with panny bd30, denon 2803 and a 50" HP 1080i plasma -

when selecting audio tracks - only 5.1 dd -ex was "selectable" - 7.1 pcm was not -

why ?

was it because my settings (audio portion on bd 30) were set to bitstream ?

Are you using HDMI or component cables?

Wolfie

hmdi direct to display - 2803 is hdmi-less

What connection are you making to your amp? HDMI or optical?

optical

optical

Audio out via optical or coax I would think would allow you to send the PCM soundtrack, but it would be downconverted to the core 2 channel soundtrack...I'm not a fan of the 2 channel version of uncompressed (at least how my Arcam handles it using the DLPIIx for a 7.1 set up), so I always use the DD soundtracks when available. Which I did w/Yuma.

I'll try the 7.1 and see what happens. I could be missing something in my answer above...but it does seem strange that it wouldn't pass the core soundtrack?

Ron

I have 3:10 To Yuma and previewed it yesterday. I played it on a PS3, HDMI out to Onkyo 605. PS3 is set to bitstream. 7.1 and Dolby EX were the selectable audio options and I chose 7.1. I played a couple of passages and heard full 7.1 surround sound. I'm a big fan of using the back center speakers for movies. After experiencing a movie that way, to me 5.1 doesn't cut it anymore.

Optical or Digital Coax (SPDIF/Toslink) cannot support the bandwidth requirements for lossless audio beyond 2 channels,
Optical is limited to lossy DD and DTS compressions (1.5Mbps max.) core, or 2 channel PCM uncompressed.

To play lossless audio like TrueHD, DTS-MA, PCM (5.1 or 7.1) from BD or HD DVD's (up to 24.5 Mbps)
you need an HDMI AVR or one that has (6 channel or 8 channel) analogue inputs and a capatible player with analogue outputs.

ty- i am about to pull the trigger on denon 3808 -

ty- i am about to pull the trigger on denon 3808 -

Don't pull the trigger you might find yourself in a train to yuma. Just buy it simply. :D

I just did a quick look over the BD30 and AVR 2803 specs and it appears you have 8 channel analogue outputs on your player, but only 6 channel analogue inputs on your receiver.

This would allow you to play Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD and PCM up to 5.1 (just not discreet 7.1 BD's, those would likely be downmixed to 5.1)
...but I guess you could apply DPLIIx processing to bring the back surrounds into play. It's not discreet 7.1, but at least its still lossless, a huge improvement over your current Digi/optical (IMHO)

However, thats a lot of extra cables to route as opposed to 1 HDMI ;), which to some
like me, with more than one HDMI devices being switched through the AVR to the display, makes more sense.

If you're due for a receiver upgrade, I highly recommend you jump up to an HDMI AVR.

very thread appropriate .....

hope i don't "shoot myself in the foot" buying the 3808 -..............

optical
Bingo, you want 7.1 your going hdmi only

How about the Onkyos??

I just did a quick look over the BD30 and AVR 2803 specs and it appears you have 8 channel analogue outputs on your player, but only 6 channel analogue inputs on your receiver.

This would allow you to play Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD and PCM up to 5.1 (just not discreet 7.1 BD's, those would likely be downmixed to 5.1)
...but I guess you could apply DPLIIx processing to bring the back surrounds into play. It's not discreet 7.1, but at least its still lossless, a huge improvement over your current Digi/optical (IMHO)

However, thats a lot of extra cables to route as opposed to 1 HDMI ;), which to some
like me, with more than one HDMI devices being switched through the AVR to the display, makes more sense.

If you're due for a receiver upgrade, I highly recommend you jump up to an HDMI AVR.

I know your suggestions aren't directed towards me, but I thought I'd relate my experience.

I've tried both in my set-up. Since I can't add DLPIIx matrixing to the 5.1 to create a 7.1 surround, I've found the coax out 5.1 with DLPIIx better option. I think Arcam does a really stellar job with the DLPIIx implementation. Prior to buying the Arcam, I had a Lexicon (with Logic 7) and Yamaha that would handle HDMI audio and some of the new codecs...the Arcam's sound was a more immersive experience particularly with the rear soundstage.

Ron

i've read, here(AVS), no customer support with the onkyos and something else negative about black levels -
i also considered yammy 3800 -
i think i will choose denon - mainly because i have denon 2803 and love it -
to me , movie soundtacks and then either D*tv music channels or ipod sound awesome -- i just need to upgrade to a reciever that will switch hmdi - the power bump (2803=85x5) (130 x ...for 3808) is gravy -
this is for a family room setup - 5 speakercraft in-walls and a nht powered sub going to a HP 50" 1080i plasma -

I'm in the same boat. I'm ready to upgrade to an HDMI AVR to be used as a pre/pro or a dedicated pre/pro with HDMI to replace my Outlaw 950. I don't want to spend a ton of $ but I want something that is pretty much as future proof as I can get right now. I currently use a Tosh XA2 and PS3 for my HD media. The XA2 is hooked up via 5.1 analog and the PS3 via optical.

i've read, here(AVS), no customer support with the onkyos and something else negative about black levels -
i also considered yammy 3800 -
i think i will choose denon - mainly because i have denon 2803 and love it -
to me , movie soundtacks and then either D*tv music channels or ipod sound awesome -- i just need to upgrade to a reciever that will switch hmdi - the power bump (2803=85x5) (130 x ...for 3808) is gravy -
this is for a family room setup - 5 speakercraft in-walls and a nht powered sub going to a HP 50" 1080i plasma -

Try other brands too. I owned the Denon AVR 2803 (Denon AVR 2700 before that). I loved the sound. I have Klipsch Reference Series speakers. I heard good things about Harman Kardon, so I bought a AVR 247 from Best Buy. It was head and shoulders above the quality of Denon AVR 2803. No comparison actually. I liked the sound of H/K so much that I upgraded to a refurbished AVR 745. I am extremely happy with my choice.

So, don't box yourself with Denon. Try other brands. I have tried Onkyo and did not like them as much as my H/K.

I have the onkyo 705 paired to my panny bd10a and I am happy with it. Great pairing for 7.1 and extra more

Well, I selected the uncompressed 7.1 audio option and received the 2 channel core audio without an issue connected via coax. There has to be something wrong in your setup if you are not getting audio.

Not sure if the OP was really planning to upgrade his Denon amp down the road. If that really wasn't the intent, then maybe the Panny isn't the best solution. At least other players have 5.1 ouputs so optical could be taken out of the equation but HDMI is still the better way to go.

very thread appropriate .....

hope i don't "shoot myself in the foot" buying the 3808 -..............

Did you buy the 3808 already? If not then what are you waiting for?

I had both the Onkyo 805 and Denon 3808 in my system while my high end pre-pro was getting an upgrade. The Onkyo was not really my cup of tea but the Denon was very good.

My brother heard the Denon and bought one himself and a friend of mine is going to pick one up as well after hearing it on my system.

I used the Denon for about 2 weeks and it was a joy to use and listen to.

The Onkyo SR605 was a stop gap for me as it was $399 when I got it several months ago. No dispapointment for the price paid but I'm planning to buy the Denon when my wallet permits and I'll sell the Onkyo to a friend.