HD Audio Decoding

SK1979

Hi guys

I was hoping that someone might be able to clear something up for me that has me confused. I'm hoping to get my first home cinema system over the coming weeks. Unfortunately due to the current climate, I'm scaling back my planned purchases. However, I've set my heart on an Onkyo 506 and Tannoy SFX 5.1 set of speakers.

My question is I've read that the Onkyo 506 wont be able to decode all the latest HD audio tracks etc from Blu Ray discs, does that mean that I cant get surround sound at all for blu rays? I'd be no expert so I'd imagine if I could get normal surround (and not the latest HD audio tracks), I'd hardly notice a difference? Oh, my blu ray player is the Panasonic BD35 which I understand also cant decode that HD audio, is that correct does anyone know?

Sorry for all the questions, I hope that someone can help. :pac:

Idleater

SK1979 wrote: »

Oh, my blu ray player is the Panasonic BD35 which I understand also cant decode that HD audio, is that correct does anyone know?

From the online spec it says it does decode HD audio internally. I can't see any rear images, but if it has the 7.1 RCA analogue outputs then you can feed them to the analogue multi-input on the 506.

If it doesn't then you will need an amp that will decode either HDMI HD audio from bitstream or LPCM, and for this you will need at least the onkyo 556 for the latter or 606 for the former.

L.

SK1979

nereid wrote: »

From the online spec it says it does decode HD audio internally. I can't see any rear images, but if it has the 7.1 RCA analogue outputs then you can feed them to the analogue multi-input on the 506.

If it doesn't then you will need an amp that will decode either HDMI HD audio from bitstream or LPCM, and for this you will need at least the onkyo 556 for the latter or 606 for the former.

L.

Thanks for the reply Nereid. I'm actually going to answer the questions I raised myself as I was stupidly wrong initially. The BD35 can decode all HD audio formats itself and will pass LPCM via HDMI.

Also, just to answer what you raised, it doesn't have the old analogue outputs, so only way to get HD Audio is over HDMI.

Apologies again, and thanks for your time.

big_moe

that amp (506) cant process audio via HDMI. you'd have to connect your BD35 with optical and you would get a regular surround sound track (dolby digital etc). to take advantage of the FAR better audio blu ray can offer (dolby trueHD etc), i'd recommend you get an amp that can process the audio via HDMI, onkyo 606. it might be a bit more of a stretch but the extra cash is well worth it for proper HD audio

adam

Idleater

big_moe wrote: »

i'd recommend you get an amp that can process the audio via HDMI, onkyo 606.

According to the manual, the onkyo 576 supports multichannel LPCM. I'm sure if that is available here it is cheaper than the 606.

The Ritz

You could consider going for the Sony STR DG820 instead of the Onkyo - it's a little over £30 dearer than the Onkyo from Richersounds - http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct/SONY-STRDG820-BLK, the extra spend is not excessive in the context of you overall budget. It will decode HD audio for you, has been well received by reviewers and I doubt you would be disappointed.

Ritz.