So you're saying any player with analog outs can output any audio codec, even if the player can't decode it?

By the way, I did pick up the 605 and have been extremely pleased with the sound. The setup was a total breeze and I'm really happy with the capabilities of it.

No. I'm saying the players can decode TrueHD.

Why are we still talking about this?

Because there is a lot of confusion about what players do what, what receivers do what and what you need to get the absolute best sound as far as players and receivers.

If you prefer not to talk about it, then don't. Being rude helps no one.

Which Blu-ray players, exactly, decode Dolby TrueHD? I know the PS3 can, and the Panny can, and maybe(?) one of the Sony players. Are there more I'm unaware of?

It's a quote. Relax. Spend some time figuring out where the quote is from.

Sorry, Supermallet, we seem to be missing the target on our discussion. The first-gens did not decode TrueHD. All the 2nd gens seem to be including it. This is less of an issue as so many early BDs did not actually have this codec. If it were like HDDVD and every single disc had it, it would be more important.

The Panny is the only worthwhile player in my book. Mostly because I run 7.1 at my house.

I didn't realize so many BD players had included TrueHD decoding in them. Disregard my earlier comments about them, perhaps.

Ok, this might be a silly question, but hopefully someone can please help me out.

(FYI, I have the Onyko 605 with an HDMI input from a PS3 and an HDMI Output to a panasonic plasma 1080p)

I am watching "300" right now and hoped to be able to hear the Dolby TrueHD track. It is my understanding that the PS3 can decode this. However, when displaying the listening mode on the Onyko, none of the HD choices (or even DD-EX) are listed when shuffling through the Listening modes. The unit seems to be stuck on the 48khz PCM.

I do get sound when I select the DD True HD track from the DVD menu but I apparently am not getting the best version of this from the Onyko due to the issue above.

Help? Please?

Thats the way its supposed to work afaik

i agree. from my understanding, it should display PCM.

The receiver will only show the TrueHD indicator if it receives TrueHD as a bitstream signal over HDMI. The PS3 decodes TrueHD into PCM internally and then sends that signal instead.

The end result is the same since the receiver would have decoded a TrueHD signal into PCM anyway.

You won't be able to light up the TrueHD indicator (or the DTS-HD MA indicator) until the third-generation players come out.

Why is this thread called the HDMI receiver master thread when the only receiver discussed is the Onkyo?

If you'd like to discuss another HDMI receiver, feel free.

The situation as is stands:

1. There are players that can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution audio (the new Pana for example). When it is decoded in the player, it is sent out as PCM. That is why there is no Dolby or DTS light that appears on the receiver. No player right now can send the Dolby or DTS HD streams out to the receivers for the receivers to decode and get that Dolby or DTS light on the AVR.

2. Players that will come out soon will have the ability to send the Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio/High Resolution Audio bitstreams out to the AVRs with HDMI 1.3 and a Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD decoder inside (like the Onkyo's and Denon's that have been announced). In this scenario, the player is outputing the digital bitstream and the AVRs will do the decoding.

3. In the end, what we hear either way is PCM. It goes back to the age old debate of whether decoding should be done in the player or the AVR.

First, thanks to jiggawhat, cgray, jmaxlow, and rexinnih for answering my question (and so quickly!).

Ok, a couple of follow ups:

- All, given the points you have discussed, what is the sound setting I should be using to take full advantage of DD True HD? The Direct setting? Dolby PLII? Theater Dimensional? I guess I am showing my newbie colors, but any help is again greatly appreciated.

- Rexinnih, with regard to point 2, I assume the Onyko 605 has the capability to do this? And would the player needed for this have to have hardware or is this a software issue that can solved via a firmware update (a la the PS3)?

The PS3 will never be able to send lossless audio via bitstream, as this is an optional component of HDMI 1.3 and Sony did not include it.

Thanks for the info Supermallet. Any insight into what sound setting I should use on the Onyko605 (see my post above)? Thanks.

I would use direct setting. I would not use any extra processing that AVR is capable of.

For whatever reason, the Direct setting does not activate my surrounds (currently listing to the 5.1 DTS Mix of the Beatles 'Love' DVD-A). So that does not seem to be a good option (unless I need to adjust other settings as well).

I'm using the Denon 4306 receiver. It has 3 HDMI 1.2 inputs that can pass 1080p signals. It also has 3 component inputs which can be pushed through the HDMI out at 1080i. It has ipod, XM, USB and, internet radio hook-ups. This bad boy does it all but a few of the new HD audio formats which might be upgradeable via firmware. Very happy with this unit.

Hey RyuRyu,

The 605 has onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding capability. Nice machine for the price point.
Now for players, HDMI 1.1 and 1.2 do not have the bandwidth to handle these lossless, compressed digital streams (Dolby THD and DTS-HD MA). So that means the HD DVD or BD player will need a hardware upgrade to HDMI 1.3 if the manufacturer even offers it.

We are less than a month away from the majors showing their stuff at the IFA show in Berlin and CEDIA in the US. We'll know what's coming out and when in just a short time. The wait is almost over!

For the settings, I recommend the direct signal. You mention your surrounds are not activated. When you set up the receiver, did you make sure all the settings are for surround and all your speaker info is turned on?

To anyone who has a 605, I have a couple questions.

Sound wise does it do anything weird. I've heard problems where the audio drops out and it crackles. Has it happened to any of you?

How is the volume? Are you able to crank it with out any ill effects? The pioneer I have currently can go to a fairly high volume and luckily I can crank the volume because where I live I don't have to worry about neighbors.

There have been reports of audio pops on AVS, but several members here (myself included) purchased the 605 without incident. Note that the receiver DOES pop when the audio source is switched, even if it's the player that's doing the switching.

As for volume, I've been able to turn it up pretty loud without a problem. But I live in an apartment building with thin walls, so I can't blast it.

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to figure out if I want to get the new Pioneer Elite or the Onkyo.

I've had my Onkyo 605 for about a month now and haven't experienced any of the 'pops' that others have reported. I can't say if I'm lucky or if it was an tech issue that Onkyo has addressed.

For the price though, I can't think of another receiver I'd recommend more.