Wondering if I Bought Correct Player - Pana BD60K

luvsoccer · 11-07-2009, 04:15 PM

I just ordered through Panasonic website a DMP-BD60K and am now wondering if I should have ordered the 80K. Got the 60K @ special price of $114+tax NEW (corporate discount plus rebate). The 80K was offered at $169+tax so seems like a good deal. My home theater audio system is: Marantz SR7400 which does not support HDMI. I have Sony 46" LCD rear projection with one HDMI that I use exclusively with upconverting Sony DVP-NS90V, and I use components for cable through TiVo. I also occasionally use 2 channel analog audio out on Sony to drive auxiliary speakers in another room through Marantz and it looks like the 80K for analog audio out only has the 7.1, no 2 channel. That's why I chose the 60 over the 80.

If I understand things correctly - given my audio set-up I can't take full advantage of HD audio from Pana players because I'm not using HDMI except for video as Marantz doesn't support. Am I missing anything - is there any other reason I should have considered the 80K? I have 5.1 analog audio output on Sony but frankly never used it.

The only downside I could find with 60K is that it only has a digital audio OPTICAL output, and I'm out of OPTICAL inputs on the Marantz so will have to give up something else. I thought I read somewhere some other special considerations for the 80K on the audio side, something about some settings causing a loss of low level/subwoofer sound.

Sorry for the rambling and probably confusing note. I guess I'm just having a little buyers remorse wondering if I should have ordered the 80K instead. The $114 for the 60K seems a real bargain, plus it looks like it will hook-up identically to how I have been using my Sony DVD player.

Any counsel?

sigill · 11-07-2009, 06:14 PM

I believe both Panasonic models are good BD players which ever one you choose. You say you can't get HD audio but it doesn't matter if you don't have HDMI on your reciever. You can go through the analogue connections on the Panasonic BD player and let it decode the HD codecs.

**PFC5** · 11-07-2009, 07:52 PM

But the BD80 has the 7.1 analog audio outputs while the BD60 does NOT have the 7.1 analog audio outputs. If the OP receiver has the 5.1/7.1 analog audio inputs then he should have bought the BD80 to get the HD audio.

sigill · 11-07-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

But the BD80 has the 7.1 analog audio outputs while the BD60 does NOT have the 7.1 analog audio outputs. If the OP receiver has the 5.1/7.1 analog audio inputs then he should have bought the BD80 to get the HD audio.

Ok i see what you mean PFC5, my mistake i thought both the Panasonic machines had the 7.1 analog inputs. In that case the OP may have been better of paying a little extra for the BD80.

BIslander · 11-08-2009, 12:33 AM

The BD80 has multichannel analog and coax outputs and seems like a more appropriate player in the OP's circumstances.

The low subwoofer output happens because while LFE is designed to play back 10dB louder than the other channels, it is output at the same level - in other words, it's 10dB low. This is done to prevent clipping during transmission. The sub channel must be boosted by 10dB in the receiver or at the sub itself in order to get the proper bass output. With some receivers that can be done by a simple setting change. With others, it is a bit more difficult.

luvsoccer · 11-08-2009, 07:44 AM

Sorry - now I am more confused than ever. While my Marantz does have 7.1 analog audio input, I have never used it. I have always been pleased with the digital audio as fed by TiVo for HD broadcasts and DVD for upconverting standard DVDs. Moving to BluRay, I had not even considered worrying about HD audio, as the Marantz does not have an HDMI. While I have $2K invested in my home theater system, I did not think that the uncompressed HD audio available from BD discs would provide a worthwhile improvement over the digital codecs fed via digital input - such as DTS, DTS-Neo6,DTS-ES,DTS-96/24,Dolby Digital...My 2004-era Marantz supports those. It seems like moving backwards to feed Analog 7.1 from a BD player to my Marantz than staying with the "more modern" Digital Codecs which the Marantz was really designed to leverage. The marketing material for the BD80 even says "...for older receivers, 7.1 analog audio is available." That's my confusion.

Another point of confusion - assuming I stay with the BD60 order and feed BD audio through the digital optical with digital codecs - will I have a subwoofer boost requirement, or is that only with the BD80 feeding uncompressed HD audio through the analog 7.1?

Geesh - feel like I need to go get an EE degree!

Chris Gerhard · 11-08-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvsoccer

Sorry - now I am more confused than ever. While my Marantz does have 7.1 analog audio input, I have never used it. I have always been pleased with the digital audio as fed by TiVo for HD broadcasts and DVD for upconverting standard DVDs. Moving to BluRay, I had not even considered worrying about HD audio, as the Marantz does not have an HDMI. While I have $2K invested in my home theater system, I did not think that the uncompressed HD audio available from BD discs would provide a worthwhile improvement over the digital codecs fed via digital input - such as DTS, DTS-Neo6,DTS-ES,DTS-96/24,Dolby Digital...My 2004-era Marantz supports those. It seems like moving backwards to feed Analog 7.1 from a BD player to my Marantz than staying with the "more modern" Digital Codecs which the Marantz was really designed to leverage. The marketing material for the BD80 even says "...for older receivers, 7.1 analog audio is available." That's my confusion.

Another point of confusion - assuming I stay with the BD60 order and feed BD audio through the digital optical with digital codecs - will I have a subwoofer boost requirement, or is that only with the BD80 feeding uncompressed HD audio through the analog 7.1?

Geesh - feel like I need to go get an EE degree!

I believe the lossless audio codecs used with Blu-ray, uncompressed PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, do offer a significant improvement over the lossy audio you get over optical or coaxial digital connections. I believe the difference is most noticeable with music. You need to be able to hear the various forms of audio to make your own decision. I have been listening to music using the high resolution lossless audio formats, DVD-A and SACD for years and preferred those formats over CD and DVD-V. Only a small market got involved with SACD and DVD-A so it could very well be that a majority doesn't agree with me, I have never seen any statistics.

I believe the DMP-BD80 would have been the correct choice for you but the good news is Blu-ray using the legacy digital connections is great as well.

Chris

Loves2Watch · 11-08-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvsoccer

Sorry - now I am more confused than ever. While my Marantz does have 7.1 analog audio input, I have never used it. I have always been pleased with the digital audio as fed by TiVo for HD broadcasts and DVD for upconverting standard DVDs. Moving to BluRay, I had not even considered worrying about HD audio, as the Marantz does not have an HDMI. While I have $2K invested in my home theater system, I did not think that the uncompressed HD audio available from BD discs would provide a worthwhile improvement over the digital codecs fed via digital input - such as DTS, DTS-Neo6,DTS-ES,DTS-96/24,Dolby Digital...My 2004-era Marantz supports those. It seems like moving backwards to feed Analog 7.1 from a BD player to my Marantz than staying with the "more modern" Digital Codecs which the Marantz was really designed to leverage. The marketing material for the BD80 even says "...for older receivers, 7.1 analog audio is available." That's my confusion.

Another point of confusion - assuming I stay with the BD60 order and feed BD audio through the digital optical with digital codecs - will I have a subwoofer boost requirement, or is that only with the BD80 feeding uncompressed HD audio through the analog 7.1?

Geesh - feel like I need to go get an EE degree!

The BD80 will decode the new HD audio codecs internally and send them via multichannel analog audio outputs (if you so desire and set it to do so) so you can connect that to your Marantz. Is there a difference between that and DD 5.1, you betcha. Is it enough for you to hear a difference, on many soundtracks it is. The choice is yours but I would recommend doing it, you might be vary surprised...

Hope this helps and yes it is getting very confusing...

luvsoccer · 11-08-2009, 08:13 AM

OK - looks like I may need to cancel that sweetheart deal $114 order for the BD60 and pay $160 for the BD80.

I still don't have a clear idea on one thing. My surround speaker system for watching video is only 5.1, and I use a 2nd set of speakers in another room to listen to audio CDs via 2 channel analog audio from my current DVD through the Marantz. Does the BD80 have a set-up option to send 5.1 uncompressed HD audio through my Marantz and use channels 6/7 as 2 channel L/R audio feed for my existing multi-room speaker set-up for audio CDs? I have been studying the BD60/80 online owners manual but can't quite figure it out.

If I can get confirmation that I can keep all my current functionality with Marantz 5.1 theater surround plus leverage 2 channel analog audio for separate room speakers, then it'll be clear that I do need to move to the BD80 - sorry for all the ignorant head-scratching questions!

luvsoccer · 11-08-2009, 08:26 AM

I just discovered potentially another option but not sure if it clear things up. I took a look at the manual for my TV - Sony Grand Wega KDF-E42A10 and noticed that, in addition to one HDMI input, it has a Digital Audio Optical Output. In the manual it states "Connects to the optical audio input of a digital audio component that is PCM/Dolby Digital compatible." Wondering if that helps my situation???

Seems that I should be able to get uncompressed HD audio digitally to the Marantz via the TV and HDMI? I guess maybe the problem continues to be that the Marantz can't support the uncompressed digital codecs??? If that's the case I wonder how it treats the digital audio signal? argh!

Loves2Watch · 11-08-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvsoccer

OK - looks like I may need to cancel that sweetheart deal $114 order for the BD60 and pay $160 for the BD80.

I still don't have a clear idea on one thing. My surround speaker system for watching video is only 5.1, and I use a 2nd set of speakers in another room to listen to audio CDs via 2 channel analog audio from my current DVD through the Marantz. Does the BD80 have a set-up option to send 5.1 uncompressed HD audio through my Marantz and use channels 6/7 as 2 channel L/R audio feed for my existing multi-room speaker set-up for audio CDs? I have been studying the BD60/80 online owners manual but can't quite figure it out.

If I can get confirmation that I can keep all my current functionality with Marantz 5.1 theater surround plus leverage 2 channel analog audio for separate room speakers, then it'll be clear that I do need to move to the BD80 - sorry for all the ignorant head-scratching questions!

Yes you can set/connect the player to 5.1 and everything else will work as you require.

Loves2Watch · 11-08-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvsoccer

I just discovered potentially another option but not sure if it clear things up. I took a look at the manual for my TV - Sony Grand Wega KDF-E42A10 and noticed that, in addition to one HDMI input, it has a Digital Audio Optical Output. In the manual it states "Connects to the optical audio input of a digital audio component that is PCM/Dolby Digital compatible." Wondering if that helps my situation???

Seems that I should be able to get uncompressed HD audio digitally to the Marantz via the TV and HDMI? I guess maybe the problem continues to be that the Marantz can't support the uncompressed digital codecs??? If that's the case I wonder how it treats the digital audio signal? argh!

Your TV will only send out 5.1 from it's internal TV tuner. Al else (other inputs) will be downgraded to 2 channel stereo.

luvsoccer · 11-08-2009, 09:13 AM

Thank you! That pretty much settles it. Looks like I should cancel the BD60 and upgrade to the BD80 and then go get some audio cables for the 5.1/2 channel analog feeds from the BD to the amp.

Although I do wonder if my older music DVDs such as Eagles Farewell I Tour - Melbourne will sound worse with 5.1 analog audio than the digital DTS codec encoded on the DVD. Do I also hook-up digital audio cables to support those older DVDs, or does it have to be one or the other?

And here's one more really dumb question - can I repurpose any analog audio cables from the 2 channel days (white/red) I have in the attic or is there something "special" about 5.1 analog cabling???

BIslander · 11-08-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvsoccer

I do wonder if my older music DVDs such as Eagles Farewell I Tour - Melbourne will sound worse with 5.1 analog audio than the digital DTS codec encoded on the DVD. Do I also hook-up digital audio cables to support those older DVDs, or does it have to be one or the other?

With analog, you are still listening to the DTS source from the disc. Digital always has to be converted to analog in order to be heard. The only difference is where the decoding, processing (bass management, EQ, etc), and digital-analog conversion take place. The decoding will be the same in either device. But, you may find the processing and digital-analog conversion is better in your receiver than the player. Or not. It depends on your equipment.

You can use both connections and select the one you want on your receiver. I use analog for lossless BD playback and digital for most everything else.

Quote:

And here's one more really dumb question - can I repurpose any analog audio cables from the 2 channel days (white/red) I have in the attic or is there something "special" about 5.1 analog cabling???

Yes, you can use any analog audio cables. But, it's always a good idea to get well constructed cables. Try monoprice.com. They make excellent cables at very reasonable prices.

luvsoccer · 11-08-2009, 10:23 AM

Thanks! Great advice - you answered all my questions, case closed! I like your approach - analog for lossless BD playback and digital for most everything else - I I think I'll start with the same set-up. Thanks again!

11-07-2009, 04:15 PM	#1
luvsoccer A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 10	Wondering if I Bought Correct Player - Pana BD60K I just ordered through Panasonic website a DMP-BD60K and am now wondering if I should have ordered the 80K. Got the 60K @ special price of $114+tax NEW (corporate discount plus rebate). The 80K was offered at $169+tax so seems like a good deal. My home theater audio system is: Marantz SR7400 which does not support HDMI. I have Sony 46" LCD rear projection with one HDMI that I use exclusively with upconverting Sony DVP-NS90V, and I use components for cable through TiVo. I also occasionally use 2 channel analog audio out on Sony to drive auxiliary speakers in another room through Marantz and it looks like the 80K for analog audio out only has the 7.1, no 2 channel. That's why I chose the 60 over the 80. If I understand things correctly - given my audio set-up I can't take full advantage of HD audio from Pana players because I'm not using HDMI except for video as Marantz doesn't support. Am I missing anything - is there any other reason I should have considered the 80K? I have 5.1 analog audio output on Sony but frankly never used it. The only downside I could find with 60K is that it only has a digital audio OPTICAL output, and I'm out of OPTICAL inputs on the Marantz so will have to give up something else. I thought I read somewhere some other special considerations for the 80K on the audio side, something about some settings causing a loss of low level/subwoofer sound. Sorry for the rambling and probably confusing note. I guess I'm just having a little buyers remorse wondering if I should have ordered the 80K instead. The $114 for the 60K seems a real bargain, plus it looks like it will hook-up identically to how I have been using my Sony DVD player. Any counsel?

11-07-2009, 06:14 PM	#2
sigill High Def fan Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: United kingdom-Manchester Age: 30 Posts: 2,519	I believe both Panasonic models are good BD players which ever one you choose. You say you can't get HD audio but it doesn't matter if you don't have HDMI on your reciever. You can go through the analogue connections on the Panasonic BD player and let it decode the HD codecs. __________________ Panasonic 37" LCD 720p/1080i Sony BDP-S350 Sony BDP-S300 Toshiba XDE-500 DVD player Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 AVR KEF1005.2 speakers Latest HD movies bought - Coraline - American Gangster - Moonraker 97 Blu-rays Last edited by sigill; 11-07-2009 at 06:17 PM.

11-07-2009, 07:52 PM	#3
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,402	But the BD80 has the 7.1 analog audio outputs while the BD60 does NOT have the 7.1 analog audio outputs. If the OP receiver has the 5.1/7.1 analog audio inputs then he should have bought the BD80 to get the HD audio. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

11-08-2009, 07:44 AM	#6
luvsoccer A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 10	More Confused Sorry - now I am more confused than ever. While my Marantz does have 7.1 analog audio input, I have never used it. I have always been pleased with the digital audio as fed by TiVo for HD broadcasts and DVD for upconverting standard DVDs. Moving to BluRay, I had not even considered worrying about HD audio, as the Marantz does not have an HDMI. While I have $2K invested in my home theater system, I did not think that the uncompressed HD audio available from BD discs would provide a worthwhile improvement over the digital codecs fed via digital input - such as DTS, DTS-Neo6,DTS-ES,DTS-96/24,Dolby Digital...My 2004-era Marantz supports those. It seems like moving backwards to feed Analog 7.1 from a BD player to my Marantz than staying with the "more modern" Digital Codecs which the Marantz was really designed to leverage. The marketing material for the BD80 even says "...for older receivers, 7.1 analog audio is available." That's my confusion. Another point of confusion - assuming I stay with the BD60 order and feed BD audio through the digital optical with digital codecs - will I have a subwoofer boost requirement, or is that only with the BD80 feeding uncompressed HD audio through the analog 7.1? Geesh - feel like I need to go get an EE degree!

11-08-2009, 08:13 AM	#9
luvsoccer A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 10	Starting to make sense OK - looks like I may need to cancel that sweetheart deal $114 order for the BD60 and pay $160 for the BD80. I still don't have a clear idea on one thing. My surround speaker system for watching video is only 5.1, and I use a 2nd set of speakers in another room to listen to audio CDs via 2 channel analog audio from my current DVD through the Marantz. Does the BD80 have a set-up option to send 5.1 uncompressed HD audio through my Marantz and use channels 6/7 as 2 channel L/R audio feed for my existing multi-room speaker set-up for audio CDs? I have been studying the BD60/80 online owners manual but can't quite figure it out. If I can get confirmation that I can keep all my current functionality with Marantz 5.1 theater surround plus leverage 2 channel analog audio for separate room speakers, then it'll be clear that I do need to move to the BD80 - sorry for all the ignorant head-scratching questions!

11-08-2009, 12:33 AM	#5
BIslander Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 574	The BD80 has multichannel analog and coax outputs and seems like a more appropriate player in the OP's circumstances. The low subwoofer output happens because while LFE is designed to play back 10dB louder than the other channels, it is output at the same level - in other words, it's 10dB low. This is done to prevent clipping during transmission. The sub channel must be boosted by 10dB in the receiver or at the sub itself in order to get the proper bass output. With some receivers that can be done by a simple setting change. With others, it is a bit more difficult.

11-08-2009, 08:26 AM	#10
luvsoccer A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 10	Hold The Phone - May Be Another Option??? I just discovered potentially another option but not sure if it clear things up. I took a look at the manual for my TV - Sony Grand Wega KDF-E42A10 and noticed that, in addition to one HDMI input, it has a Digital Audio Optical Output. In the manual it states "Connects to the optical audio input of a digital audio component that is PCM/Dolby Digital compatible." Wondering if that helps my situation??? Seems that I should be able to get uncompressed HD audio digitally to the Marantz via the TV and HDMI? I guess maybe the problem continues to be that the Marantz can't support the uncompressed digital codecs??? If that's the case I wonder how it treats the digital audio signal? argh!

11-08-2009, 09:13 AM	#13
luvsoccer A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 10	Thank you! That pretty much settles it. Looks like I should cancel the BD60 and upgrade to the BD80 and then go get some audio cables for the 5.1/2 channel analog feeds from the BD to the amp. Although I do wonder if my older music DVDs such as Eagles Farewell I Tour - Melbourne will sound worse with 5.1 analog audio than the digital DTS codec encoded on the DVD. Do I also hook-up digital audio cables to support those older DVDs, or does it have to be one or the other? And here's one more really dumb question - can I repurpose any analog audio cables from the 2 channel days (white/red) I have in the attic or is there something "special" about 5.1 analog cabling???

11-08-2009, 10:23 AM	#15
luvsoccer A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 10	Thanks! Great advice - you answered all my questions, case closed! I like your approach - analog for lossless BD playback and digital for most everything else - I I think I'll start with the same set-up. Thanks again!