Video Asylum

High Resolution Audio and HDMI 1.3 [Ultimate AV]

204.131.179.1

4season

I found this article which should be helpful to anyone wanting to take advantage of the lossless audio tracks contained on HD DVD (especially) and Blu-Ray disks.

In brief, none of the players tested could output TrueHD or DTS HD Master Audio via HDMI, possibly due to a limitation in the HDMI 1.3 chips used!

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/features/807hdmi13/ (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

"neither of these designations ever appeared in the front window of the Onkyo receive" - Duilawyer 20:02:22 08/27/07 (4)
wow.
- Nevertheless, 2nd gen Toshibas deliver lossless and 3rd-gen specifically support it - 4season 08:52:16 08/28/07 (3)
  Kind of an interesting roundabout way the 2nd-gen Toshibas do it; by transcoding to another lossless format before sending it to the receiver: It does suggest a satisfactory workaround for all those other players that can't be made to deliver TrueHD or HD Master Audio directly due to hardware limitations. The 3rd-gen Toshibas specifically mention TrueHD via HDMI but given the above, I don't know if I can make the case to buy a new HD-A35!
  - All this uncertainty with audio decoding, HDMI, format wars etc... - oscar 20:26:34 08/28/07 (2)
    Looks like I may have to wait until 2009 before deciding on an HD media source player and preamp/processor upgrade... The Stopgap first generation dual player should (hopefully) keep me happy until they sort out this mess.
    - The LG Appears To Be One Of The Better Players Though - Robertc88 05:55:59 08/29/07 (1)
      Other than DTS HD MA which no player can resolve and one gets the core DTS track, everything else doesn't appear to be an issue accessing the audio tracks on the discs (at least keeping HDMI out of the equation)
      
      I would assume using the analog outputs that one gets a much better experience than just going through optical and getting DD, DTS, or 2.0 PCM.
      - On non-lossless material, I still use the digital coax. - oscar 06:21:46 08/29/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: The LG Appears To Be One Of The Better Players Though posted by Robertc88 on August 29, 2007 at 05:55:59
        
        DTS 1.5M core is actually quite good, usually much better than anything available with DVD playback.
        
        The analog output bass level to the subwoofer is lacking with the LG, even when I boost the output by using the preamp trims; it can only "trim" (or untrim) so much.
        
        I also have some system issues: inefficient speakers combined with uncompressed dynamic swings at HT (aka loud) sound levels is very trying on the amps.
Good argument for analog out (nt) - Jack G 16:02:49 08/27/07 (8)
.
- Looks That Way For My Case - Robertc88 18:35:29 08/27/07 (6)
  That's what you recommended me doing back in an earlier thread. There is a decent amount of BD players on the market at least with that connection capability for the audio. The Sony 300 is now what I'm leaning towards.
  
  It's nice to have a resource like this to hash things through. Those blank stares I got when I inquired about SACD back when at B&M stores is nothing compared to what I've been experiencing talking audio connections with high def players with some of those employees! Yikes!
  - BDP-S300 alas - 4season 20:03:15 08/27/07 (3)
    Robert, you might want to read the BDP-300 review (by the same person) because it sounds like the best audio you can get from it is via HDMI, even though said HDMI is only version 1.2
    - http://ultimateavmag.com/hddiscplayers/707sonys300/index.html (Open in New Window)
    - You'd be able to play uncompressed PCM on the 5.1 outputs. - oscar 10:28:34 08/28/07 (1)
      I'm a little bit surprised it won't decode TrueHD.
      - I Suppose The Way To Go Is Try A Player - Robertc88 11:32:50 08/28/07 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: You'd be able to play uncompressed PCM on the 5.1 outputs. posted by oscar on August 28, 2007 at 10:28:34
        
        I'm not going to know the difference in the sound I'm getting now using the Denon 3803 with SD DVD through coaxial for DD and DTS until I try one of these BD players with 5.1 analog outputs. The PS3 isn't going to give me that opportunity given what I have.
    - I'm Not Inclined To Adopt Just For Improved Picture Quality - Robertc88 06:33:04 08/28/07 (0)
      I'll only be running 1080i for that in the beginning.
      
      Do I think though one would get improvement using the multi analog connection for the audio (I'm currently using coaxial to the Denon 3803 AVR for SD DVD). I may end up holding off though until I can either get the proper equipment necessary for high def or what becomes available in the future with these players will allow better access to advanced audio tracks.
      
      Thanks for the info!
  - I browsed through a Sony store just for grins... - oscar 18:44:11 08/27/07 (1)
    and started a conversation with someone trying to sell me a BD player. He obviously didn't understand the nuances of analog audio via either the source player or the receiver. Next time, maybe I'll bring in a block diagram to help edumacate some clueless sales (aka ex shoe salesmen) folks.
    - Oh no......................... - Kal Rubinson 19:24:23 08/27/07 (0)
      Don't educate them. It's too much fun confounding them.
      
      Kal
- Except they claim none of the current set of players will decode DTS HD MA. - oscar 16:27:05 08/27/07 (0)
  and halfway sorta implies they may never be able to do it; Except the $2000 Denon claims to be able to do it.
  
  Analog out works in my system, so if they can't get the HDMI to work properly, no big loss . Looks like the Toshiba can pass decoded TrueHD via HDMI.
  
  My question is how well does HDMI pass 24/96 5.1 audio (either in PCM or undecoded TrueHD or DTS HD MA bitstream)?
I wonder how sure the reviewers are they were using the latest firmware - Jazz Inmate 15:47:50 08/27/07 (0)
Either way, that's discouraging news.
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"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back." -Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982)

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