In the article by Allan Lofft of 4/29/08 titled Surrond Sound Buyers Guide, he says that if I don't have an avr with True HD decoding capability, then the audio from my source that does decode True HD must go to the avr via 8 multi-channel analog inputs. Question: If I use an HDMI cable to run from a Sony PS3 to a Sony STRDG-720 avr (with full HDMI a/v pass through but does not de-code True HD), shouldn't it produce True HD when the PS3 is playing a Blu-ray disc with True HD sound? Doesn't the HDMI do what 8 analog cables would do? Thanks.
If you have HDMI and your receiver can decode the PCM channels in it (they all do except perhaps some very old early HDMI receivers) than the PS3 will decode all the audio and send it as 5.1-7.1 PCM audio at the resolution contained in the material.
Shorter answer: Yes, it will do the same (actually even more flexible as your receiver can manage the bass).
you don't need to have analog connections to allow the player to do the decoding.
I use the denon 3808 (which can do the decoding) but the ps3 won't allow that to occur. MY ps3 just decodes it and sends it via hdmi and it sounds great. The "dolby trueHD" light on my receiver doesn't light up since it is not doing the decoding (it just says mulit channel in), but when I hit the display button on the ps3 it says "dolby trueHD".
David,
That helps me to better understand how it works. Thanks.