it and the 35K were reviewed at the same time in the December issue of Home Theater Magazine (should be online soon). You will need to hook it up to your receiver via analog jacks. The bass management in the 55 is not as good as your receiver (I think it is limited to a crossover at 100Hz...maybe that is OK for your Orb's) but it does decode the True HD. The 55 is about $100 more ($327 at Amazon).
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BD55K-1080p-Blu-Ray-Player/dp/B001GAOYCI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1228504858&sr=8-1
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Video/Blu-ray-Disc-Players/model.DMP-BD55K_11002_7000000000000005702
RR6
Rich-n-Texas
12-05-2008, 11:39 AM
So what you're saying here RR6 is that because the 55K does decode True HD, all he has to do is connect the 5.1 analog out cables from the Blu-ray to the input of the 3801 receiver and he'll hear Dobly True HD through his speakers. Is that correct? I think this is what he's wanting to know.
kexodusc
12-05-2008, 11:40 AM
According to the guy from Panasonic unless the receiver can process/decode true audio
then I won't get true audio sound. Are you saying, that I can connect from the blu-ray player
5 analog cables and 1 sub cable assuming it has this connection to my Denon receiver and I would still get the same True HD Sound?
Or am I totally misunderstanding you?
Yeah, if the unit decodes Dolby True HD or can output lossless PCM over analog then you don't need HDMI and don't need to buy a new receiver. I'm sure the cost of even an entry level HDMI receiver would be more than a capable BluRay player. That would seem to be the better solution here. I'm open to arguments on the contrary...
EdwardGein
12-05-2008, 11:42 AM
Oh, so the 35 doesn't have the analog outputs but the 55 does and that will get me true HD sound even though the receiver doesn't have a true HD processer. Is that it? Will that be noticeably different from the sound of True Audio via HDMI into a receiver that processes True HD?
Rich-n-Texas
12-05-2008, 11:51 AM
When you use the analog in jacks on your receiver, the receiver does no processing, but instead simply passes it to the amp section as is. This means True HD in ===> True HD out.
RoadRunner6
12-05-2008, 11:58 AM
Yes, that is the main diff between the two models. The 35 is for those with newer receivers that have an HDMI input and decode True HD. The 55 is for those who have an older receiver without HDMI. The 55 has the in-player decoders and then sends the signal to the receiver via multichannel analog RCA. The digital audio outputs (toslink or coax) on the 35 will send the Dolby Digital audio but not the True HD which requires more bandwidth and thus needs the HDMI or 5.1/7.1 analog. The sound should be exactly the same on the True HD via either method. The only problem is that the 55K has limited bass management and I think only one crossover point at 100Hz. Go to Panasonic USA and download and read the owner's manual or get the Dec. issue of HT Mag to be sure on the crossover.
EdwardGein
12-05-2008, 12:20 PM
Yeah Rich-n-Texas summed it up " So what you're saying here RR6 is that because the 55K does decode True HD, all he has to do is connect the 5.1 analog out cables from the Blu-ray to the input of the 3801 receiver and he'll hear Dobly True HD through his speakers. Is that correct? I think this is what he's wanting to know."
I don't think the crossover is going to be that much of a problem. So we're saying in conclusion with the analog set up it will sound the same as Tru Audio except possibly the subwoofer won't be as good? Can I use any regular analog cables for this set up or do these have to be special analog cables? Any specific cables you guys would recommend?
I appreciate you educating me on this. Weird thing is, on my Harmon Kardon 31 DVD player I've always considered the picture excellent and I just can't imagine how a picture could look that much better but I guess you guys all know. Thanks again for all your help.
Rich-n-Texas
12-05-2008, 12:33 PM
...Can I use any regular analog cables for this set up or do these have to be special analog cables? Any specific cables you guys would recommend?
I've been told in the past that as long as each cable is the same length, it doesn't really matter what cables you use. I'd say if your cables need to be more than say, three feet in length, buy quality cables. www.bluejeanscable.com (http://www.bluejeanscable.com) sells matched length cables for this purpose. As a matter of fact: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/6channel/index.htm
I appreciate you educating me on this. Weird thing is, on my Harmon Kardon 31 DVD player I've always considered the picture excellent and I just can't imagine how a picture could look that much better but I guess you guys all know. Thanks again for all your help.
No problem! :thumbsup:
RoadRunner6
12-05-2008, 02:05 PM
You're correct Edward except that I would state more correctly that the limited crossover could affect the satellite to sub blend, although on the Orb's, 100 Hz might be OK. The crossover in the receiver is undoubtedly more fleixble but not useable in this instance.
Any quality RCA cable is fine. I use these for my amp and they are excellent quality and very inexpensive but a little on the stiff side. Got mine in two days. You can pull them apart if you need a single. Be sure to keep the ends correct, I used masking tape to mark the channels since you'll repeat white and red.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021803&p_id=2864&seq=1&format=2 (they have them in diff lengths, look under audio cables - RCA)
You don't say what dipslay you have. You will see a definite difference in the video quality on Blu-Ray discs. Rent one with a highly rated video (5 stars) like Priates of the Caribean, Dead Man's Chest and you will be impressed. I did this with both the regular DVD and the Blu-Ray DVD of the same movie for comparison (switched back and forth). The improvement is well worth it.
I have an older Denon receiver (no HDMI) that I'm using as my pre/pro. I just purchased the Panny DMP-BD55K and have it connected to the Denon via 5.1 analog cables. It sounds awesome!
FWIW, I paid $299 for the BD55K at Best Buy at the end of October. But that was due to a $100 off deal I had. The price has probably dropped from the original $399 as it had just come out at that time, but I don't know that for sure. It's a great player, and actually has 7.1 analog outputs if your receiver is so equipped.
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