5.1/7.1 PCM, HDMI, and DSP - An Explaination of the Future-Proof receiver - Page 12

Amen!

Not all players have such an adjustment for HDMI output. Many don't, and I wouldn't really expect them to.

And the work-around with adjustments would be to lower all the other channels by 10dB, leading to an irritating level discrepancy, not to mention loss in signal-to-noise ratio.

Given price and everything, I might have to give that Onkyo 804 a much closer look.

Hmm, is the 804 new? Sure when I looked recently there was nothing between the 604 and the 5000. I'll have to look at this too.

Edit: Ah, I think I did look at it, but I ruled it out because I want a digital interconnect for SACD; it doesn't offer HDMI 1.2, i.Link or anything else.

Rob,
One can hope. Two things could happen as new, lower priced hi-def players come to market: decoder chips become cheap enough that players can decode everything internally; or manufacturers save money by leaving out all but the basic (mandated by spec) decoding, leaving the rest up to receivers.

Personally, I would prefer if format recognition and decoding were to move completely to players. This way, receivers would have to deal with incoming PCM signals only. Hypothetically, if some new audio codec shows up (Dolby Truly TrueHD or DD+++), you'll have to change players anyway. But if the new players decode the signal and output it as PCM, then your investment in your current receiver is safe.

New formats and players could keep on coming out, but your receiver would always see a PCM signal coming over HDMI. I think it would make upgrading less painful, hopefully encouraging consumers to embrace new technology a bit more easily.
Hardly any DVD players with DTS decoding. All do DD decoding, but most output only a 2-channel version (either through analogue connections or as PCM via the digital outputs).

The common way to hear multi-channel audio on DVD is to transmit the undecoded signal to your receiver, where proper decoding can take place; the opposite of the current trend with hi-def players.

Sanjay

Thanks for the clarificaton Sanjay.

I agree with you about preferring that format recognition and decoding were to move completely to players, especially since I am considering uprading my pre/pro to an Anthem AVM50 or D2!

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=...s=Receiver&p=i

I think the 804 is only 1.1, but I think it's pretty compelling at the sale prices I see at Vanns and One Call right now. It's something to chew on, at least for me...

Im failing to see why the Panasonic XR700 isnt a level 6???? Is it because it doesnt have 7.1 analog inputs(only has 5.1) and because it has no room correction abilities?

Same here. I just think that the list has not been updated yet. I just came across the XR700 for a little over $500. It does 7.1 LPCM over HDMI and looks to be a very promising receiver. May have to reconsider the Onkyo 604. Anyone have one yet?

Oh yes. I like it a lot, especially paired with the Panny BD10 Blu-ray disc player. There's a thread on it here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...31#post9024831

Dana

What processing are you refering to? I was under the impression that IIX can be added to 5.1 PCM?

Could you elaborate on "processing over PCM signals" please? Thanks.

Dana

Maybe he means via the analog inputs?

First Lindahl, thanks for a fantastic informative thread.
Not doubting you but I got the manual in front of me... can you give a page number? I dont have this player yet but Dronbi has confirmed that it will apply IIX to 5.1 PCM. We know it wont do room corrections.
Level trims, distance and bass management.... Can you confirm any of this Dronobi?
I suppose level trims would be easy to confirm... play a PCM title and move a speaker level up and down on the receiver.
As far as bass management.... again while playing a PCM title, disconnect all speakers(including subs) except for one of the front mains. Switch back and forth between large and small on the speaker setting on the receiver. This should significantly change bass output.(large would be fuller and small should be lacking in bass).
As far as distance... your on your own!

Page 35 of the manual sets out how to set speakers and their sizes, set distances and the low pass filter. Likewise, I cannot find a page in the manual where it says the XR700 can't decode Dolby Digital or DTS received by HDMI or analog.

Dana

Page 26 of the manual says "Digital signals this unit can play:
"Dolby Digital (including Dolby Digital Surround EX), DTS (including DTS-ES and DTS 96/24) and PCM (-> page 39)" Page 39 defines these terms.

The same page also confirms what we already know. " The unit is compatible with linear PCM 8-channel surround signals decoded by the BD player and other equipment (up to 96 kHz/24 bit). See the operating instructions for equipment used for playback."

Dana

Some receivers cant do certain stuff when receiving PCM... everything falls back on the player. Can you test any of the above stuff I stated?

On paper it sounds like a terrific value; can apply surround processing and Audyssey room correction to multi-channel audio via HDMI.

Sanjay

Probably this receiver will not sound familiar with you guys but still, maybe you guys can find out what type (level 1,2,3,4,5 or 6) of receiver this is....... I can get this one for a great price maybe........
Arcam AVR-350

Ok I have the reciever now, Onkyo 503, and I'm having a problem I'm hoping can be helped....problem is I have my Xbox 360 connected via optical and there's no sound coming from it. I changed the 360 audio settings to DD 5.1, I tried assigning the digital inputs, I tried setting the inputs to auto, but the receiver is acting as if nothing is plugged into the optical inputs. Yes, I took the little rubber protectors off the optical cables. Is it broken?

The Arcam AVR-350 was reviewed here http://www.hometheaterblog.com/homet...avr350_71.html last June. It doesn't support audio over HDMI so it would be considered a Level 2 receiver according to Lindahl's definitions on the first page..

Dana

The Pioneer Elite 84 has been confirmed by several owners in that thread as level 6.

What about the Yamaha 1700/2700? Level 5 for sure, but what about 6, considering HDMI 1.2a is in the cards?

It's interesting that the more expensive Onkyo 804 does not appear to have the Audyssey room correction feature.

We can't find in the manual where it states something wrong. Do you have a page, paragraph, etc.?

Dana

Onkyo SR804 has a feature called Re-EQ (a product of THX Ltd). Here is what owner's manual (page# 66) says: