JimC wrote:
> I purchased an A35 a few months ago,
me too
current firmware is 2.0, is that what
you have on the machine? it *does*
make a difference. :)
> and I'm considering trading it in on a BluRay
> (my dealer has a partial exchange arrangement).
imho, of the 3rd gen players the A35 is
the one worth keeping (i've both an A3
and an A35)
you've already taken the loss on the A35;
yet the A35 has current *and* future value
(especially if you're really into lossless
multichannel sound). also, the A35 doesn't
down-convert DTS-HD into standard DTS (a.k.a.
core-DTS), whereas both the A3 and A30 do
> Since I
> haven't followed the BluRay models, I would appreciate suggestions for
> BluRay players with the best audio options, hopefully with the
> (eventual) capability of decoding, or at least bitstreaming, all the
> lossless codecs.
i can't really help you with Blu-Ray coz i don't
own one and don't have any experience with any
of them, other than that my reading about both
the discs and the players (stand alone) is that
it/they was/are (and still is) both more expensive
and an unfinished product and somewhat more
problematic (i.e. more bleeding edge)
not to mention that there's still a good supply
of HD-DVD discs that cost a fair amount less
than the BD discs
> The A35, for example, can output lossless audio through
> either HDMI or through analog RCA outs. (I'm aware that there isn't much
> software with high-rez audio now, but would prefer to be ready when it
> comes.) I really don't think I would use the profile 2.0 features, so
> that isn't of much interest. Also, I would prefer not to pay a premium
> price (prefer under $500 to $600)in view of the rapidly changing
> technology. I expect to get one of the HDMI 1.3 AVRs or pre/pros, so
> perhaps the bistream option is all I need.
fwiw, i currently have a Denon AVR-2307CI (1+ years old),
with a current 3808CI on order
both A3 and A35 work fine with the 2307CI, even though
the 2307CI doesn't decode either Dolby TrueHD nor DTS-HD.
both players have the ability to convert the lossless
5.1 sound into 5.1 PCM sound (in the player), and then
send that converted sound out (via HDMI cable) to the AVR.
the 2307 handles 5.1 PCM sound just fine (via HDMI cable only)
of course, the 3808CI decodes both Dolby TrueHD
and DTS-HD, so i'll have the option of letting
either the player do the decode, or letting the
3808CI AVR do the decode. it will be interesting
to compare if the 3808CI offers any noticeable sound
improvement when the 3808CI does the decoding
one key thing that i like about the 3808CI is that
it is about 9 pounds heavier than the 2307CI
of my current collection of HD-DVD movies (roughly 40),
roughly 15 have TrueHD 5.1 (Presley's old Jailhouse Rock
is in TrueHD 5.1 but the original is mono and the result,
while fairly decent sounding, still sounds very mono),
and not one of my real movies has 5.1 DTS-HD, although
several of them have DTS (which i think is the same as
"core DTS"). to my ear, for DTS 5.1, DD 5.1, and DD+ 5.1,
the pecking order is (worst to "best"):
DD 5.1, DD+ 5.1, DTS 5.1 (DTS 5.1 is noticeably better
than DD 5.1, but only a bit better than DD+ 5.1)
my additional 10 "music" discs:
4 are pop/rock: 2 with HD encoding of both
stereo LPCM as well as 5.1 DTS-HD, 1 with
5.1 TrueHD, and one with only 5.1 DD
imo, best sound/performance is Pat Metheny Group,
The Way Up 5.1 DTS-HD
6 are classical (of which opera, ballet, and
normal video of conductor/orchestra (especially
of a famous conductor like Pierre Boulez)
make the most sense to me; my two with still
pictures are a visual disappointment, but maybe
i'll change my mind with additional replays)
anyhow, of the 6 classical:
1. duo singing (disc currently being
replaced (no cost exchange)), fairly
sure it has 5.1 HD sound but don't
remember which one
2. Magic Flute opera, 5.1 TrueHD; sound
has been distant and have only listened
to about 1st 10 minutes due to continuing
adjustment of sound system, as well as
learning to use my recent A35 and A3 players
3. Swan Lake ballet, 5.0 DTS sound;
very good sound
4. Uncommon Bach (synthesized electronic sound),
5.1 DTS-HD; sound not so good, likely due
to the electronic synthesis process
5. Mahler Symphony2 (Boulez conducting),
confusingly marked (not9 uncommon!), sound is
in fact 5.1 TrueHD and is very very good,
maybe a tie with #6
6. Vivaldi (4 Seasons, Concertos for Double
Orchestra (still pix, ugh!)), 7.1 DTS-HD,
sound is very very good, maybe a tie with #5
out of curiousity, why do you think you need/want
HDMI 1.3?
>
> I would appreciate advice on the following options:
>
> 1) Keep the A35 until the BluRay technology is more mature.
> (The To****ba has great picture and sound, but I hesitate to invest in
> a dying technology.)
that "dying" technology is likely the
best deal. do you really need to have
Blu-Ray player and discs?
now that i've got real experience, i know
that it hasn't had that much to offer me,
coz i've yet to find that many movies with
great/compelling HD sound (i'm not talking
about the wiz-bang surround sound found
on modern thriller movies, i'm talking about
5.1 sound found on movies like Pride and
Prejudice (2005), Under the Tuscan Sun,
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999))
>
> 2) Get a PS3, keep the To****ba.
> (Apparently the most future-proof unit at the moment?)
>
> 3) Get a PS3, trade in the To****ba, and enjoy the BluRay video for the
> time being; plan on getting another unit in a year or so.
>
> 4) Wait for one of the new units scheduled for release in the next few
> months, such as the Sony 350 or 550, or later, the Oppo BluRay.
>
> 5) Other options?
use what you've got and get some
meaningful real experience
i'm finding that of 50 discs (so far),
there's only been one HD-DVD disc that
really makes me happy (a movie of all
things) and one that is close to that
(another movie), but i only have a modest
32" LCD TV, so for me it's mainly been
about the sound
the two movies are:
Pride and Prejudice (2005, an amazing performance
for the 20 year old female lead, which surprisingly
got very mixed reviews); great dialog, great acting,
great photography, memorable/great 5.1 TrueHD sound)
Blade Runner (final cut w/5.1 TrueHD, 5 disc set)
>
> Please excuse my ignorance concerning the BluRay options. - I didn't
> expect HD DVD to go down so suddently.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Cate
i plan to wait before buying into BD or any
other new HD format, hopefully a couple of years
or more
my 50 disc experience has opened my eyes
(and ears), and hasn't cost that much. :)
regular DVD looks like the far better deal
for the next few years
if you want great multichannel sound, and
great upscaling of standard DVDs with great
remote and player options, as well as speedy
response by the player, buy an OPPO player
and some SACD sound discs (see:
www.oppodigital.com or www.amazon.com)
bill
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