I've got the Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver. Which HD-DVDplayer out there should I consider to get TrueHD output. I know that there is the fact of bit-stream v.s. PCM to consider, correct? I would like to use only HDMI. My 705 is able to decode TrueHD, so should that factor into the equation? Thanks
The thing to remember is that TrueHD should sound the same whether it's decoded by the player or by your Onkyo AVR. So to answer your question you can get True HD from any HD DVD player out there. Just let the player do the decoding and transmit the decoded 5.1 signal thru HDMI. On the other hand, if you want your AVR to do the decoding then your choices are limited. AFAIK only the A35 can, at this time, send the undecoded True HD bitstream thru HDMI. The XA2 also has an HDMI 1.3 port but the ability to pass undecoded audio bitstream hasn't been enabled. The upcoming models from Onkyo and Integra should be able to pass the undecoded True HD bitstream.
The HD-A35 series are the only players that can output a Dolby TrueHD signal at this time. You can say this is a limitation but I assure you it really doesn't matter. IMO passing a Dolby TrueHD bit-stream is pointless. Its all marketing hype. On another topic, the DTS folks are working close with Sony to add DTS-HDMA decoding and pass through to the PS3 just in time for Christmas, go figure? Ced
Ced: I thought the PS3's HDMI 1.3 chip - the Si9132 - wasn't capable of transmitting TrueHD and DTS-HD MA bitstream. I read somewhere that you need the Si9134 chip for bitstream transmission. Maybe it's just DTS HD MA decoding for the PS3? Or do the later PS3 builds have the newer Si9134 chip?
