Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems BR Is the King OF HD.

Bluray players certainly don`t re-encode the audio I know that much for certain as the format deals with the Dolby codecs differently to HD DVD. Quite why both formats handle Dolby differently seems to be related to packetizing constraints in HD DVD which lead to the necessary mandate of DD+ for the format. Direct your eyes to page 6 of the whitepaper that breaks down how the codecs are implemented in each format.

http://www.dolby.com/assets/pdf/tech_library/DPlus_TrueHD_whitepaper.pdf

It`s certainly what the Toshiba and RCA (which was a re-badged A1) do yes. DD+ is converted to PCM and then to 1.5mbps DTS for use over coax/optical. The Xbox 360 I believe downmixes everything to 448kbps (it might even be lower than that actually). Microsoft have said they`re looking into implementing a DTS re-encoding solution for the 360 next year available I`d imagine in its next downloadable update. I`m actually not aware of any complaints about the real time encoding going on in the Toshiba units though.

Congrates Jerry! I'll bet the quality differences increase with the 1080p projector as Mark indicates. I'll be using a 1080P 3chip Ruby - Can't wait based on your review;
I'm out all day today (a big Disney outing overhere);

George - many of the BD titles caryy uncompressed LPCM multi-channel; The Panasonic player will output 7.1 analogue, otherwise it's a typical 'need HDMI' to get full bandwidth digital.

gotta run-
ken

Ken,

I wasn't referring to full bandwidth stuff which is a whole other story. I just wanted to understand how the two formats feed the Coax/Toslink.

I have blu-ray discs that are several formats include one dics that says only LPCM. So what is coming out the optical output? Is Standard DD mandatory on all Blu-rays (even though it may not be listed on the cover)? Or is the player downmixing it to DD 5.1?

I think with Bluray a lossy track is certainly mandatory, but whether it is Dolby, DTS or both is up the content provider. Fox's discs for example don't have Dolby at all, just DTS HD Master Audio which has lossy 1.5mbps DTS stream imbedded within it.

I'm not aware of Bluray players downmixing LPCM to DD 5.1. To the best of my knowledge if selecting LPCM on a Sony or Disney disc it'll only downconvert it to 2.0 PCM over coax/toslink.

Jerry:

Enjoy, I know I do my HD-A1.

For a real treat, hook it up to an internet connection, upgrade the FW to 2.0 and use analog outs into the IA45 or the analog ins if you have a G68. Sorry, I don't recall what processor you have.

Then you can get TrueHD which sounds, well, awesome

Best,

I should have caught up before posting my previous.

If you want something to really get your attention. Serenity isn't anywhere near the best that HD-DVD has to offer.

Aeon Flux, Batman Begins and King Kong all look dramatically better. Not that Serenity sucks by any stretch mind you, just that these look much better.

I have yet to watch V for Vendetta to comment on its PQ. The SD-DVD was a bit soft.

Cheers,

Thanks John. last night I ordered these (so Mark, your plot has worked! )

1 "The Bourne Supremacy [HD DVD]"
Bourne Supremacy; HD DVD;

1 "Batman Begins [HD DVD]"
HD DVD;

1 "Cinderella Man [HD DVD]"
Cinderella Man; HD DVD;

1 "U-571 [HD DVD]"
U571; HD DVD;

1 "Goodfellas [HD DVD]"
Frank Adonis; HD DVD;

1 "Friday Night Lights [HD DVD]"
Angie Bolling; HD DVD;

1 "The Fugitive [HD DVD]"
Mike Bacarella; HD DVD;

1 "Ray"
Curtis Armstrong; HD DVD;

1 "Backdraft (HD DVD)"
Kurt Russell; HD DVD;

1 "Seabiscuit [HD DVD]"
Royce D. Applegate; HD DVD;

1 "The Italian Job [HD DVD]"
Gregory Scott Cummings; HD DVD;

1 "Grand Prix [HD DVD]"
HD DVD;

1 "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory [HD-DVD]"
Gene Wilder; HD DVD;

1 "Field of Dreams [HD DVD]"
HD DVD;

These are all movies I would watch repeatedly. I will be sure to really look out for Batman. Now how is Aeon as a movie? I understand its no Lawrence of Arabia but is it at least fun? If so I may add this for its reference qualities.

best regards,
Jerry

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JerryL:
so Mark, your plot has worked!

One down, two to go

Mark

Again my two cents.....

You all should seriously give BD a try. I don't understand why you guys buying so many HD titles all at once. I have both formats and BD's picture looks way much better then HD. You owe it to your self's to give BD a try. There are A lot of pluses for BD format. The Tosh is way too slow even with FW update. When BD prevails you guys wish you tried BD sooner.

I believe that Batman Begins is the first HD disc (of either type) to be awarded 5/5 (reference quality) for both picture and sound (TrueHD) by WideScreenReview.

Mark_H. I think I'm already sold. I just needed pushing over one side of the fence... I mean, what's the point of owning a player of a superior format if I don't buy any discs?

Just a Fan,
I will probably give BD a try, but aside from The Fifth Element, I have not found a title that actually turns me on- this makes my putting it off easier. That and the hope that one format conquers the other and the other expectation that players will get better with time and I am in the process of altering my theater so I can afford to wait.

best regards,
Jerry

Hey Jerry. All this HD DVD posting has pushed you over 1000 posts! Congrats.