1. What happened? The current 1.2 spec also transports DVD-Audio and SACD streams so is there any players that can currently do this?

2. And what about the receivers that are set up for HDMI 1.2? Can they decode SACD and DVD-Audio?

"I'm thinking" what I need to do is get a new audio/receiver that does HDMI 1.3 so I can take advantage of the new audio formats Blu-ray can provide. THEN make sure it's either a Dennon or Pioneer receiver that has either "DENON LINK III" or Pioneer's ILink so I can take advantage of a duel player that can output a multichannel audio format that one of those receivers can accecpt via a easy connection.

It's been a while since I've updated my audio/video gear. Is this the correct way of thinking or is there another direction I'm not aware of?

Thanks!

I don't think HDMI 1.3 does anything that a multichannel output can't do. I would think as long as you buy an HDDVD or Bluray player that decodes DTS Master HD or True DD HD, then you can use your six channel input in your receiver for the high res audio formats. The uncompressed lossless audio can go this route also.

If you can play DVD-A/SACD with your current interconnect, I would keep that setup as future Bluray and HDDVD players are unlikely to support these formats.

I think HDMI 1.3 can support some truer color technologies that are not yet available and that is the only advantage.

Unfortunitly, I don't have a six channel input on my preamp. The only way I've been able to hear 5.1 audio is via the 5.1 Dolby Digital track from a DVD-Audio disc. I don't even have a SACD player.

Currently I don't have a "interconnect" type of connection. That's why I'm thinking of getting a duel player with a receiver that is compatable with it's own brand name dual player.

In my case, I would like the new receiver to do all of the decoding of all of these new audio formats found on Blu-ray since HDMI 1.3 can support all of those. At the same time, it would be nice for it to be able to have a "interconnect" type connection for a dual high resolution audio disc player.

I was wondering if there is a dual high resolution player that can pass the multichannel signal via HDMI 1.2 so that any receiver with HDMI 1.2 or 1.3 could use it.

Unfortunitly, I don't have a six channel input on my preamp. The only way I've been able to hear 5.1 audio is via the 5.1 Dolby Digital track from a DVD-Audio disc. I don't even have a SACD player.

Currently I don't have a "interconnect" type of connection. That's why I'm thinking of getting a duel player with a receiver that is compatable with it's own brand name dual player.

In my case, I would like the new receiver to do all of the decoding of all of these new audio formats found on Blu-ray since HDMI 1.3 can support all of those. At the same time, it would be nice for it to be able to have a "interconnect" type connection for a dual high resolution audio disc player.

I was wondering if there is a dual high resolution player that can pass the multichannel signal via HDMI 1.2 so that any receiver with HDMI 1.2 could use it.

Yes. Receivers like the Onkyo 805 can not only support native decode of all the HD formats but also support DSD (Native SACD). The touble is finding a suitable source, currently there are no Blu/HD players that will output hires audio bitstream (Augustish this should change) and the only DVD player I know of that outputs SACD is the Pioneer 600 mentioned earlier and its upcoming higher quality sibling, the LX50.

Yes. Receivers like the Onkyo 805 can not only support native decode of all the HD formats but also support DSD (Native SACD). The touble is finding a suitable source, currently there are no Blu/HD players that will output hires audio bitstream (Augustish this should change) and the only DVD player I know of that outputs SACD is the Pioneer 600 mentioned earlier and its upcoming higher quality sibling, the LX50.

I have a tangential question. I noticed the PS3 offers a bitstream option under audio settings. Is this not a "true" dsd source?

Yes. Receivers like the Onkyo 805 can not only support native decode of all the HD formats but also support DSD (Native SACD). The touble is finding a suitable source, currently there are no Blu/HD players that will output hires audio bitstream (Augustish this should change) and the only DVD player I know of that outputs SACD is the Pioneer 600 mentioned earlier and its upcoming higher quality sibling, the LX50.


I have a Denon 2930CI universal player connected to a Denon 3806 receiver with the Denon link 3rd Edition connector. This setup allows for full specification digital transfer (i.e. with DSD) of the audio content of SACD's. The receiver is HDMI ver 1.1 whereas I understand that the OPPO 980H player requires HDMI ver 1.2 to transmit DSD. I didn't want to purchase another receiver with HDMI 1.2 just for DSD capability, so the best choice for me was to acquire the Denon 2930. DSD from my Denon player sounds richer and fuller versus SACD from my Playstation 3. Besides having my display on all the time to control the PS3 was annoying.

Unfortunitly, I don't have a six channel input on my preamp. The only way I've been able to hear 5.1 audio is via the 5.1 Dolby Digital track from a DVD-Audio disc. I don't even have a SACD player.

Currently I don't have a "interconnect" type of connection. That's why I'm thinking of getting a duel player with a receiver that is compatable with it's own brand name dual player.

In my case, I would like the new receiver to do all of the decoding of all of these new audio formats found on Blu-ray since HDMI 1.3 can support all of those. At the same time, it would be nice for it to be able to have a "interconnect" type connection for a dual high resolution audio disc player.

I was wondering if there is a dual high resolution player that can pass the multichannel signal via HDMI 1.2 so that any receiver with HDMI 1.2 or 1.3 could use it.

The current spec for HD-DVD requires HD audio to be decoded in player and output as PCM over analog or HDMI 1.1. Once BD adds secondary audio to its spec it may have to do the same. So, having the ability to decode these in receiver is useless for the foreseeable future. The forthcoming Oppo 980H is HDMI 1.2 comliant and will pass DVD-Audio as PCM over HDMI and SACD as either PCM or DSD over HDMI.

Another plug for the Oppo Digital DV-980H player. I'm getting that one myself. Cheap answer to a DVD-Audio and SA-CD transport. It outputs decoded multi-channel PCM and pure DSD bitstreams via HDMI after lossless decoding of MLP from DVD-Audio and DST from SA-CD respectively inside the player.

I have a tangential question. I noticed the PS3 offers a bitstream option under audio settings. Is this not a "true" dsd source?

Actually the setting is called "bit mapping" and unfortunately neither this nor any other setting will enable direct DSD output from PS3. For the time being we have to live with hi-res PCM output via HDMI (or use an SACD player that does support DSD out). There's a FAQ about SACD on PS3 at http://www.ps3sacd.com/faq.html

Although both HDMI 1.2 and 1.3 CAN support DSD streams, I know of no receiver that provides DSD via HDMI decoding; yet. The latest Oppo player sports HDMI 1.2 and provides DSD output over its HDMI output. If and when a receiver to TV appears with DSD via HDMI decoding you will be all set with that player. I don't know if the PS3 supports DSD output even though it sports HDMI 1.3. Look for the features supported by the hardware and ignore the HDMI version number.

Richard

Although both HDMI 1.2 and 1.3 CAN support DSD streams, I know of no receiver that provides DSD via HDMI decoding; yet. The latest Oppo player sports HDMI 1.2 and provides DSD output over its HDMI output. If and when a receiver to TV appears with DSD via HDMI decoding you will be all set with that player. I don't know if the PS3 supports DSD output even though it sports HDMI 1.3. Look for the features supported by the hardware and ignore the HDMI version number.

Richard

Yes, look for the feature supported by the hardware and ignore the HDMI version number.

No, there are actually a few receivers that decodes DSD over HDMI around. Marantz SR7001/8001 along with Onkyo 805 can all decode DSD over HDMI. Integra DTC 9.8 pre/pro can also decode DSD over HDMI.

I would wait till CEDIA before pulling the trigger on receiver or pre/pro purchases.

Yes, look for the feature supported by the hardware and ignore the HDMI version number.

No, there are actually a few receivers that decodes DSD over HDMI around. Marantz SR7001/8001 along with Onkyo 805 can all decode DSD over HDMI. Integra DTC 9.8 pre/pro can also decode DSD over HDMI.

I would wait till CEDIA before pulling the trigger on receiver or pre/pro purchases.

It's more than just decoding DSD. If you really want to use DSD, your receiver needs DACs that support DSD. This was you get a straight DSD to analog conversion. Some receivers convert the DSD to PCM and then send it to the DACs, which is no different than converting to PCM in the player.

Although both HDMI 1.2 and 1.3 CAN support DSD streams, I know of no receiver that provides DSD via HDMI decoding; yet. The latest Oppo player sports HDMI 1.2 and provides DSD output over its HDMI output. If and when a receiver to TV appears with DSD via HDMI decoding you will be all set with that player. I don't know if the PS3 supports DSD output even though it sports HDMI 1.3. Look for the features supported by the hardware and ignore the HDMI version number.

Richard

The newline of Onkyo and Integra receivers and Integra DTC 9.8 will receive and decode DSD without conversion. Right now!

It's more than just decoding DSD. If you really want to use DSD, your receiver needs DACs that support DSD. This was you get a straight DSD to analog conversion. Some receivers convert the DSD to PCM and then send it to the DACs, which is no different than converting to PCM in the player.

This is what's in the Integra DTC 9.8 and Onkyo 905 . BB 1796


http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/pcm1796.html


This is what's inside the Denon 4308


http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/pcm1791a.html

The newline of Onkyo and Integra receivers and Integra DTC 9.8 will receive and decode DSD without conversion. Right now!
What players will output bitstream via HDMI?

I currently have a pioneer vsx74 iirc is hdmi 1.1 , im using the pioneer elite dv79avi which i also think is hdmi 1.1 , would it be possible to use dsd from the 79 to the 74, or is Ilink the only route..

What players will output bitstream via HDMI?
The Oppo DV-980H

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp

I currently have a pioneer vsx74 iirc is hdmi 1.1 , im using the pioneer elite dv79avi which i also think is hdmi 1.1 , would it be possible to use dsd from the 79 to the 74, or is Ilink the only route..
No, you need HDMI 1.2a or "higher" version. Yes Ilink is your only way with those.