ADDENDUM CORRECTION

The above post is only partially correct.

There can be processing of the audio in the player as it can be set to downsample for PCM only output.

I'm guessing, (and pleae correct me if I'm wrong as I hate seeing wrong info posted) but if the setup is for HDMI bitstream audio out then HD bitstream audio from the disc -> audio processor without change. Similarly, if the output is set to PCM to exit the Toslink or coax digital out -> audio processor without change from 16/48 recordings.

But there are several other variations inbetween these straightforward paths and there has to be processing if downsampling occurs.

So, my "idea" (more of a nightmare) of taking PCM out from the secondary digital toslink/coax to an external processor (not the 861) has turned out to be more complicated than first thought. What I describe below most likely applies to most Bluray players.

First up with the Panasonic, if the secondary digital out is configured to be on, then the player will only process the old vanilla DD 5.1. Further than that the audio configuration must be PCM, not bitstream if there is to be anything useful for the external audio DAC.

So, for HD bitstream the Panasonic must be set to bitstream and the secondary audio set to off.

For any useful output from the secondary audio it must be set to on and the bitstream setting changed to PCM.

This is not an exercise one would normally relish. However the programmable remote comes to the rescue with 23 macro steps (11 of them 0.2 seconds of delays) to achieve the change of settings in the player. Fortunately the bitstream <-> PCM and the secondary audio on <-> off are A/B toggles so the same simple button push on the programmed remote (a HTM 850) makes the changes between the two options easy.

So I can now use the Panasonic the way I want to. For all movies, Bluray or DVD with uncritcal audio recorded, the audio goes out the HDMI -> HD621 -> 861 -> MC sound. Simple.

But for critical music videos that do not have the HD codecs onboard (and that is all DVDs of course, and they will be set to stereo out) the Panasonic will have its digital audio output through the secondary toslink -> a modified Benchmark DAC1 -> McIntosh preamp

From here the L/R will go direct to the L/R amps and speakers but a secondary feed out of the preamp -> Meridian 861 -> synthesised surround sound with a great choice of DSP modes.

If you have hung in with this boring diatribe so far you might want to know why the hell I make something relatively simple so complicated.

Well bear in mind I'm an audio nutter left over from last century, being particularly paranoid about not corrupting the precious L/R audio on good music material. Much as I love the 861, unless you set it to direct (so get no synthesised surround) the L/R audio is mushed up to a greater or lesser extent depending on which DSP mode is chosen. So my PCM option gives that uncorrupted 2CH + surround.

And yes, the video did pose a problem, overcome with an HDMI splitter so both settings on the 861 (Bluray and Preamp) took video from the two corresponding settings on the HD621.

And I dislike toslink and have the system set up for coax so the Panasonic will be modified to use coax out for that secondary digital audio feed. Yes playing with these toys is fun, but can be challenging at times!!!

John