[keysersoze123]

Hi there,

As soon as I think I'm starting to learn a bit more about AV, I realise how little I actually know.

I was reading a review in "Home Cinema Choice" magasine, and they did a group test of blu-ray players.

One of the players was given a thumbs up for the fact that it had "analogue audio output". What exactly does that mean?

I know that vinyl is analogue sound, and Cds mp3s etc are digital. So if a Blu-Ray player outputs analogue sound, does that just mean it has an internal DAC or something? With the others (which don't have analogue audio output) would you need an external DAC? Would the TV have the relevant external DAC inside it? Because obviously most people who buy a Blu-Ray player wouldn't but a separate DAC... or AVR for that matter..

If you have an AVR, does this all become redundant, because it does all the processing anyway? Would the"analogue audio output" on the Blu-Ray player still be a plus if you were using an AVR?

Help! Confused again!!

Thanks,

Keyser

[Bossk128]

Originally Posted by keysersoze123

snip
So if a Blu-Ray player outputs analogue sound, does that just mean it has an internal DAC or something? With the others (which don't have analogue audio output) would you need an external DAC? Would the TV have the relevant external DAC inside it? Because obviously most people who buy a Blu-Ray player wouldn't but a separate DAC... or AVR for that matter..

If you have an AVR, does this all become redundant, because it does all the processing anyway? Would the"analogue audio output" on the Blu-Ray player still be a plus if you were using an AVR?

Help! Confused again!!

Thanks,

Keyser

You're mostly right. If your surround sound receiver can take audio from HDMI, then your Blu Ray player doesn't need analogue outs- the player will supply both SD sound (from DVDs) and HD sound (from BluRays) and the amp will decode and play both. If you have an older receiver, which only has optical/coaxial, then you will only get standard def surround sound from DVDs and Blu Ray (no HD sound). If your older receiver has analogue in as well (8 phonos in, not to be confused with 8 phonos out which is for supplying optional supplemental power amps), then you can get HD sound if the Blu Ray player has analogue outs.