Best audio connection

[Litesol]

Hi All,

I have a Samsung DVD1080p up converting player. What is the best output for sound? Should I use bitstream with compression on or off? I am using optical out to a Onkyo HT-R550 receiver. I use the pass through HDMI to my Television from the receiver.

Thank You,

Litesol

[MrBoylan]

Originally Posted by Litesol

Hi All,

I have a Samsung DVD1080p up converting player. What is the best output for sound? Should I use bitstream with compression on or off? I am using optical out to a Onkyo HT-R550 receiver. I use the pass through HDMI to my Television from the receiver.

Thank You,

Litesol

Hi,

For DVD players, the sound options are a lot simpler than Blu-ray. If you want to get actual discrete 5.1-channel surround sound, then you need to set the digital audio output to bitstream. If you set it to PCM then you get 2-channel (stereo) sound.

As for compression on or off, this is up to you. Dynamic Range Compression will limit the dynamic range, making loud parts softer and the soft parts louder. This may be a more pleasing sound if you like keeping your volume at a moderate level but it's not accurate. DVD movies are typically mixed with high dynamic range, which is authentic to the movie theater mix. So if you want the most accurate sound then keep dynamic range compression OFF.

But ultimately it's your system (and your home) so set it however you feel it sounds best to you.

Good luck,

-CB

[Litesol]

Thank you for the information. Here is another what is PCM down sampling for and do I need it if I am using optical?

[MrBoylan]

Originally Posted by Litesol

Thank you for the information. Here is another what is PCM down sampling for and do I need it if I am using optical?

PCM down-sampling will downconvert 96 KHz PCM to 48 Khz sampling rate. This is only relevant if your receiver does not support 96 KHz PCM decoding (check your manual). But also, you only need this if you are listening to 96 KHz material, which is pretty rare on DVD.

-CB

[Litesol]

I looked up the spec this is what I found "Linear PCM 192kHz/24 bit D/A converters on all channels." Is there also a a guide to speaker placement. I have the Onkyo HTR-800 system I am not sure on the rear and side speakers placement. I followed the setup guide in the manual but the sound seems to pass overhead.

Thank You!!