Blu-Ray, Sony STRDG820 Receiver and HDMI

chrism87 · 12-03-2008, 02:31 PM

I'm new to the forums here and I'm trying to find some answers. I've read quite a few threads and all research seems to eventually lead back to here, so I thought I'd see what everyone thinks.

Last week I purchased a Sony STRDG820 Receiver from Amazon. I couldn't resist because my old receiver had completely died and it was on sale for $190 for Black Friday. I also have a Boston Acoustic 5.1 speaker setup, a PS3, a Dish Network VIP222 HD DVR and my HDTV.

Currently everything is connected via HDMI to the receiver and the receiver is connected to the TV, also with HDMI. This setup seems to output great sound and video, but my TV does have 3 HDMI inputs.

I see no reason to connect the components to the TV directly since I'm also using the HDMI for sound. I also don't see any picture degradation, but I haven't had time to really experiment (this is my first HDMI capable receiver).

The only difference I've noticed is when you first start watching something broadcast in SD on the DVR it's displayed in 4:3 and takes a little longer than usual for the TV to change the format. A little irritating because it "resets" back to 4:3 after exiting the guide or menus, but the VIP units don't play well with my TV over HDMI without the receiver playing middle man.

So is it better to do HDMI to the TV and optical from the TV to the receiver? This seems less than optimal because optical would not give the best sound from Blu-Ray movies (TrueHD, etc.), correct? In other words, my current setup is best?

Amazon also treated me to yet another deal over the weekend. I bought a Sony BDP-S350 Blu-Ray player for my dad for Christmas for $200. Last year my mom bought him a very simple receiver for around $200 with 1 HDMI input. I wish I could remember what model, but it was a Pioneer. He also has a Sony Bravia HDTV.

So now I'm wondering what setup I should suggest for him. HDMI or use optical for the receiver?

Simple questions that have my asked plenty of times, but this is the first time I've had a decent setup to worry about this. Thanks for any help or advice.

marcallo · 12-03-2008, 02:54 PM

I have a higher end Onkyo reciever but I don't use any of it's upconversion. I run all 4 devices to it with HDMI and then run one wire to the TV. As I have everything set to Through it's basically a big HDMI extender. There should be NO issues using a reciever as a passthrough device as long as it's sending the full signal along.

I don't know about your particular combo but there are people here far wiser than I who may have more to add.

chrism87 · 12-03-2008, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the input Marcallo! I'm pretty sure my setup can't be improved with my current equipment, like you said, but I can't help myself from wondering and tweaking. The Sony 820 shouldn't be upconverting or doing anything the signal, but that is something I might look into just to be sure it's not tinkering with it as it passes through.

**PFC5** · 12-03-2008, 03:38 PM

You need to use the HDMI connection to get the HD audio. Since it is digital anyway there should be no loss of PQ/SQ using the HDMI going through the receiver, unless there is something wrong with the equipment in the chain. I do the same thing by running everything through the receiver via HDMI and do not have the optical even connected so I always know I am getting the best sound.

Running it all through the receiver is more convenient so you do not have to change the input on both the receiver AND the display, but then if two connected devices need different picture adjustment settings, because they do not output at the same gamma/brightness, etc then you need to set them up separately to the other HDMI inputs on the display and will need that optical cable for it also. The likely choice for what to bypass the receiver's HDMI input in this case would obviously be anything BUT the BD player since you want the HD audio.

Hope this helps & welcome to the forum!

chrism87 · 12-03-2008, 03:56 PM

Thanks for the advice and welcome PFC5! I'll continue to use HDMI and make sure I don't have any optical cables connected to ensure the best sound.

12-03-2008, 02:31 PM	#1
chrism87 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	Blu-Ray, Sony STRDG820 Receiver and HDMI I'm new to the forums here and I'm trying to find some answers. I've read quite a few threads and all research seems to eventually lead back to here, so I thought I'd see what everyone thinks. Last week I purchased a Sony STRDG820 Receiver from Amazon. I couldn't resist because my old receiver had completely died and it was on sale for $190 for Black Friday. I also have a Boston Acoustic 5.1 speaker setup, a PS3, a Dish Network VIP222 HD DVR and my HDTV. Currently everything is connected via HDMI to the receiver and the receiver is connected to the TV, also with HDMI. This setup seems to output great sound and video, but my TV does have 3 HDMI inputs. I see no reason to connect the components to the TV directly since I'm also using the HDMI for sound. I also don't see any picture degradation, but I haven't had time to really experiment (this is my first HDMI capable receiver). The only difference I've noticed is when you first start watching something broadcast in SD on the DVR it's displayed in 4:3 and takes a little longer than usual for the TV to change the format. A little irritating because it "resets" back to 4:3 after exiting the guide or menus, but the VIP units don't play well with my TV over HDMI without the receiver playing middle man. So is it better to do HDMI to the TV and optical from the TV to the receiver? This seems less than optimal because optical would not give the best sound from Blu-Ray movies (TrueHD, etc.), correct? In other words, my current setup is best? Amazon also treated me to yet another deal over the weekend. I bought a Sony BDP-S350 Blu-Ray player for my dad for Christmas for $200. Last year my mom bought him a very simple receiver for around $200 with 1 HDMI input. I wish I could remember what model, but it was a Pioneer. He also has a Sony Bravia HDTV. So now I'm wondering what setup I should suggest for him. HDMI or use optical for the receiver? Simple questions that have my asked plenty of times, but this is the first time I've had a decent setup to worry about this. Thanks for any help or advice.

12-03-2008, 03:38 PM	#4
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,349	You need to use the HDMI connection to get the HD audio. Since it is digital anyway there should be no loss of PQ/SQ using the HDMI going through the receiver, unless there is something wrong with the equipment in the chain. I do the same thing by running everything through the receiver via HDMI and do not have the optical even connected so I always know I am getting the best sound. Running it all through the receiver is more convenient so you do not have to change the input on both the receiver AND the display, but then if two connected devices need different picture adjustment settings, because they do not output at the same gamma/brightness, etc then you need to set them up separately to the other HDMI inputs on the display and will need that optical cable for it also. The likely choice for what to bypass the receiver's HDMI input in this case would obviously be anything BUT the BD player since you want the HD audio. Hope this helps & welcome to the forum! __________________ 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

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12-03-2008, 02:54 PM	#2
marcallo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 451	I have a higher end Onkyo reciever but I don't use any of it's upconversion. I run all 4 devices to it with HDMI and then run one wire to the TV. As I have everything set to Through it's basically a big HDMI extender. There should be NO issues using a reciever as a passthrough device as long as it's sending the full signal along. I don't know about your particular combo but there are people here far wiser than I who may have more to add.

12-03-2008, 03:07 PM	#3
chrism87 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	Thanks for the input Marcallo! I'm pretty sure my setup can't be improved with my current equipment, like you said, but I can't help myself from wondering and tweaking. The Sony 820 shouldn't be upconverting or doing anything the signal, but that is something I might look into just to be sure it's not tinkering with it as it passes through.

12-03-2008, 03:56 PM	#5
chrism87 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	Thanks for the advice and welcome PFC5! I'll continue to use HDMI and make sure I don't have any optical cables connected to ensure the best sound.