Question about receivers/amps + HDMI

[Michael Tonge]

Hello all,

I have a (probably obvious) question about receivers & HDMI

If I bought a Toshiba HD-XE1 DVD player & a receiver (e.g. Sony STR-DA1200ES)

How would I get the full HD sound working? Would I put the HDMI cable from the DVD player into the receiver, and then another HDMI cable into the TV?

Is that how it works?

Only the DVD player only has 1 HDMI out...

[lazymatt]

Originally Posted by Michael Tonge

Hello all,

I have a (probably obvious) question about receivers & HDMI

If I bought a Toshiba HD-XE1 DVD player & a receiver (e.g. Sony STR-DA1200ES)

How would I get the full HD sound working? Would I put the HDMI cable from the DVD player into the receiver, and then another HDMI cable into the TV?

Is that how it works?

Only the DVD player only has 1 HDMI out...

Yes...except the Sony doesn't accept sound over HDMI. You need to look to the 3200 for that, or the Onkyo 605. Or there's a cheaper Sony...the model no. of which I can never remember, but retails for about £270.

[rEVILospud]

With the combination of a XE1 and a 1200ES you would connect the XE1 to your display by HDMI and to the 1200ES by multi-channel analogue; this would allow you to listen to the new audio formats.

I have the E1 and a 3200ES, this setup requires an HDMI cable from E1 to 3200ES and an HDMI cable from 3200ES to the display.

If you want to transfer the new audio formats over HDMI then you need an AV Receiver which accepts PCM over HDMI; the 1200ES doesn't do this.
I believe the cheapest receiver that can do this is still the Sony STR-DG910.

[Michael Tonge]

Originally Posted by rEVILospud

With the combination of a XE1 and a 1200ES you would connect the XE1 to your display by HDMI and to the 1200ES by multi-channel analogue; this would allow you to listen to the new audio formats.

I have the E1 and a 3200ES, this setup requires an HDMI cable from E1 to 3200ES and an HDMI cable from 3200ES to the display.

If you want to transfer the new audio formats over HDMI then you need an AV Receiver which accepts PCM over HDMI; the 1200ES doesn't do this.
I believe the cheapest receiver that can do this is still the Sony STR-DG910.

Thanks mate- is that Sony STR-DG910 receiver any good?

[rEVILospud]

I don't know to be honest.
I have heard the 1200ES and own the 3200ES and they are very similar sounding and I like them very much.
The 910 is in their budget range (rather than ES range), but I have not heard it; although I would assume that it wouldn't impress sound quality-wise as much.

Any particular reason your going for the XE1 over the E1?

[Michael Tonge]

Originally Posted by rEVILospud

I don't know to be honest.
I have heard the 1200ES and own the 3200ES and they are very similar sounding and I like them very much.
The 910 is in their budget range (rather than ES range), but I have not heard it; although I would assume that it wouldn't impress sound quality-wise as much.

Any particular reason your going for the XE1 over the E1?

Well the XE1 has had rave reviews and I would like to have 1080p as am considering purchase of Sony W2000 40 inch as they are bargainous at the moment.

Why, what are your thoughts?

[Garcian]

If it's 1080p you're after & you're connecting up via HDMI, you could always check out the Toshiba HD-EP10 - £249.99 at play.com. It would save you a few quid over the XE1, but you do lose the 5.1 analogue outs.

[spanky2k]

If I were you I'd consider getting the Toshiba HD-EP10 or HD-EP30 (which should be out soon if not already) and use the money that you save to go towards an Onkyo 650. You don't need the analogue audio outs of the XE1 if you've got an amp that supports sound over HDMI.

Edit: The Sony you mention with an XE1 would come in at £645 (£300 + £345). An Onkyo 650 and an HD-EP30 would clock in at £620 (£370 + £249). I'd say the second combo's a better buy - the picture quality will be the same between those two players but that Onkyo 650 is meant to be an outstanding amp.

[Michael Tonge]

Originally Posted by spanky2k

If I were you I'd consider getting the Toshiba HD-EP10 or HD-EP30 (which should be out soon if not already) and use the money that you save to go towards an Onkyo 650. You don't need the analogue audio outs of the XE1 if you've got an amp that supports sound over HDMI.

Edit: The Sony you mention with an XE1 would come in at £645 (£300 + £345). An Onkyo 650 and an HD-EP30 would clock in at £620 (£370 + £249). I'd say the second combo's a better buy - the picture quality will be the same between those two players but that Onkyo 650 is meant to be an outstanding amp.

Thanks mate - is the EP30 1080p?

I guess the XE1 is just got rave reviews, but am persuadable- where abouts did you see it for £345?? The cheapest I have found is £430. Do tell!

[lazymatt]

Originally Posted by Michael Tonge

Thanks mate - is the EP30 1080p?

I guess the XE1 is just got rave reviews, but am persuadable- where abouts did you see it for £345?? The cheapest I have found is £430. Do tell!

Click the linky he provided

Actually it's been a while since I've looked at standalone players, and they're certainly getting tempting in price.

[spanky2k]

If you click the links on the prices it'll take you to where I found them. The HD-XE1 is available for £344.67 here: http://www.memory-express.co.uk/inde...=2007-0911-443

The HP-EP10 and the HD-EP30 are both 1080p. As far as I know only the HD-EP1 isn't. The HD-EP30 and HD-EP35 are Toshiba's 3rd generation players whereas the EP1 and the XE1 are the 2nd generation. I'm confident that the HP-EP30 and HP-EP35 machines will be just as good as the XE1 in terms of picture quality.

[Michael Tonge]

Originally Posted by spanky2k

If you click the links on the prices it'll take you to where I found them. The HD-XE1 is available for £344.67 here: http://www.memory-express.co.uk/inde...=2007-0911-443

The HP-EP10 and the HD-EP30 are both 1080p. As far as I know only the HD-EP1 isn't. The HD-EP30 and HD-EP35 are Toshiba's 3rd generation players whereas the EP1 and the XE1 are the 2nd generation. I'm confident that the HP-EP30 and HP-EP35 machines will be just as good as the XE1 in terms of picture quality.

I imagine the build is cheaper on the EP30 materials-wise, it just seems strange that it is a lot cheaper even when it's newer.

But I guess expensive doesn't mean good!

[Michael Tonge]

Originally Posted by spanky2k

If you click the links on the prices it'll take you to where I found them. The HD-XE1 is available for £344.67 here: http://www.memory-express.co.uk/inde...=2007-0911-443

The HP-EP10 and the HD-EP30 are both 1080p. As far as I know only the HD-EP1 isn't. The HD-EP30 and HD-EP35 are Toshiba's 3rd generation players whereas the EP1 and the XE1 are the 2nd generation. I'm confident that the HP-EP30 and HP-EP35 machines will be just as good as the XE1 in terms of picture quality.

Has anyone actually bought the XE1 from memory express? Are they legit and reliable?