Thread: Help with Blu-Ray/SACD player

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Post by Bill England October 24, 2010 (1 of 13)
I currently use a Pioneer DVD/SACD player with my basement system. This is hooked into an older Sony rear-projection HDTV. This older TV only has component video input and no HDMI input. I'm using an Onkyo receiver that has one set of 7.1 RCA plug audio inputs. I've been involved with AV for about 35 years, but the complexity of inputs and compatabilities is beginning to tax my intellect.

The Pioneer has component vido output and 5.1 RCA plug audio output, so it was relatively simple to connect this to the Onkyo and get both Dolby 5.1 sound with DVDs and enjoy SACDs.

The Pioneer has HDMI output. I found that if I ran the HDMI into the Onkyo receiver, it would not output the video via component. This is apparently part of the copy-protection built into HDMI. I may certainly be wrong about this.

I'd like to switch to a Blu-Ray player. The well-recommended Oppo 83 is not in production currently. I wouldn't mind being able to use NetFlix with this system.

I'm looking at the Sony BDP-S570. As noted on the forum, Sony has again added SACD capability to their players, bless their hearts. This is also Net-Flix wireless capable. My concern is about outputs.

It has HDMI output, but as I mentioned, my HDTV does not have this, so I need component video. The listed output specs are:

Inputs and OutputsAnalog Audio Output(s) : 2 Channel: 1 (Rear)
Coaxial Audio Digital Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
Composite Video Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
Ethernet Connection(s) : 1 (Rear)
HDMI™ Connection Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
Optical Audio Output(s) : 1 (Rear)
USB Port(s) : 2 (1 Rear/ 1 Front)

The photo on the Sony website confirms the component video output. It does NOT have 7.1 RCA audio plugs, but has coaxial and optical audio output intead. My Onkyo is compatible with that.

I recall reading that SACD audio may be obtained from HDMI or 5.1 RCA audio output jacks like my older Pioneer (which I know works!). It appears that I would have to use the coaxial or optical audio digital output. Will that allow 5.1 SACD playback and 5.1/7.1 audio from DVD and Blu-Ray?

I suppose one other option would be to run the HDMI output into the receiver for sound, and run the component video from the Sony Blu-Ray directly to the TV. However, I don't know if the player will output the video simultaneously to the HDMI and component outputs.

I've asked at a few retail outlets, but the clerks lack the knowledge and sophistication of this forum! Many thanks.

Likewise, if you prefer a different unit that would be compatible with the above system, let me know.

Post by Kal Rubinson October 24, 2010 (2 of 13)
You should not be contemplating using the coax/optical (digital) for SACD or BR as SACD spec precludes it and BR spec limits you to the non-HD tracks. You need to find a suitable player with multichannel analog (RCA) outputs.

As for using the HDMI for audio to your receiver and component to your old TV, that will depend on the Sony and I, too, do not know if it is possible. I suggest that you download the User's Manual from Sony and read it.

Kal

Post by The Seventh Taylor October 24, 2010 (3 of 13)
Kal is right. Coaxial/Optical digital out will not do 5.1 audio with SACD.

Regarding your Neflix wish, the upcoming Oppo BDP-90 looks like a good offer but I can't tell if it would address your connection issue.

Post by seth October 24, 2010 (4 of 13)
Bill England said:

I suppose one other option would be to run the HDMI output into the receiver for sound, and run the component video from the Sony Blu-Ray directly to the TV. However, I don't know if the player will output the video simultaneously to the HDMI and component outputs.

While almost any Blu-ray/DVD player will let you disable the audio on the HDMI out, I'd be shocked if any would let you do the opposite: disable the video.

Best thing to do is download the owner's manual. It should be posted on Sony's website. If it can be done, it will be in there.

Post by Bill England October 24, 2010 (5 of 13)
Thank you. I did access the owner's manual. It indeed appears that SACD will only be available via HDMI. My previous HDMI experience is that if I output HDMI to the receiver, the receiver will not output video to the TV via component (where I can use it with my HDTV). So, the key question is if the Sony BDP will simultaneously output video to HDMI and to the component jacks. The manual does not address this. I've emailed their tech support to see if I can get a clear answer.

Yeah, yeah. The simplest solution would be a newer HDTV with HDMI. For that price, I'll just listen to SACD and watch 480-rez DVD on my current setup!

Post by seth October 24, 2010 (6 of 13)
Bill England said:

Thank you. I did access the owner's manual. It indeed appears that SACD will only be available via HDMI. My previous HDMI experience is that if I output HDMI to the receiver, the receiver will not output video to the TV via component (where I can use it with my HDTV). So, the key question is if the Sony BDP will simultaneously output video to HDMI and to the component jacks. The manual does not address this. I've emailed their tech support to see if I can get a clear answer.

Yeah, yeah. The simplest solution would be a newer HDTV with HDMI. For that price, I'll just listen to SACD and watch 480-rez DVD on my current setup!

I think the way to do it is to run the component video to your TV and the HDMI to your receiver. Turn the TV on and set it to the component video port. Then turn your receiver on to the HDMI port. That will probably work.

BTW, a few Amazon sellers still have the OPPO BDP-83 in stock.

Post by Bill England October 25, 2010 (7 of 13)
I received a prompt response from Sony:

I'm glad to inform you that the Blu-ray Disc Player has the ability to output signals through HDMI and Component Video jacks at the same time. When connecting both HDMI and Component Video output, please select Output Video Format as Component Video in the Screen Settings of the Player.

Thank you for your time.

The Sony Email Response Team

Post by rammiepie October 25, 2010 (8 of 13)
A few things you might want to consider down the road......I am using an older Sony Projector which does 720p with component video output from my BD player. The projector is 10 years old and back then I paid over $8,000 for it. Recently, I had the good fortune of purchasing a discontinued but positively fantastic Meridian projector brand new for $5,650 (original list was $38,000!!!!!!!). Since I already have a Meridian in my main system all I can say is utilizing HDMI even for regular DVD upconversion to 1080p is absolutely incredible.....the older Sony cannot hold a candle to it and if one has a collection of DVD~Audios, even the many videos which accompanied them, upsampled, look simply amazing! Blu~Ray replication is out of the ballpark rivalling/surpassing even 50~65" perfectly calibrated plasma panels.

HDMI, at present, is more than a simplified connector........for video, it is absolutely essential!

Post by DSD October 25, 2010 (9 of 13)
None of my equipment is HDMI equipped and I was wondering how HDMI is better than Component video which carries up to 1080 other than using less cable? I still have a NTSC TV monitor and when it dies (that is if it does before I do) will replace it with HDTV.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video#cite_note-0

Post by Bill England October 25, 2010 (10 of 13)
For now, replacing the TV isn't in the cards. Does HDMI output actually provide a better image than component video output? I don't recall that there is a resolution difference, but make no claims of expertise in this area!

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