"i got it, but i dont get it", the BD55

[npeckio]

hi, still uneasy about the audio set up. I am hooked to 82TXS via hdmi from the BD55, only HDMI. I have set the "dig.audio out" to pcm for DD=,DTRUE HD,DTS/DTS HD.

the "BD video secondary audio" with the option of on or off, not sure as the instructions get weird here.

then "pcm down conversion", option on or off, ....again i got confused by the instructions.

last but not least, "downmix" options are stereo or surround encoded, i didnt know what to enter.

i had some test runs playing w the setting of the receiver and the player. the av receiver says pcm in the display and the icons for l/c/r and surrounds but not the "surround backs".

on the BD55, there is nothing on the display to show its decoding and sending out the better codec's, if thats the right term. the movie i am using is dolby true hd 5.1, and it sounds "better" more amplified to my ear or its my adrenaline because i turned 50 and have a harder time with this home theater stuff.
any insight, feedback, questions.....i would appreciate it greatly.
thanks nick

[MrBoylan]

hi, still uneasy about the audio set up. I am hooked to 82TXS via hdmi from the BD55, only HDMI. I have set the "dig.audio out" to pcm for DD=,DTRUE HD,DTS/DTS HD.

the "BD video secondary audio" with the option of on or off, not sure as the instructions get weird here.

then "pcm down conversion", option on or off, ....again i got confused by the instructions.

last but not least, "downmix" options are stereo or surround encoded, i didnt know what to enter.

i had some test runs playing w the setting of the receiver and the player. the av receiver says pcm in the display and the icons for l/c/r and surrounds but not the "surround backs".

on the BD55, there is nothing on the display to show its decoding and sending out the better codec's, if thats the right term. the movie i am using is dolby true hd 5.1, and it sounds "better" more amplified to my ear or its my adrenaline because i turned 50 and have a harder time with this home theater stuff.
any insight, feedback, questions.....i would appreciate it greatly.
thanks nick

Setting DTS and Dolby to PCM is correct for your receiver. None of the other settings you mentioned above matters except BD-Secondary Audio, which should be set to OFF in order to get the lossless tracks all the time. You will need to turn it back ON if you want to watch/listen to BonusView content (PiP Commentary).

And when you're listening to a 5.1-channel recording, then the Surround Back channels will not light up on your receiver because they're not in use. The only exception to this is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks which are *always* amplified to 7.1 channels by the player based on DTS algorithms. PCM 5.1 soundtracks will be sent as PCM 5.1. Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtracks will be sent as PCM 5.1 (which is exactly what your receiver needs).

To see which track is selected on the Disc (and being decoded by the player), you can hit the "Display" button on the remote. Also, hitting the "Audio" button on the remote (the top one up near the numeric keypad) will flash the currently selected audio track as well.

Hope that helps.

-Chris

[npeckio]

im getting it. what if i play a dolby true hd "7.1" movie, i will see the surrond back icon's on the receiver? but is there any way to make sure the BD55 is sending out the higher codecs to my receiver on its display or by hitting the audio button and seeing the selected track?
i might seem possesed but i spent alot of money on this stuff and i want to maximize this set up to its full potential,if i am capable.again, thanks for your patience,regards,nick....ps happy new year!

[MrBoylan]

im getting it. what if i play a dolby true hd "7.1" movie, i will see the surrond back icon's on the receiver? but is there any way to make sure the BD55 is sending out the higher codecs to my receiver on its display or by hitting the audio button and seeing the selected track?
i might seem possesed but i spent alot of money on this stuff and i want to maximize this set up to its full potential,if i am capable.again, thanks for your patience,regards,nick....ps happy new year!

Yes, if you play one of the two available Dolby TrueHD 7.1 movies on Blu-ray Disc, your receiver should show all 8 channels active via PCM.

And no, there is no way to tell that the player is converting the lossless codecs to PCM except by your ears. Once it is in PCM form, all that will show up on your receiver is "PCM Multi-channel." But if you set BD Secondary Audio to OFF, and set Dolby and DTS to PCM then I guarantee you you are geting the benefits of the lossless codecs. I have done enough testing, and had enough conversations with Panasonic engineers to know exactly how this works.

The only time the player will revert to the lossy codecs is if you leave Secondary Audio set ON and if the player encounters any Secondary Audio or menu clicking sounds which it has to mix into the stream. With Secondary Audio OFF, it's lossless all the way.

Hit the "display" or "audio" buttons to see what track is selected on the disc (make sure it's DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD or Multi-channel PCM), and as long as you set Secondary Audio to OFF, then you're good to go.

If you want your receiver to light up "Dolby TrueHD" or "DTS HD Master Audio" then you'll need to buy a new receiver!

But don't stress out - just hook it up and start enjoying that high quality lossless audio!!

Regards,

-Chris

[npeckio]

i feel better thanks. even when i use the simmulated 7.1 i fully appreciate this receiver's ability to render a very good sound, though its simmulated. and the 5.1 does sound very good, i used the movie "the fifth element" as i have seen it many times and its impressive. thanks for your help again. have a great new year,
nick