Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master HD question

I just got a brand new Samsung 3600 BD player, along with a brand new 55" Samsung LED 7100. The picture is simply awesome! I don't notice any difference in sound though, considering that 3600 has Dolby TruHD and DTS Master Audio HD capabilities. I have an Onkyo 804 receiver capable of HDMI 1.1. and have set it "direct" for pass through. How do I set my new BD player (Samsung 3600) to decode these new HD formats? Actually, the better question would be: would I be able to experience these new formats with my current setup? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The truth is, there is little audible difference between a well encoded lossy DVD track and the new lossless BD tracks. Only in a direct comparison will most people be able to notice anything. So don't go expecting to hear the same big change as you can see going from 480i to 1080p.

That said, the player (which I'm not familiar with its exact settings) should have an option for LPCM output. Since they Onkyo is only HDMI 1.1 it probably can't decode the lossless formats itself, so "bitsteam" shouldn't be used.

Hey Thyname,
Congrats on your new purchase.

I looked up TX-SR804 on the web and it seems that the receiver does not have decoders for Dolby True HD or DTC HD Master. Which means you will have to use the audio decoders your BD player has. Personally, I prefer setting the player to bitstream the audio signal and let me receiver do the decoding.

In your BD player menu, you should have the option to turn these decoders on (in audio settings or somewhere. The options maybe 'bitstream' or 'PCM', you will have to choose PCM). You should be able to experience HD sound with your setup, its just that your receiver will not show Dolby HD or DTS HD Master on its display, instead it will say PCM.

Hope this helps.

Thank you both of you for the reply. It is relieving to learn that I will not need to upgrade my receiver to a HDMI 1.3 capable one.

I had already set my BD player to PCM. I am not sure how to set the receiver (Onkyo 804) when the player is on. Direct? Pure Audio? or some type of Dolby ProLogic? In any case, PCM shows in my receiver display. I assume I am listening to Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master HD Master.

Check to see if there is an "audio" button or something similar available on the remote of your BD player which will let you display and/or change the audio soundtrack on the t.v that is playing currently.

It's been a while (i think) since you posted, I tried getting in touch with you for an audition....you missed out on some big bucks there thyname

I'm not sure about your Onkyo, but I use the "External Input" setting on my Denon.

Are you referring to Ext. In? If so that deals with the multi-channel analog connection.

Yes, it has been a very long time since I was here last. This is a very expensive hobby and I have tried unsuccessfully to keep my self distanced. Why didn't you emailed me instead?

Did you get Axioms?

Skerdi, long time no see. Yes, the PCM indication on your receiver is correct. Since the player is decoding the True HD or Master HD to PCM, the receiver has no way of knowing how it originally started out before being decoded. You're getting whatever audio quality may or may not be present in the Blu-ray. As Chris mentioned, the audio difference between the loss-less formats and the improved lossy DD and DTS content has been shown in blind testing to be nearly indistinguishable, so don't expect to hear a significant difference unless the particular disc wasn't processed equally well.