HD-A3 HDMI Audio output Q...

:confused:I have an HD-A3, updated with the 4.0/2.0 (or is it 2.0/4.0...) firmware. I just bought a harman/kardon AVR 354 receiver to plug everything into. The A3 connects to the h/k with HDMI, and the h/k is set to receive the audio via HDMI. I also have HDMI connections from my DVD changer, and my Dish receiver.

With the DVD and Dish, when there is Dolby Digital available, I get that indication on the h/k front panel. If the DVD has dts, and I choose that mode, I also get the DTS indication on the h/k.

On the A3, not so much. The only indication the h/k gives me on the front panel when I play an HD-DVD (Dune, Bourne Identity, 300) is multi-channel PCM at 96 or 48 Khz, when it should be giving me Dolby Digital, since that is what I selected in the menus.

However, when I play a dts and DD encoded DVD on the A3 (Big Trouble in Little China), I can get all bitstreams out to the h/k - dts, DD and the regular stereo.

The Audio settings on the A3 are:
Digital out SPDIF: PCM
Digital out HDMI: Auto
Dyn. Range Control: Auto
Dialog Enhancement: Off

I had the SPDIF set to bitstream, but went back to PCM, thinking that the A3 may only send out one bitstream, and I wanted that to be on the HDMI!

Any thoughts?
:confused:

That is normal due to your HD DVD player does not support streaming of the new sound codecs like DD+, TrueHD and the DTS HD HR and MA. The player will upconvert every HD DVD soundtrack to Multichanel PCM @ 96KHz. Although I would change the Dynamic Compression to "off" so it will sound better. :)

I am not sure if the AVR354 has the built in decoders for lossless Dolby True HD/DTS HD. I think it does but if not and you kept it set to bitsream it would only decode DD 5.1 and or DTS. But I dont think the A-3 can do lossless bitstream anyway, so it does not matter. I know the A-35 can, but don't think the A3 can.

As Casper stated, Changing it to Multichannel PCM will allow you to get the lossless codecs. So when you see "multi-channel PCM at 96 Khz" that is a very good thing..

Um, I am NOT looking to get Dolby True HD. I know the A3 can't send it (lacking HDMI 1.3...). All I'm looking to get is run-of-the-mill Dolby Digital or dts via the HDMI connection. Besides, the AVR354 would decode True HD if I had a TrueHD signal to send it.

As I mentioned, I AM getting Dolby Digital and dts over HDMI when I play a DVD encoded with either/both of them.

When I connect up an optical cable (tried this today), I DO get Dolby Digital and dts for the HD-DVDs. So I guess that's it for now.

Maybe someone can help me understand what exactly the relationship is between, say, Dolby Digital (NOT True HD) and "multi-channel PCM" ? And why I would prefer one over the other, if my receiver can decode both?

:confused:I have an HD-A3, updated with the 4.0/2.0 (or is it 2.0/4.0...) firmware. I just bought a harman/kardon AVR 354 receiver to plug everything into. The A3 connects to the h/k with HDMI, and the h/k is set to receive the audio via HDMI. I also have HDMI connections from my DVD changer, and my Dish receiver.

With the DVD and Dish, when there is Dolby Digital available, I get that indication on the h/k front panel. If the DVD has dts, and I choose that mode, I also get the DTS indication on the h/k.

On the A3, not so much. The only indication the h/k gives me on the front panel when I play an HD-DVD (Dune, Bourne Identity, 300) is multi-channel PCM at 96 or 48 Khz, when it should be giving me Dolby Digital, since that is what I selected in the menus.

However, when I play a dts and DD encoded DVD on the A3 (Big Trouble in Little China), I can get all bitstreams out to the h/k - dts, DD and the regular stereo.

The Audio settings on the A3 are:
Digital out SPDIF: PCM
Digital out HDMI: Auto
Dyn. Range Control: Auto
Dialog Enhancement: Off

I had the SPDIF set to bitstream, but went back to PCM, thinking that the A3 may only send out one bitstream, and I wanted that to be on the HDMI!

Any thoughts?
:confused:

Here is the only thing I would change and why the settings are correct or wrong:

Digital out SPDIF: PCM (correct setting to actually get HD audio on HD DVD discs for the best sound possible)

Digital out HDMI: Auto (neutral or correct. This setting allows the player to just pass standard DD/DTS on SD DVDs for the receiver to decode them. If set to PCM also even SD DVDs will be decoded in the player, but the added benefit of upsampling the sample rate from 48khz to 96khz)

Dyn. Range Control: Auto (THIS is the setting I think should be changed unless in a bedroom setting with someone sleeping while watching a movie. This limits the range of sounds so deep loud passages in the soundtrack are not as different than whispering parts. It is limiting the quality of the sound IMO)

Dialog Enhancement: Off (also correct)

IMO, you need to just forget whether the "DD or DTS" light lights up on the receiver and use settings that create the best sound possible. Isn't what sounds best more important than which indicator lights up in the receiver? ;)

OK this may be a stupid question on my part...Have the A3 but an older receiver,Onkyo htr500, was looking at one of the 600 and 700 series that decodes the Dolby True HD and DTS HD (if that's the correct moniker)....the A3 won't pass those on I would have to go to the A35? Looking to maximize sound LOL

I use the PS3 for gaming and blu-ray so I would be good there...

If you get a receiver that has HDMI inputs you can just let the HD-A3 do the decoding via HDMI and you should be fine. You will not get the DtHD or DTS-HD MA lights on that new receiver lighting up, but will still get the HD audio with the A3. ;)

Ok, so if I understand correctly, when my receiver says multi-channel PCM at 96 or 48 Khz, that is the A3 decoding the Dolby TrueHD and sending it out over HDMI? And that bitstream is of better quality than DD or dts?

I'm beginning to understand what I'm seeing there, then.

I'm just curious then, if the HD-DVD you're playing doesn't have Dolby trueHD on it, what is it converting to multi-channel PCM at 96 or 48 Khz, and if it's decoding DD or dts, wouldn't it be better to send that direct to the receiver? I guess that's like asking where should you downrez your content to 720p for your screen... My copy of Dune says nothing about Dolby trueHD...

Also, I was led to believe that the optical SPDIF can NOT carry un-decoded Dolby trueHD due to the bandwidth, and that you need the HDMI 1.3 for that.

Ok, so if I understand correctly, when my receiver says multi-channel PCM at 96 or 48 Khz, that is the A3 decoding the Dolby TrueHD and sending it out over HDMI? And that bitstream is of better quality than DD or dts?

I'm beginning to understand what I'm seeing there, then.

You are confusing the terminology a little here. Bitstream is when the signal is sent UNdecoded, so with HD audio when your receiver cannot decode these new codecs, LPCM (Multi-channel) is the better choice so you get the best sound possible. ;)

I'm just curious then, if the HD-DVD you're playing doesn't have Dolby trueHD on it, what is it converting to multi-channel PCM at 96 or 48 Khz, and if it's decoding DD or dts, wouldn't it be better to send that direct to the receiver? I guess that's like asking where should you downrez your content to 720p for your screen... My copy of Dune says nothing about Dolby trueHD...

Nearly all soundtracks on HD DVD have better soundtracks available even if it is only DD+ which for all studios except Warner they are using a 1.5mbps bitrate while Warner only used 640kbps bitrate for their DD+ soundtracks. All of them are better than the standard DD bitrate of 448kbps that you would get just sending the bitstream (UNdecoded) signal to the receiver. Even with the throttled back Warner DD+ titles that do not have the DtHD soundtrack.

Also, I was led to believe that the optical SPDIF can NOT carry un-decoded Dolby trueHD due to the bandwidth, and that you need the HDMI 1.3 for that.

You do need HDMI version 1.3 for both the source device AND the receiver to send the UNdecoded bitstream, but if you have a HDMI (any version) receiver you CAN get the HD audio by having the player do the decoding and sending LPCM (Multi-channel) to that HDMI receiver. ;)

Since your receiver DOES have HDMI, but not version 1.3 (with the HD audio decoders not included on it) you MUST have the HD DVD PLAYER do the decoding and send LPCM to the receiver via your HDMI inputs on your H/K model.

Hope this helps clear things up for you.

Hope this helps clear things up for you.

Yes, tremendously! Thanks for the help.:bowdown:

:HD::HD:

PFC....the explanation helps with the receivers that do not have the Dolby True HD and DTS HD built into them, I guess my question from reading this thread is....

I currently have the Toshiba A3 and an older receiver and I have it set up at this point to make the most of my sound as it doesn't even have the HDMI input/output on them so I am using optical sound....

I am looking at going with an Onkyo receiver that does decode via the receiver Dolby True HD and DTS HD built in....would I be able to let the receiver decode those codecs if I run the HDMI from the A3 to the receiver...if not then I am guessing I have to go with an A30 or A35 ? Do both of those put out 1080p btw because I am finding different descriptions on both models.

Thanks in Advance for the help...

R....

PFC....the explanation helps with the receivers that do not have the Dolby True HD and DTS HD built into them, I guess my question from reading this thread is....

I currently have the Toshiba A3 and an older receiver and I have it set up at this point to make the most of my sound as it doesn't even have the HDMI input/output on them so I am using optical sound....

I am looking at going with an Onkyo receiver that does decode via the receiver Dolby True HD and DTS HD built in....would I be able to let the receiver decode those codecs if I run the HDMI from the A3 to the receiver...if not then I am guessing I have to go with an A30 or A35 ? Do both of those put out 1080p btw because I am finding different descriptions on both models.

Thanks in Advance for the help...

R....

The A3 (nor the A2, A20, nor A30) does not bitstream the HD audio over HDMI because they are not HDMI version 1.3 HDMI connections on them. Only the A35, XA2, & That Onkyo HD DVD player (clone of the XA2) can bitstream the HD audio soundtracks to a receiver that can decode them.

You would have to let the HD DVD player do the decoding and send LPCM to the receiver even if the receiver can decode them, unless you have the A35, XA2 or Onkyo player. But at least you will be able to hear the HD audio when you get that HDMI receiver. ;)

FYI. All HD DVD players can decode the HD audio though, so it will still sound just as good, and will work more seamlessly when using the PIP feature when the player does the decoding anyway.

Hope this helps explain it better.

Yes it does thanks very much I am hoping to score an Onkyo out of Circuit city before they close by me......replace older Onkyo with new one..... :)