If your source (HD-DVD, BD, or PS3) has the decoders for TrueHD, DTS HD etc. and can output it as PCM over HDMI, then all you need is a receiver which accepts PCM over HDMI (or infact has 8-channel analogue inputs, as long as your source does); there is no need for the receiver to have the specific decoders.
It is all so confusing, but after weeks of reading posts all over I am starting to get the grasp of it all. I still have to choose a receiver. I have almost settled on the Sony's but just got a bit more ruling out to do. As far as I can see it, in their price range the Sony 3200/5200 are the only receivers that feature 8-channel linear PCM decoding via HDMI. That makes them the most future proof in this price range. Am I correct ?
formulaonenut.
I've read somewhere that it might actually be preferable to gave the player decode the latest HD sound formats than the amp. Has anyone else read/heard this?