So it seems that the Sony STR-DG810 is the absolute cheapest way to get a receiver that accepts the decoded Lossless sound through HDMI.

I know it doesn't decode, but since the PS3 and Toshiba players decode in the player, all is good.

You don't have to spend the extra $200 for the Onkyo 605.

Which is still generally believed to be the cheapest receiver to accept sound via HDMI, eventhough the Sony is much less.

Anyway, anyone have an 810?

So it seems that the Sony STR-DG810 is the absolute cheapest way to get a receiver that accepts the decoded Lossless sound through HDMI.

I know it doesn't decode, but since the PS3 and Toshiba players decode in the player, all is good.

You don't have to spend the extra $200 for the Onkyo 605.

Which is still generally believed to be the cheapest receiver to accept sound via HDMI, eventhough the Sony is much less.

Anyway, anyone have an 810?

Yes, I do and it works great with my PS3 and A2 player. The receiver does a very good job with the multichannel PCM that gets sent down to it by the players. This is a very cost-effective way to enjoy new audio. Nothing wrong with the Onkyo, they make solid stuff, but there is little audible gain for the extra $200 for the 605.

The 810 is a great mid-tier PCM receiver and it has THREE HDMI inputs to the Onkyos TWO HDMI inputs. That alone is a major consideration!

:)

I believe that the 605 decodes DTS-HD MA, which is the only way currently to get lossless sound from Fox discs. That's why it get talked about so much. Otherwise, there are cheaper receivers that can handle pcm over hdmi.

^^ In regards to DTS-HD MA, you can also get some Studio Canal discs that come with it. T2 and Total Recall have it. Sounds great by the way.

Cheers

This is a very cost-effective way to enjoy new audio. Nothing wrong with the Onkyo, they make solid stuff, but there is little audible gain for the extra $200 for the 605.
Especially with a PS3 or A2/A3, which can't send the bitstreams anyway.

If you're really worried about DTS-HD MA (mainly Fox BD), you need a bitstreaming player and decoding receiver.

did you guys notice a reasonable difference? The thing I hate most about regular dvds and HD disks is not being able to hear the voices separated from all the other sounds. I usually use the subtitles so I can read instead of try and guess what they are saying. Would upgrading to a new HDMI receiver help in this respect? I'm using 5.1 optical at the moment.

I have this receiver and I use it with my BDP-S1 set to output PCM. I like it a lot and I decided to get it for the same reasons that have been mentioned. It is a good interim solution -- or at least was for me -- until the next generation of receivers and players. This was money well spent to me.

did you guys notice a reasonable difference? The thing I hate most about regular dvds and HD disks is not being able to hear the voices separated from all the other sounds. I usually use the subtitles so I can read instead of try and guess what they are saying. Would upgrading to a new HDMI receiver help in this respect? I'm using 5.1 optical at the moment.

I do not use an HDMI receiver and do not have such problems. Look at your speaker placement and levels in your receiver. I have done away with the rear channels because of similar problems. Not saying they are not good to have, but many peoples rooms don't play nice with 5.1 set-ups.

Try unhooking the rears and maybe giving your center a little boost and see if that helps. I use 3.1, and plan on using it until I move into a house with a room more suitable for surround sound.:)