Audio formats questions

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dakie

80 posts

Master Geek

# 65913 9-Aug-2010 10:01

Hey guys, sorry if these questions are dumb, I don't know much about new technology.

I have the following
Onkyo tx-sr307 amp
My Sky HDi
Samsung BD-C5500 Blu Ray player
Samsung PS50C550 TV
Xbox 360

All connected to the AMP via HDMI, My Sky and Blu Ray Player connected to amp with Toslink cable

1) I know there are different audio formats like Dolby Digital, DTS etc. If I play a dvd that has multiple audio formats does it automatically play the best?

2) my Xbox 360 does not have Coax or Toslink connection, the TV has toslink out. Would the TV take any Dolby Digital or DTS audio in via HDMI in and output it via Toslink to my Amp? or is it likely only 2 channel Audio

I also don't know if my amp automatically selects the right to of audio to output (depending on what signal to send) It appears the Amp does not take the audio from the HDMI input, only from dedicated Audio inputs (not sure if this is correct)

Jaxson

6994 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 365266 9-Aug-2010 10:25

Hi there,

Just had a quick check and that receiver can not do the HD audio of bluray, so the way you have it connected (via toslink cable to bluray player) is the correct way for your application. You are right, in that it appears the hdmi input is for switching only, so it is just pass through and the receiver does not extract any audio from the hdmi signal. You will therefore need an additional cable for the audio of each source.

To answer your questions briefly:
1) Yes you should get the best sound possible on your system when you put a disc in. There are some HD audio tracks on bluray which your receiver can not play, so the player will send the receiver the next best possible audio.

2) HDMI will only send the audio the next item along requires, so if the TV is connected first, the audio sent will be 2 channel. In this case you will not then get 5.1 audio out of the toslink connector on the TV.

In all cases you'd want to check the manual to see how the optical output on the TV behaves.

You need to buy an xbox adaptor (someone here will know the specifics on this) and this will get you an optical conneciton, and possibly some component video output at well whilst you are at it. This will give you the best possible audio and video output from your xbox.

dakie

80 posts

Master Geek

# 365285 9-Aug-2010 10:54

Thanks for the quick and helpful reply, that all makes a lot of sense.

Will look for an adaptor cable for the Xbox 360.

By the sounds of things I will not need to change any settings on the amp (depending on the movie sound format) and that the AMP will do things for me.

Having it do things automatically is good for someone technologically challenged like me.

Thanks again for your help

bazzer

3309 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 365304 9-Aug-2010 11:48

I don't think the player necessarily picks the "best" audio format. For example, I have BD that default to the regular DD 5.1 soundtrack, even though my system can take the lossless HD audio tracks. I think it's up to the author to decide how the disc manages the audio.

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 365451 9-Aug-2010 15:55

Most discs have an audio setup option at the title menu if there are different qualities. As mine is in an HTPC I have it defaulting to DTS HD if available, but most discs generally still require you to select what you want from the setup menu. (BTW, DD5.1 is the "standard" for bluray/DVD offering surround sound. Any other format is optional/at the discretion of the production studio)

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rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 365728 10-Aug-2010 05:45

Hi in my experience you still need to choose the audio on most disc's they will all probably default to Dolby Digital 5.1 and you could miss out on the DTS track if it was available.

My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3