[djsky]

I currently have a Denon avr 3805 and have now got a PS3.

I'm running the picture via Component through the amp to a projector, but was wondering instead of spendig loads of dosh on a new amp, can I not just buy a cheap and cheerful decoder that will input hdmi and output 7.1 discreet channels that I can plug into the external 7.1 inputs on my denon?

I'm mainly after decoding the lossless 7.1 pcm channels, but if there's one fairly cheap that may do DTS-MA and the other lossless dolby codecs, that would be even better.

[Thumpermawer]

Now that, my friend, is what I'm talking about!

There are no HDMI inputs on my receiver but 6 chan input's a go go. I'd never considered such a device but would be interested to hear how others have got along with one. Just done a quick google but came up dry. If the mythical beast exists it could be a good value upgrade.

[Rob100]

I don't think such a device exists, but I personally think there is a market for such a device. Maybe combined with a HDMI switch, so something like...

3 x HDMI in
1 x HDMI out (or maybe 2 and make it a 3x2 HDMI matrix switch)
7.1 analogue output
Firmware upgradeable

And on a per input basis have:
EQ adjustment
Audio delay
Levels adjustment

Time will tell if such a device is ever made. Hmm...

[ripclaw]

A company called Zektor in the US has been working on a 7.1 switching device which is rumoured to also include HDMI switching. I'm not sure when they're going to release this product. It's been called the Zektor MAS7.1 . People have seen demos of it at CEDIA, etc.

Check out http://www.zektor.com

Edit: Found the link to the MAS7.1 : http://www.zektor.com/mas71/index.html

[Rob100]

Yes, but it doesn't "convert" HDMI PCM audio to the analogue output.

[ripclaw]

Originally Posted by Rob100

Yes, but it doesn't "convert" HDMI PCM audio to the analogue output.

True, but if it did, it would be perfect. Then there would be no need to upgrade your receiver / surround sound processor. I don't see a manual for this product as it's probably in final stages of development.

[ripclaw]

Originally Posted by Rob100

Yes, but it doesn't "convert" HDMI PCM audio to the analogue output.

I was reading up a very good review of the Toshiba HD-XA2 HD-DVD player by Audio Video Revolution and came across this very interesting bit of information. From page 1:

As of this review you can count commercially available receivers or AV preamps that can decode either of these new formats on one hand, but the HD-XA2 features onboard decoding of Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus and then outputs the analog signal via the player’s multi-channel outputs thanks to the player's high-performance SHARC® DSP digital-to-analog converters, or output multi-channel linear PCM via the HDMI output. With the HDMI 1.3 connector, the player will be able to send the encoded bitstream audio signal to Dolby TrueHD-capable next-generation receivers. However, I found a nifty device by PureLink that can extract out the Dolby TrueHD soundtracks without the player having to do the decoding and send it to a non Dolby TrueHD-decoding receiver. More on that later when I discuss HDMI switching.

And even further, from page 2:

Searching for an alternative way to effectively switch HDMI, I installed a PureLink HS-42A 4-in x 2-out HDMI switcher. The coolest feature of this box isn’t the fact that it effectively switches HDMI. This is currently the only box that can actually digitally strip out the high-res soundtracks from HD DVD and Blu-ray players that are using the HDMI output and convert it into optical or digital coaxial audio to run into your receiver or AV preamp. As I stated earlier, the player can decode and output these audio tracks via multi-channel analog outputs, or digital audio via the HDMI cable in linear PCM, but this PureLink box strips out the high-def audio tracks and sends them to any multi-channel AV receivers. Only a few receivers are available currently that support HDMI 1.3 and the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD formats. Onkyo is one such company, having just released the TX-SR605 receiver. However, the HS-42A switcher is able to strip the high-res soundtracks and decode them into linear bitstream, so you can enjoy the new Dolby and DTS formats without having to wait for capable AV receivers to be released on the market.

If this does what the review states it does, i.e. it can output the hi-def audio tracks via the coaxial or optical outputs, then that would be a better alternative than the Zektor MAS7.1 . For those interested in reading the review, here it is:

Toshiba HD-XA2 review

For further information on the HDMI switcher:
PureLink HS-42A

If the Purelink HS-42A does what is states it does, then there is no need to buy a new receiver / surround sound processor for a long time.

[Keiron]

I too would be interested in a product like this. However, the Purelink item you link to there seems only to have HDMI in and out plus digital. It doesn't "strip out" the audio into what I assumed was a set of phono connectors?

[ripclaw]

Originally Posted by Keiron

I too would be interested in a product like this. However, the Purelink item you link to there seems only to have HDMI in and out plus digital. It doesn't "strip out" the audio into what I assumed was a set of phono connectors?

You're right, but it does strip the audio out and keeps it in the digital domain. If you have an extra coaxial or optical input on your receiver or surround sound processor, then it shouldn't be a problem.

[Keiron]

Originally Posted by ripclaw

You're right, but it does strip the audio out and keeps it in the digital domain. If you have an extra coaxial or optical input on your receiver or surround sound processor, then it shouldn't be a problem.

But optical and coaxial do not carry HD audio signals. This product linked to is little more than an HDMI switcher - the item described is a quite different thing.

[Rob100]

But the player XA2 or whatever will give you a digital output.

Don't see the point in this function really, what we need is HDMI in and analogue phono/RCA's out. This is the only way to get HD audio formats in their full glory into a "legacy" receiver.

[ripclaw]

Originally Posted by Keiron

But optical and coaxial do not carry HD audio signals. This product linked to is little more than an HDMI switcher - the item described is a quite different thing.

I can understand your sceptism, but I have this sneaking suspicion that this switcher really can strip out the HD audio and pass it via the coaxial or digital outputs.

[Keiron]

Originally Posted by ripclaw

I can understand your sceptism, but I have this sneaking suspicion that this switcher really can strip out the HD audio and pass it via the coaxial or digital outputs.

Firstly, I didn't think you could get HD audio of any variety through coax or optical - I'm happy to be corrected though.

Second, even if you could, in this scenario you would still need a processor that can decode HD audio, which rather defeats the object! What I would be looking for, as I believe the OP is hinting at, is a box of tricks that accepts HDMI inputs, then outputs the HD audio via phono outputs.

[surrey lad]

Originally Posted by ripclaw

I can understand your sceptism, but I have this sneaking suspicion that this switcher really can strip out the HD audio and pass it via the coaxial or digital outputs.

I'm sure you will end up with standard Dolby Digital/DTS.
HD audio, DVD audio and SACD can not be carried from player to processor via digital coax or optical.