5.1-Channel/multi-Channel Output info

[wjb510]

I recently got a Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray player and have a Yamaha HTR-5760 receiver. I’ve always used optical cables for the audio in my home theater, but now I’m faced with a problem. With the optical cable I’m not able to take advantage of Uncompressed PCM 5.1 audio. I am not able to use HDMI for my audio (my Yamaha receiver does not have HDMI inputs/outputs) so that leaves me looking at 5.1-Channel/multi-Channel cables.
I’ve never used this type of connection, what are the pros and cons with 5.1-Channel/multi-Channel connections vs. optical?

[chlngr1970]

Pros:

• You get the 5.1 PCM sound, just transmitted analog
• A dedicated input

Cons:

• More cables to buy
• Analog transmission instead of digital
• If you have a separate SACD/DVD-A player, a switch is necessary

It's hard to pop off a list like this, but consider this. Which device has better DACs. The player, or the receiver. The 5760 is a pretty good unit. What I would do, is pick up a good set of analog stereo cables, ( three pair will do the trick ) and try it out. Sales people will try and get you to buy some expensive stuff, but you realy only need to spend about $20-30 bucks. Compair analog to digital, and see if you hear a difference. Also, see if your receiver supports layering PL2 over the analog inputs. If I am remembering correctly, that year receiver doesn't do that. It doesn't allow processing of the 5.1 input ( I couldn't find that info on the Yamaha site, it should be in the manual. )

Of course, the real solution is to pick up a shiny new AVR/ Pre/Pro that handles HDMI audio, and REALY have fun

j

[firestorm]

I think that covers it pretty well. I haven't reached that road yet, but I would be in the same boat with my Yamaha RX-V1300; no HDMI, just 6.1 analog inputs. I have compared digital to analog interconnects with my Squeezebox though. The DAC is that was said to be pretty decent; not great, but respectable. When I switched to toslink, thus using the DAC in the Yamaha, the quality and clarity seemed to be about the same, but the image improved drastically. That's not high res audio though. I think it's pretty safe to say that noise being introduced on analog interconnects that are that short shouldn't be an issue, so simply being analog isn't necessary a con IMO. I would certainly give it a try and see what you get. And 3 sets of stereo cables will definitely fit the bill. You could always get them from HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! for more savings.

[wjb510]

thanks for you help.... I looked up my receivers manual online. it looks like i can hookup both optial and multi-channel (the receiver defaults to digital then I switch to analog by a press of a button).

[wjb510]

do i have to worry about processing of the 5.1 input if I'm just using the multi-channel connection for PCM audio?

[chlngr1970]

That is all dependant on weather or not your receiver even does processing of the 5.1 input. If you can, give it a try. Turn on the 5.1 input and see if you can activate ( ) a sound field, like Pro Logic IIx, or dts Neo 6. If you can, experiment and see what sounds good to you. In this relm, there is no correct answer of to process or not to process. It's all a matter of personal taste.

j

[wjb510]

Well, I hooked up the blu-ray player via the rca cables (made sure I didn’t get cheap ones, but I didn’t spend a fortune). All the speakers seem to work fine...the surround sound is separating to the different speaks.
The only issue I have is with the sub woofer. When I turn on the multi-channel input it just hums, no audio from the soundtrack goes thru it just hums. The sub woofer works fine with Dolby digital using optical.

[Sycho]

Originally Posted by firestorm

You could always get them from HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! for more savings.

Damn you!!! I just went there and ordered a 4 port component switcher!
But it is IR learning and was $35 shipped.

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by wjb510

The only issue I have is with the sub woofer. When I turn on the multi-channel input it just hums, no audio from the soundtrack goes thru it just hums. The sub woofer works fine with Dolby digital using optical.

Did you set up your 5.1 output in the players menu? There, you can adjust levels, and distances. It's the same basic principle as setting up your receiver. The player will send out test tones to each speaker. Using the trusty Radio Shack Analog SPL meter, you set the main volume at reference level ( usually 0 on the dial, ) and adjust the output of each channel to 75db. I usually add 5-10 db on the sub

Of course, this could mean that your receiver has the problem with not properly boosting the LFE input, in which case, you have to set all the levels down 10db to compensate for the bug. If you do a search for LFE bug, you will see there are MANY threads about it/

Good Luck!

j