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Might be a stupid question- using hdmi from BD player only for audio

post #1 of 9
3/21/10 at 7:08am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I haven't really looked into BD that much because I have an older ED Panny plasma that does not have hdmi. I love the picture and will not be upgrading in the new future. I recently purchased a Pio 9040 thx avr that I love with Paradigm Cinema 110 speakers. I am using an older (non BD) dvd player with component and optical out. The sound has been very pleasing with the 5.1 system, particularly after playing around with the MCACC and audio options on the Pio.

But then I read posts about HD audio and think I am missing something. (This forum can be hazardous to your wallet) : )

Since I have an older ED plasma without hdmi I am actually fine for now with the video quality. However since I am relegated to component out for video, if using a BD player, could I use component out for the video and hdmi out for the audio to take advantage of the higher quality audio?

If that would work is the HD audio that much "of an improvement" from the audio formats created between my standard dvd player and avr?

Thanks,

Vito
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post #2 of 9
3/21/10 at 7:48am
BD discs also offer much improved lossy audio, (compared to DVD), so it's not just a matter of "DVD audio" vs "BD audio". Even the lossy audio on most BD discs is a huge improvement over DVD bit rates.

From a BD player, you have a couple options for getting lossless audio to your compatible AVR. HDMI is one, and multichannel analog is another. But as stated above, even the legacy optical connect will usually offer much improved quality from the average BD disc.

So the question is whether a given BD player offers multi-channel analog and your AVR can accept that. Does the AVR offer bass management and DSP on the M-ch analog inputs? (most do not)
Does the player in question also offer simultaneous output from HDMI and other audio connects?

The broadest answer to your question is that yes, it's very possible to enjoy higher quality audio from BD discs, but there's more than one way to do it.
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post #3 of 9
3/21/10 at 9:05am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

Thanks for responding. This is what I have gotten from your reply. Can you confirm that I am not missing something?

1) lossless audio from BD player is worth pursuing and with my equipment there maybe ways I may be able to do make the connections.

2) using an optical audio connection from the BD player will offer an improvement over the standard DVD player

3) multi channel analog is an option if my avr offers bass management and dsp on multi-channel inputs - (I'll have to check that, it is the PIO equiv of the 21 vsx elite model)

What I am still unclear about:

1) "Does the player in question also offer simultaneous output from HDMI and other audio connects? " - I would be using component out from the BD player for the video and looking to use the hdmi out for the audio. Can BD players do this? OTOH I would have to check my avr to see if I could set up the video and audio this way.

Thanks

Vito
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post #4 of 9
3/21/10 at 9:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vito_jr View Post

1) lossless audio from BD player is worth pursuing and with my equipment there maybe ways I may be able to do make the connections.

Yes, it's worth pursunig. But, it's also worth noting that you can get most, if not all, of the improvement offered by lossless on Blu-ray using an optical or coax connection. The high bitrate lossy versions on Blu sound great, many feel they sound about as good as lossless.

Quote:


2) using an optical audio connection from the BD player will offer an improvement over the standard DVD player

Yes, as noted above.

Quote:


3) multi channel analog is an option if my avr offers bass management and dsp on multi-channel inputs - (I'll have to check that, it is the PIO equiv of the 21 vsx elite model)

Very few AVRs process the MCH analog inputs. You need to check the specs on the player, not the AVR. Most offer bass management and distance adjustments for the analog outputs.

Quote:


1) "Does the player in question also offer simultaneous output from HDMI and other audio connects? " - I would be using component out from the BD player for the video and looking to use the hdmi out for the audio. Can BD players do this? OTOH I would have to check my avr to see if I could set up the video and audio this way.

You need to confirm that the player you buy will send component video and lossless audio over HDMI at the same time. Most will do that. But, it's a good idea to check.
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post #5 of 9
3/21/10 at 9:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vito_jr View Post

What I am still unclear about:

1) "Does the player in question also offer simultaneous output from HDMI and other audio connects? " - I would be using component out from the BD player for the video and looking to use the hdmi out for the audio. Can BD players do this? OTOH I would have to check my avr to see if I could set up the video and audio this way.

Thanks

Vito

Not an easy answer. On HDMI, the video and audio signals are combined, always. So the player must be able to output video over both component and HDMI. Usually not a problem, but some players will have a setup option for which video output is primary. Also, lossless audio over HDMI requires that the video resolution be set at 720p or higher.

When sending video AND audio through an AVR, usually you cannot have both HDMI and component connected to the same input, so you may need to bypass the AVR with the component video and lose the switching capability for video in the AVR. A programmable universal remote will alleviate the need for making input selections on both AVR and TV when watching the BD player.
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post #6 of 9
3/21/10 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes View Post

Also, lossless audio over HDMI requires that the video resolution be set at 720p or higher.

And note that this could be a deal-breaker with a ED display (480p).
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post #7 of 9
3/21/10 at 9:55am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

Thanks for the responses and the information. The response time and quality of the answers on this forum are amazing.

Much appreciated.

Vito
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post #8 of 9
3/21/10 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdclark View Post

And note that this could be a deal-breaker with a ED display (480p).

If the TV in question is limited to 480p, then there's a compelling argument for using either m-ch analog audio or just "settle" for optical connect. You might even be able to do both and compare.

Or, stick a crowbar in the wallet and get a nice new 1080p display. The difference in PQ might be surprising.
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post #9 of 9
3/22/10 at 6:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdgrimes View Post

If the TV in question is limited to 480p, then there's a compelling argument for using either m-ch analog audio or just "settle" for optical connect. You might even be able to do both and compare.

Or, stick a crowbar in the wallet and get a nice new 1080p display. The difference in PQ might be surprising.

Surprising wasn't the word I was thinking of...

larry
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