thebronzedgod August 20, 2008 23:43
I am about to purchase and reading the reviews thethe Panasonic DMP-BD50 seems excellent value for money, but I require a home cinema system can somebody recommend what I need to purchase with this system.
jerryC July 31, 2008 15:07
One thing the review didn't get round to saying - how does the picture compare to that from the BD-30?
mx2009 July 15, 2008 17:53
Rsloper2002 - my understanding is that HD audio can not be passed via optical - it will be down-converted to old-fashioned Dolby Digital/DTS/2 channel PCM (depending on what it started out as).
Malcolm
mx2009 July 15, 2008 17:49
I think there's an awful lot of ambiguous language around the Hi-Def Audio codecs. Do I understand this correctly, in context of this player:-
Option 1. The player will pass the DTS-HD MA or Dolby True HD bitstream via HDMI where it will be unpacked and decoded.
Option 2. The player will unpack DTS-HD MA or Dolby True HD and pass a multichannel (up to 7.1 channels) of LPCM via HDMI.
Option 3. Where no HDMI exists: The player will unpack and internally decode DTS-HD MA or Dolby True HD and output as 5.1 via the analogue outputs (**some players can only do this with Master Audio by FIRST converting to plain-old DTS - my understanding is this player does NOT do this but outputs full-on Master Audio & True HD at 5.1 channels in analogue form - am I correct?)
Option 4. Where no HDMI or multichannel analogue connectivity exists, a coaxial or optical digital connection can be used which will give ONLY Dolby Digital or core (plain-old) DTS. Or stereo 2-channel PCM from a multichannel PCM soundtrack.
Option 5. Stereo/2-channel analogue.
I think a blu-ray buyers guide would be a good idea for the magazine (explaining for each player what you get out of which socket for what you put in) as so much of this has been fudged everywhere. People using strange terminology like LPCM over analogue 5.1(?!). I know what they're getting at and why they're confused (I am too) - there's no clarity even from the manufacturers.
Thanks all
RSloper2002 July 11, 2008 13:34
So what is it then as i am confused now. Does this blue ray player send decoded HD sound via the 5.1 outputs i.e an optical cable or NOT as i am about to buy it for that very reason! If it doesnt i'll just buy the cheaper BD30 for £350 instead.
And as far as for what hifi saying that Panasonic's press office confirms that the BD50 does decode high-def audio internally and output it via PCM, as we said in our review, Well what on earth does that mean for us laymans??? Whats PCM?? Is that by the optical output or the HDMI? Please Help!!! :)