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New BDP, Old AVR

Scott Wilkinson  |  Sep 23, 2011

I read HT's review of the Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player, which was very helpful. I have an older AVR (Pioneer Elite VSX-43TX, 96/24 capable, but no HDMI or DTS/Dolby HD decoders), so if I get the BDP-93, the review suggests that I connect HDMI from the Oppo to my new Panasonic TC-P65VT30 plasma and use analog outputs to the AVR. But what about using either coax or optical out from the BDP-93 to the AVR? At least that would cut down on the cabling and clutter. Also, will I hear the benefits of Dolby or DTS HD audio via analog or digital audio from the Oppo, since the Elite is 96/24 capable?

Peter Kukiel

If you connect the coax or optical digital-audio output from the BDP-93 to the AVR, you won't hear Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD in their full glory—you'll hear only legacy Dolby Digital and DTS, because coax and optical connections cannot carry the new audio bitstreams. The only way to get the full benefit of the new audio formats in your system is to use the multichannel analog outputs from the Oppo (shown above) to the Pioneer.

As for whether or not you'll hear the benefits of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD over legacy Dolby Digital and DTS, only you can determine that for yourself. Some folks say they hear a huge difference, while others say the difference is minimal. I believe it depends in part on the quality of the rest of the audio system and the amount of experience the listener has.

If you have an A/V question, please send it to askhometheater@gmail.com.

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