Thread: Dolby True HD connections

Posts: 8

Post by MDKMD August 5, 2008 (1 of 8)
I have an Anthem AVM 30 SSP (no HDMI), and the Denon 2930 DVD/SACD/DVD-A player, and the Sony BDP-S1 (with firmware upgrade to allow True HD audio streaming.) The Denon is connected via 6 channel audio cables to allow multi channel SACD playback. The Blu Ray is connected to the SSP via optical audio cable. Am I right in assuming that I am NOT getting true Dolby HD playback because the blu ray is not connected via analog audio 6 channel cables? If so, how can I get both multi channel SACD playback and Dolby True HD playback? Is there an external switcher, or can True HD be played through digital coax/optical? I may just have to wait for a blu ray player that can also play back SACD...

Post by The Seventh Taylor August 5, 2008 (2 of 8)
I'm not sure if 6 analog cables would get you Dolby TrueHD but the optical certainly will not. If you're very patient you could wait for an SACD-compatible BD player but you're probably better off buying a PS3.

Post by Philip Sawyer August 6, 2008 (3 of 8)
You can only get high resolution audio via HDMI or via analogue outputs, not by coaxial or optical connections. So you won't be getting Dolby TrueHD in your current setup. I have the same issue with not having enough multichannel analogue inputs on my amp, and I use two video switchboxes for switching audio (there may be six channel audio switchboxes, but I'm unaware of any) without any appreciable loss in quality. The boxes I use are these:

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4899567c042d45ac2742c0a87f9c06f6/Product/View/C2504

Each allows three cables to be input, so I use three cables from source 1 into input 1 on one box and the other three from source 1 into input 1 on the other box. The same cables from source 2 go into the respective connections for input 2. Getting all of the cables going into the right connections takes a bit of effort, but now all I need to do to change sources is to switch both boxes to the correct input. This product is Australian but there would be an equivalent in most countries.

Post by jakeroux August 6, 2008 (4 of 8)
Looks like this multichannel analog switch is available for around $450 USD. Of course, it’s only 5.1, so that won't help much with a 7.1 set up, but would at least give you two 5.1 inputs.

http://www.laaudiofile.com/mas3.html

(I have no experience with the product or any affiliation with it, just passing along the info.)

Just checked further and here is what is apparently the replacment model, that provides four multichannel switches for $250. Things may have changed further since this product was released.

http://www.hdtvsupply.com/zehdcoviswre.html

Post by FunkyMonkey August 6, 2008 (5 of 8)
MDKMD said:

I have an Anthem AVM 30 SSP (no HDMI), and the Denon 2930 DVD/SACD/DVD-A player, and the Sony BDP-S1 (with firmware upgrade to allow True HD audio streaming.) The Denon is connected via 6 channel audio cables to allow multi channel SACD playback. The Blu Ray is connected to the SSP via optical audio cable. Am I right in assuming that I am NOT getting true Dolby HD playback because the blu ray is not connected via analog audio 6 channel cables? If so, how can I get both multi channel SACD playback and Dolby True HD playback? Is there an external switcher, or can True HD be played through digital coax/optical? I may just have to wait for a blu ray player that can also play back SACD...

Has the Sony BDP-S1 actually got 5.1 (or 7.1) analogue output?

Post by FunkyMonkey August 6, 2008 (6 of 8)
MDKMD said:

I have an Anthem AVM 30 SSP (no HDMI), and the Denon 2930 DVD/SACD/DVD-A player, and the Sony BDP-S1 (with firmware upgrade to allow True HD audio streaming.) The Denon is connected via 6 channel audio cables to allow multi channel SACD playback. The Blu Ray is connected to the SSP via optical audio cable. Am I right in assuming that I am NOT getting true Dolby HD playback because the blu ray is not connected via analog audio 6 channel cables? If so, how can I get both multi channel SACD playback and Dolby True HD playback? Is there an external switcher, or can True HD be played through digital coax/optical? I may just have to wait for a blu ray player that can also play back SACD...

Has the Sony BDP-S1 actually got 5.1 (or 7.1) analogue output?

Post by Philip Sawyer August 6, 2008 (7 of 8)
FunkyMonkey said:

Has the Sony BDP-S1 actually got 5.1 (or 7.1) analogue output?

Yes it does have 5.1, as per the image. It doesn't play SACD or even CD though. Also it doesn't decode DTS-HD or DTS-HD MA. So the best you can get through the analogue outputs is Dolby TrueHD decoded to PCM or the DTS core. Further, it is HDMI v1.2 so it will never be able to bitstream the new audio formats via HDMI if the OP gets a new receiver.

To get the full audio advantages of the new audio formats the OP will need to replace both this machine and his receiver. If the higher rez audio isn't a priority it would be advisable to wait until prices drop.

Post by MDKMD August 9, 2008 (8 of 8)
Philip Sawyer said:

Yes it does have 5.1, as per the image. It doesn't play SACD or even CD though. Also it doesn't decode DTS-HD or DTS-HD MA. So the best you can get through the analogue outputs is Dolby TrueHD decoded to PCM or the DTS core. Further, it is HDMI v1.2 so it will never be able to bitstream the new audio formats via HDMI if the OP gets a new receiver.

To get the full audio advantages of the new audio formats the OP will need to replace both this machine and his receiver. If the higher rez audio isn't a priority it would be advisable to wait until prices drop.

Sony has issued firmware updates in which they claim that the BDP S1 will decode Dolby True HD and DTS HD. So if I use an external a5.1 or 7.1 audio switcher, I think I can then get multichannel SACD from the Denon and True HD/DTS HD from the BDP S1 by using the 6 analog audio connections (if I understand correctly).

If the Sony does not decode Dolby true HD/dtshd to true 5.1 sound, then I guess I would need to replace just the Blu Ray player and get the outboard audio switcher...

thanks.

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