If you have a dvd player that doesn't have an on board decoder for DD or DTS, will your DTS/DD receiver still take the digital info and decode it? Basically, it wouldn't matter if the DVD Player has a decoder as long as the receiver does, right?

What make/model player do you have?

To answer your question, the DVD player needs a to be able to decode the sound playback format so it can be sent to the reciever. No onboard DTS decoder in your DVD player = no DTS through the reciever. So, yes it matters.

Mostly right.
It is my understanding that not all DVD players can pass on DTS signals. But going the DD route I don't believe should be a problem.

Thanks for the reply.

Mine is Toshiba 2100 series and works fine, but I've been hearing about/looking at the big DVD changers, and one, the Sony CX860 said something like "no DTS decoder on board." Since my Sony receiver has DTS, I was hoping I'd be alright.

Doesn't sound like I will.

You don't need to have a DTS decoder on board the DVD player if your receiver can process the DTS signal. Does your player have the DTS logo on it? If so, then it can pass the DTS signal in digital form to your receiver, where the processing will be done.

So, as long as your player can pass (not decode) a DTS signal (if it has a DTS logo) you are going to be able to listen to DTS.

My player doesn't decode DTS, but my receiver does. Same as your situation.

HTH

Virtually all current DVD players pass DTS. Some early first and second generation players couldn't.

If your receiver has DTS capability you'll be fine.