Quote:
Originally Posted by rdclark 
In-player decoding is preferable because Blu-ray supports secondary audio (for features like PIP commentaries) which only work with in-player decoding. Letting the player decode and send multichannel LPCM will provide the maximum audio benefits of Blu-ray. The receiver will indicate Multichannel LPCM because that's what it's getting from the player.
There should be a setting in the player that will let you bitstream audio to the receiver, so it can be decoded there. This will give you your little indicator lights on the receiver, but you will lose your secondary audio capability and gain nothing in terms of audio quality.
In-player decoding is preferable because Blu-ray supports secondary audio (for features like PIP commentaries) which only work with in-player decoding. Letting the player decode and send multichannel LPCM will provide the maximum audio benefits of Blu-ray. The receiver will indicate Multichannel LPCM because that's what it's getting from the player.
There should be a setting in the player that will let you bitstream audio to the receiver, so it can be decoded there. This will give you your little indicator lights on the receiver, but you will lose your secondary audio capability and gain nothing in terms of audio quality.
My setup;
Panasonic BD35 Blu-ray player > optical spdif > Yamaha DSP-A1 amp.
Testing with 'The Dark Knight' (TDK) BD, 'True HD' selected on the rempote;
- Bitstream or PCM out - no change,
- 'Secondary Audio' (SA) off - huuuge improvement.
With the SA on, TDK seemed to be dull and lifeless. With the SA off, the audio is improved 300%, dynamics and surround come to life. I have never heard my M&K sub complain so easily if I am not careful with the SA off, such is the improvement in the dynamic range. Volume adjustment does not change these results.
The BD35 OSD says 'SA off will result in original audio being passed' (or some thing similar).
Here is the like to the receiver:
