Can you take advantage of new sound modes available in HD and Blu Ray players with old receivers or processors

Question

Hi, I was wondering, do I really have to purchase any of the new receivers/Processors available now or coming out soon with HDMI inputs and DTS HD and Dolby Plus modes available in order to take advantage of the new sound modes in HD and Blu Ray players. Do you really need an HDMI input in your receiver/processor to hear the new sound modes also

Answer 1

Just make sure that you have the following:

1) Uncompressed discrete audio outs (RCA or XLR)on your source device.

2) A discrete multi channel input on you receiver or amp.

3) The source device supports those formats on that output. Not all have them or support it so read the manual on the player before you buy.
It will not be transported by HDMI but you bypass the receivers "older" processor for the one in the Player


edit: apparently I was not clear to some below. I never said the receiver in this hook up would decode the signal, but the source device should do this just fine, note the need for analog decoded discrete outputs and inputs!

Answer 2

Most receivers old and new won't be able to decode the new lossless/uncompressed audio formats, unless you buy a rather expensive and high end receiver or pre-amp/processor.

A player with 6 analog audio outputs will decode the sound from within the player, but as far as I know, no players can decode DTS Master HD, you only get the core DTS track if you select this sound mode. You can however, still get Dolby TrueHD and PCM uncompressed sound simply by connecting 3 pairs of stereo analog cables from the player to your receiver.

Answer 3

The simple answers are Yes, and Yes (You need both HDMI 1.3 and a special receiver).

However, these formats are offered in addition to standard Dolby Digital and DTS, so old receivers will be able to provide quality audio as well.

Answer 4

Clearly, an "old" processor or receiver will not be able to decode and play a "new" digital audio format. But you don't need to throw away your old processor because there are still audio tracks on the discs which it can decode.