Official Panasonic DMP-BD35/55 Owners Thread - Page 104

Get a Philips switch (PH-61148). $25 online. It's a manual switch - real low-tech - and works like a charm. It only has six channels, though. But, since there are no 7.1 SACD or DVD-Audio discs, you can probably run 5.1 through the switch and run the rear speakers from the BD55 direct to your receiver. At any rate, I am using this switch and am happy with how it works. You need to get up to insert a disc anyway, so the lack of remote control is no big deal.

Zektor has pricier switches, in the $250 range.

Sorry for the dumb question, and I understand you are talking about the HD audio formats here, but why the need for folks to hook up the optical audio in addition to analog on receivers without HDMI? I guess my real question is, for DVD's, what level of audio is output over the analog?

I just reread you last post BIslander. How do you have both your Denon DVD and the Panasonic hooked up to the analog inputs on the 3805 when there is only one set???

See post #3091 above.

2900 --> 6 cables --> Philips Switch |
...................................................|--> 6 cables --> AVR 3805
BD55 --> 6 cables --> Philips Switch |

OK, I'm a little slow but I just downloaded the 3805 manual, and I see that there are 5 separate Input Mode functions. Input mode selection function
Different input modes can be selected for the different input sources.
The selected input modes for the separate input sources are stored in
the memory.
1. AUTO (auto mode)
In this mode, the types of signals being input to the digital and
analog input jacks for the selected input source are detected and
the program in the AVR-3805’s surround decoder is selected
automatically upon playback. This mode can be selected for all
input sources other than PHONO and TUNER.
The presence or absence of digital signals is detected, the signals
input to the digital input jacks are identified and decoding and
playback are performed automatically in DTS, Dolby Digital or PCM
(2 channel stereo) format. If no digital signal is being input, the
analog input jacks are selected.
Use this mode to play Dolby Digital signals.
2. PCM (exclusive PCM signal playback mode)
Decoding and playback are only performed when PCM signals are
being input.
Note that noise may be generated when using this mode to play
signals other than PCM signals.
3. DTS (exclusive DTS signal playback mode)
Decoding and playback are only performed when DTS signals are
being input.
4. ANALOG (exclusive analog audio signal playback mode)
The signals input to the analog input jacks are played.
5. EXT. IN (external decoder input jack selection mode)
The signals being input to the external decoder input jacks are
played without passing through the surround circuitry.

Somehow, I got the idea that you had to select 5. ext in and then one of 1 thru 4. I'm not so sure that just pressing ext in give me output though.

I use that hookup configuration. Digital means the AVR's settings for bass management and EQ can be used when watching DVDs. If you have a 7.1 system, then you can also apply PLIIx to matrix the rear speakers, something that can't be done with the analog inputs.

The PCM produced by decoding DD and DTS sources will be the same regardless of where it is decoded. But, those added tools are only available when using digital to the receiver.

Those choices don't work together. Choose one, and only one, of them. The last one pressed is the only one that is active.

It will. If it doesn't, there's a problem at the source device. The Denon merely takes whatever analog audio is fed to the external inputs, amplifies it, and sends it along to the speakers.

You will also need to boost the output of the subwoofer, by the way. There's a Denon setup screen that allows you to boost the SW in 5db increments for the external inputs. Use +10db if you set your speakers to large in the player, +15db if you set them to small. Or, "season to taste".

I hate to be an idiot, but where in the manual does it talk about button clicks. I don't see it and a search did not turn it up.

I was unable to find the article you referenced. If you get a chance, it would be great if you could post the link. Thanks!

I'm starting to catch on I think. Since I don't have HDMI connections, the Panasonic setup should be simple....7.1. The Denon still requires another step according to the manual after selecting ext in.

3. Select the Play mode....stereo, surround, etc.

One more issue. I have to reconfigure the Component Inputs to the Denon since I've essentially added another source that uses component video. Should I set Video 3 to Auto? It didn't work when I simply added the new Panasonic...no sound bo video, so I just disconnected the Denon, and plugged it's old connections into the Panasonic....which went to the Denon's Video 2 inputs. Video 1 is the DirecTV HD DVR.

Thanks for running that down, Chris. Too bad an architectural choice will prevent them from "solving" this problem. I agree, though, that it would be nice if they would at least let you "unzoom" titlesd that are automatically zoomed.

(In that vein, it sure would be nice if you could Zoom any content as well. For example, the special features on Speed Racer are encoded as 16x9 windowboxed. But the player will not zoom blu-ray content.)

Ideally, there would be no non-anamorphic DVD's to worry about. Oh well, my old DVD player is sticking around for the rare occasion that I want to enjoy a non-anamorphic DVD that has subtitles.

How well does the BD35/55 players handle the 3:2 and 2:2 1080i cadence tests?

Response by PM to move this out of the BD35/BD55 thread.

I'm not the person whom you directed the question too, but I can tell you that the 1080i looks impressive once everything is calibrated. The jump from 1080i to 1080p is better but nothing wehn compared to 480p-1080i. imho.

Hi, BIslander
I have a Denon 3806/3910 combo, planning to buy Panny BD-55. So, the setup similar to yours, but my AVR has HDMI inputs. I thought that the only option for me to get HD-res audio formats from BD-55 was the analog outs, but somebody on different thread (maybe even you ?) has corrected me that I can still use HDMI.
That means: HDMi 1.3 device (player) , after decoding, would send m/ch PCM signal to the HDMI 1.1 device (AVR), with no problem. Is that correct ??? That's really a crucial question.
The benefit of this solution would be to take advantage of 3806 excellent DACs and the speakers config/bass management options in AVR. Can you confirm that please ?
Thanks in advance.

Yes, you should be good to go with player decoding to PCM for transmission to your AVR. HDMI 1.1 is all that's required.

OK, I'm a NOOB, and need some confirmation. I have a BD35 connected to a Yamaha v2700 via HDMI. What settings should I be using on the '35 for the best available audio? Did I make a mistake not getting the '55?
I know it's a simplistic question, any replies would be appreciated.

Is the analog section on the panny 55 better than the sony 550?

If there were a way to upgrade the electronics responsible for decoding in receivers like your's, that's reasonably cost effective, someone will make a million.

They work for me. My BD30 was always picky about jpg on DVD+R (my only DVDR discs) and wouldn't play some that other players would. All I can tell you is I use Nero Express; Track-at-once; Finalize; and I burn at a slow speed.

Noticed something with my BD35. Anyone else seen this?

I get a thin line across the top of my picture where it is brighter than the rest of the picture. This is obviously only in Widescreen when in letterbox mode with black bars above and below the picture. It's like a little contrast wrinkle across the top of the picture. 1 or 2 pixel thick line all the way across the top of the picture. I see it in Lord of the Rings for instance when Frodo is reading a book at the beginning sitting under the tree. I do not recall seeing this on my BD30.

Anyone know what that could be?

C.

Page 8 on the audio output chart is one place where it's discussed (footnote 2), but if you search the PDF manual for "clicking sound" you'll find all 6 references.

Basically if the Menu of the Blu-ray Disc has button clicking sounds enabled (or "mouse-over" type sounds), then the player treats this like BD Secondary Audio. It has to internally convert the sound to PCM (or lossless audio for bitstream) in order to mix these sounds in with the actual movie soundtrack.

Turning Secondary Audio OFF (in the DB55 Digital Audio Output Set-up menu, not using the Secondary Audio button on the remote), will eliminate these sounds from the datastream and prevent any conversion of the HBR audio formats over bitstreamed output.

-CB

Read in the Sony S550 thread that while the S550 and Samsung 2550 both have issues with internal decoding DTS-HDMA on Hellboy II and Rush Hour 3 (using the DTS core track instead and outputting 5.1), this player decodes both to 7.1 properly for PCM out.

Can anyone confirm this? While this is only relevant for maybe 6 or 7 titles now, this could be a signpost of problems to come on those players and mark a huge strength in this player and make the decision of which of those 3 to buy a bit easier for me when I get to the states.

I have the 4806 and am using LPCM over hdmi and it works great. The only downside to mine and I believe yours would be the same is that LPCM on these models is limited to 5.1.

I know on the 4806 I can send it in to Denon and they can upgrade it to a 'ci' unit which will accept 7.1 along with a few other upgrades. It is kinda pricey and I just let the Denon matrix in the back two channels.

You made no mistake in getting the 35. The 55 is best bought by people whose AVRs do not have HDMI and are forced to use analog output from the player to the receiver.
Since both your 35 and your receiver decode lossless audio codecs (Dolby TruHD and DTS Master Audio) you can choose which one decodes these codecs, probably makes no difference which setting you use.
For the 35 to decode the audio codecs, set it to output PCM.
For your AVR to decode, set your 35 to output Bitstream.
Your AVR is fairly expensive, might have better decoding. Try it both ways and see if you can tell a difference.

Probably. The 55 features high quality audio processing components which are used exclusively for analog output (these components are NOT used via HDMI output).

I'm sure this has been asked 30 times in this thread but can't read 104 pages .

I have a Pioneer SC-07. I just hooked up my BD35 and put in Spider Man. It is showing Dolby Digital on the receiver even though the movie is Dolby True HD. Will the audio codecs not show on my receiver like the Pioneer 51 does?

thanks.

That makes sense also though I don't think button clicks are in the data stream. they are just a feature to set on or off IMO.

Not a big deal but would be nice not to have to turn it on and/or off as an when required.

I have a Marantz sr7002 with latest firmware H.38 and am using 3:10 to Yuma. Checked the menu and under setup went to options menu and turned audio off. It then turned off the music and button clicking whilst in the menu section..

I thought the problem went from Onkyo's to all 7.1 receivers and 7.1 PCM encodes?


Also I have audio set to PCM for all 3 and Downmix to off and secondary audio set to on.


Bryan

How is it hooked up and how are the player outputs configured?