Panasonic DMP-55K and 35k tech question

[justeric78]

Chris, it looks like this topic is getting you lots of new members! I have like others been reading all over the net to try and get information on my setup. I have gotten some good information here and there but nothing to my specific question. I think I know the answer but I want to make sure just in case I need to make a change before I settle on the components. After much consideration and research I settled on the Panasonic 35k for the player and Onkyo 806 for the receiver. Since the receiver will internally decode everything my assumption on settings for the Bluray player is to just set everything to bit stream through the HDMI connection correct? Also will the 35k bit stream master audio I am not seeing that option listed specifically anywhere. I know it will TrueHD but it does not specifically say Master Audio. If I set everything to bit stream will it just basically send any loss less audio stream directly to the receiver to handle and therefor get the best it has to offer?

edit: Also how future proofed am I with the receiver - player options I have chosen? I know with technology it is hard to say but I have fallen so far behind with my technical knowledge I do not know what is on the horizon any longer like I used to be. I do not mind paying a little extra for a different model like the 55k if there is something I am going to need on it later. I just felt since the receiver had all current codecs that was all I needed to worry about hence buying the cheaper player.

[MrBoylan]

Hi,
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, it does help a lot. The chart on page 17 of the UK booklet, makes things a little clearer (?). Qu, when I connect up the RCA leads, do I need to change any settings, or does the BD55 know its decoding and passing through the signal to the amp, and it takes care of the sending the best signal automatically.

I hope to change the amp in the new year to the Yamaha DSP-AX863SE, and so run the HDMI to it and let it do the work.

Once again, I do appreciate the help.

Ah, yes, the UK manual is different but basic functionality should be the same as on the US model. In terms of connecting the analog leads, yes there may be some tweaking involved. If you've already calibrated your receiver and speakers for digital sources, these setting are not necessarily going to carry over to the multi-channel analog input (in fact, they probably will not be applied).

The BD55 has a speaker configuration screen for the multi-channel analog outputs. It's here that you adjust channel levels and delay times for the various channels. There are a few considerations here:

1. the text tone on the BD55 does not generate output for the LFE (subwoofer) channel, so you'll need to set this by ear or with a test DVD.
2. the level changes you make in the speaker configuration screen will not be audible until you COMPLETE your adjustments (save, and then get back in). I've contacted the Panasonic people about this to see if it is a bug but have not received an answer back yet
3. The LFE output via the multi-channel analog outputs will be about 10 dB down if you set your speakers to "large" or 15 dB down if you set them to "small." This is normal and happens on all players with multi-channel outputs. On the DVD and Blu-ray itself, the LFE channel is recorded low so as not to overload an analog transmission medium. Most receivers have an LFE boost or subwoofer boost *specifically* for the multi-channel analog inputs. So be sure this is engaged. This is independent of any other level settings on the receiver. If you do not do this, you will probably end up with "no bass" over the 5.1 (or 7.1) channel analog outputs.

Good luck!

-Chris

p.s. - I've attached a picture of the multi-channel analog speaker output configuration screen in the set-up menu, for your reference.

[MrBoylan]

Chris, it looks like this topic is getting you lots of new members!

Yes. Let's hope they start answering once in a while and not just asking. Or maybe this is my life to "pay it forward." Ah, well, at least I enjoy it.

I have like others been reading all over the net to try and get information on my setup. I have gotten some good information here and there but nothing to my specific question. I think I know the answer but I want to make sure just in case I need to make a change before I settle on the components. After much consideration and research I settled on the Panasonic 35k for the player and Onkyo 806 for the receiver.

Hate to throw a monkey wrench into the gears. OK, actually I love doing that, but you should consider an upgrade and get the TX-SR876 instead of the 806 to get the HQV video processing. Currently around $1000 on Amazon.com.

It is one of the best video processors out there and will make your standard def and 1080i HD sources look much better. Of course, you may not really need to use it with the BD35, but if you have a VCR, Cable Box or satellite box, a Wii or any other standard def source, the HQV processor will make these look significantly better.

Since the receiver will internally decode everything my assumption on settings for the Bluray player is to just set everything to bit stream through the HDMI connection correct? Also will the 35k bit stream master audio I am not seeing that option listed specifically anywhere. I know it will TrueHD but it does not specifically say Master Audio. If I set everything to bit stream will it just basically send any loss less audio stream directly to the receiver to handle and therefor get the best it has to offer?

Yes the BD35 and BD55 not only stream DTS-HD Master Audio but decode it to PCM over HDMI (35/55) and to multi-channel analog (55 only). The Panasonic doc is pretty clear on this and I can tell you for sure that it works.

The set-up can get a little tricky with the various options for Secondary Audio (used for menu clicking sounds and BonusView commentary), but personally I like to use bitstream out and turn Secondary audio OFF. I then turn Secondary Audio back on when I want to watch/listen to PiP commentary tracks. But you can also just set it to PCM output and leave Secondary Audio ON at all times. Either way will get you your lossless audio tracks in full resolution (except when the player has to mix in secondary audio commentary or menu clicking sounds).

edit: Also how future proofed am I with the receiver - player options I have chosen? I know with technology it is hard to say but I have fallen so far behind with my technical knowledge I do not know what is on the horizon any longer like I used to be. I do not mind paying a little extra for a different model like the 55k if there is something I am going to need on it later. I just felt since the receiver had all current codecs that was all I needed to worry about hence buying the cheaper player.

This is consumer electronics. These shiny boxes are obsolete as soon as you take them home. But seriously, the BD35 and BD55 are both pretty much state of that art, for now, and with the firmware upgrade capability, Panasonic should be able to correct any issues that are discovered and possibly even add new functionality. But there is a limit to how far this can go.

The only new spec I'm hearing about is BD-ROM 3.0 that could support music-only discs (like DVD-Audio, only better). The enhancement here would be to allow Blu-ray Discs to work more like CDs for music-only listening (no need to view an on-screen menu). But it's not clear when (or whether) this will be coming, and whether it will require new hardware. At this point, I think it's unlikely there will be a huge mass migration from CD (or downloads) to a new music-only Blu-ray Disc format, regardless of how high quality it is. The fact is that MP3 is "good enough" for most people's tastes.

It's possible (probable) that the next generation BD players will be faster to load and maybe simpler to set-up but I can't imagine the video performance getting a whole lot better, particularly on the Blu-ray Disc side. And the BD35 and BD55 include all variations of audio support that are possible to store on a Blu-ray Disc so you should be in pretty good shape for upward compatibility.

As for the receiver, I would say spend a little extra to get the high-end video processor and you'll be happy with your purchase for years.

Regards,

-Chris