Bitstream?

[wrigley]

I've been told that since the HDMI inputs on my receiver (Sony STR-DH500) do not support audio that in order to get the "true" surround sound effect from my blu-ray I need to set the blu-ray audio (through an optical cable) to Bitstream?

My Directv receiver audio out is also connected through an optical cable. The only audio settings I have on my directv receiver are PCM and DOLBY DIGITAL. I have it set to DOLBY DIGITAL. Does this mean that since I don't have a Bitstream setting on my Directv receiver that I CANNOT receive sound in surround sound from the TV? Thanks

Mike

[wutadumsn23]

Reading the specs on your AVR, it is true that your receiver does not carry HD audio via HDMI. You can use digital coax or digital optical to accomplish that. Your AVR does not decode the new HD codecs either (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA) but does support Dolby Digital. There are lots of arguments as to which is better (Bitstream or Linear PCM) and I myself use Linear PCM with my PS3, and it is great. Hook up your sources via optical or coax and call it a day. Keep it the way you have it, your direct tv box will still give you dolby digital surround on channels that support it. Hope this helps.

-Jeff

[wrigley]

Reading the specs on your AVR, it is true that your receiver does not carry HD audio via HDMI. You can use digital coax or digital optical to accomplish that. Your AVR does not decode the new HD codecs either (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA) but does support Dolby Digital. There are lots of arguments as to which is better (Bitstream or Linear PCM) and I myself use Linear PCM with my PS3, and it is great. Hook up your sources via optical or coax and call it a day. Keep it the way you have it, your direct tv box will still give you dolby digital surround on channels that support it. Hope this helps.

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff,

I'm guessing these are the latest and greatest in audio (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA)? And I'm also guessing that in order to receive/support this sound I would need to invest in a better receiver?

Mike

[wutadumsn23]

Yes Mike, you are correct, they are the latest and greatest in audio (for now, lol). They are exclusive to Blu Rays, so unless you have a BR player, you won't be able to take advantage of them anyway. I was going to suggest maybe investing in a newer/better AVR to be able to take advantage of the newer codecs, but as I also said, if you don't have a BR player, they will do you no good anyway.

Edit: I see in your first post that you have a BR player, however keep in mind that HDMI is the only way you can pass the new codecs to/through your AVR. Digital Optical and Digital Coax will not work. Long story short if you want the new HD audio, you have to upgrade your AVR.

-Jeff

[wrigley]

Yes Mike, you are correct, they are the latest and greatest in audio (for now, lol). They are exclusive to Blu Rays, so unless you have a BR player, you won't be able to take advantage of them anyway. I was going to suggest maybe investing in a newer/better AVR to be able to take advantage of the newer codecs, but as I also said, if you don't have a BR player, they will do you no good anyway.

Edit: I see in your first post that you have a BR player, however keep in mind that HDMI is the only way you can pass the new codecs to/through your AVR. Digital Optical and Digital Coax will not work. Long story short if you want the new HD audio, you have to upgrade your AVR.

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Now tell me about single remotes? I have 5 different remotes and aging eye site :) I need an "all in one" remote.

Mike

[wutadumsn23]

That one is easy. Hands down Logitech. Either the 880, 890 or Harmony One, depending if you need IR or not. The 890 is the only one that uses IR, but all 3 are solid remotes. They are a bit spendy, but I had an 880 and loved it, very easy to setup and you can tweak the options down to the smallest detail. Has programmable Macros so you can hit one button and it turns everything on and sets the devices to the desired/required channel/setting and you are in business. Programmable with a home computer and the included software in about 30 minutes.

-Jeff

[Knucklehead]

+1 on the 880.

[wrigley]

That one is easy. Hands down Logitech. Either the 880, 890 or Harmony One, depending if you need IR or not. The 890 is the only one that uses IR, but all 3 are solid remotes. They are a bit spendy, but I had an 880 and loved it, very easy to setup and you can tweak the options down to the smallest detail. Has programmable Macros so you can hit one button and it turns everything on and sets the devices to the desired/required channel/setting and you are in business. Programmable with a home computer and the included software in about 30 minutes.

-Jeff

Thank You sir! :)

Mike

[wrigley]

That one is easy. Hands down Logitech. Either the 880, 890 or Harmony One, depending if you need IR or not. The 890 is the only one that uses IR, but all 3 are solid remotes. They are a bit spendy, but I had an 880 and loved it, very easy to setup and you can tweak the options down to the smallest detail. Has programmable Macros so you can hit one button and it turns everything on and sets the devices to the desired/required channel/setting and you are in business. Programmable with a home computer and the included software in about 30 minutes.

-Jeff

Jeff,

Are these audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA) strictly for blu-ray and not Television?

Mike

[wrigley]

+1 on the 880.

Thanks Knucklehead! :)

Mike

[wutadumsn23]

Jeff,

Are these audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA) strictly for blu-ray and not Television?

Mike

Yes, they are exclusive to Blu Rays, the only thing you can get for TV is DD 5.1 on channels that support/broadcast in it.

-Jeff

[vc69]

Jeff,

Are these audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA) strictly for blu-ray and not Television?

Mike

That is correct. Television and cable broadcasts (in HD) will be DD 2.0/5.1.

[wrigley]

Yes, they are exclusive to Blu Rays, the only thing you can get for TV is DD 5.1 on channels that support/broadcast in it.

-Jeff

and by me not having an AVR that supports HDMI audio.......just how much (sound wise) am I missing from blu-ray movies?

[wutadumsn23]

I noticed a big difference when I watched my first Blu Ray with Dolby TrueHD, YMMV.

[wrigley]

I noticed a big difference when I watched my first Blu Ray with Dolby TrueHD, YMMV.

I guess it's the same as never having slept with Jennifer Anniston. If I don't know what I'm missing did I really miss it? ;)

Mike

[wutadumsn23]

I guess it's the same as never having slept with Jennifer Anniston. If I don't know what I'm missing did I really miss it? ;)

Mike

LOL, that is one way of putting it, but once you did sleep with her you would wonder why you never did it sooner. :D

-Jeff

[wrigley]

LOL, that is one way of putting it, but once you did sleep with her you would wonder why you never did it sooner. :D

-Jeff

Point well taken! :)

Mike

[tonyb]

Unless your avr has analog inputs and your blue ray player has analog outputs,then you can let the player do all the decoding to enjoy the new codecs from an older AVR without hdmi.

[wrigley]

Unless your avr has analog inputs and your blue ray player has analog outputs,then you can let the player do all the decoding to enjoy the new codecs from an older AVR without hdmi.

Tony from Chi-town! :) I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago.

OK........you are saying if I hook up the red and white plugs from the back of my blu-ray to the AVR that I will get better sound quality then having the optical cable hooked up?

Mike

[tonyb]

Tony from Chi-town! :) I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago.

OK........you are saying if I hook up the red and white plugs from the back of my blu-ray to the AVR that I will get better sound quality then having the optical cable hooked up?

Mike

That makes you a Sox fan.
No, what I'm saying is your Blu-ray player must have 5.1 analog outputs and your receiver must have 5.1 analog inputs. Some players only have 2 analog outputs for stereo left and right, you will not get the new codecs through those.

[jinjuku]

Tony from Chi-town! :) I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago.

OK........you are saying if I hook up the red and white plugs from the back of my blu-ray to the AVR that I will get better sound quality then having the optical cable hooked up?

Mike

No, with only the red and white you would only get stereo.

What you are looking for is a set of external inputs that would be labeled something like pre-in. There should be five of them...

[jinjuku]

Looked your Sony up and it doesn't have analog in. You are stuck with Dolby Digital and DTS.

[wrigley]

That makes you a Sox fan.
No, what I'm saying is your Blu-ray player must have 5.1 analog outputs and your receiver must have 5.1 analog inputs. Some players only have 2 analog outputs for stereo left and right, you will not get the new codecs through those.

Actually NO.....I'm a huge Cubbie fan. I even got WGN when I lived in Cuba for 5 years! :)

Mike

[wrigley]

Looked your Sony up and it doesn't have analog in. You are stuck with Dolby Digital and DTS.

I know. I jumped the gun when I bought that AVR. It's only about 3 months old. That explains why it was only $189.00.

Next time the wife leaves town on business, I'll sneak in a new AVR and she would know squat! :)

Mike

[tonyb]

Look at some HK refurbs, pretty cheap and will sound better.

As far as being a cubbie fan...I should have known by your screen name.

[wrigley]

Looked your Sony up and it doesn't have analog in. You are stuck with Dolby Digital and DTS.

I can pick this up new at NEWEGG for $299.00. I know it's better that what I have. What do you think?

Onkyo TX-SR507

Mike

[vc69]

I have a 606 and love it. I wish I had held out and spent a little more for the 70x series as it has preamp outputs.

I would really try to swing a 707.