Panasonic BMP-BD30 Onboard Decoding

[admin_exported]

Quick Question: I've got a Yamaha DSP-A1 that I don't really want to have to change, but of course it lacks on board decoding for the new HD sound formats. What is the quality of the onboard decoding on (for example) the new panasonic blu-ray player - the review in the magazine doesn't really cover this. What are the disadvantages of using the onboard decoder on the player compared to that on an amplifier - apart from the lack of snazzy dsp modes that I can live without! How is this sound going to compare with (say) a more modern, but way less expensive, surround amplifier such as the 400 pound Onkyo? Thanks in advance!

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately the BD30 does not have onboard decoding for the HD sound formats. You have to have separate decoders, usually in the amp.

 

[HDNumpty]

But am I right in assuming that if the BD has a PCM 7.1 soundtrack, that the player will decode this and send it via 5.1 analogue outs, where connected?

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

Yes. As PCM is uncompressed, the player doesn't need to decode it, all it needs to do is pass it through.

 

[Anonymous]

Curses!
Oh well, thanks for the clarification - I'd kind of got the impression from the review that it would decode the new HD formats for me, good job I asked first.
I shall just have to wait for its big brother, hand over even more of the cash that I don't actually possess, and hopefully live happily ever after. (*At least until "x-ray" comes out in 15 years time, supporting 9600p and analogue 7.1 sound.)

 

[Anonymous]

im pretty sure the both the sonys decode all formats onboard if you cant wait for the new panasonic, as i am.