Panasonic dmp-bd10

Just received the panasonic dmp-bd10 from Ebay - $200 like new condition. Since I need onboard HD audio decoding and multichannel analogue surround, seems like a good fit, especially since I don't care about profile 1.1, or 2.0. I plan to hook up tonight, upgrade the firmware and will test it this weekend. I have a couple audio questions I'm hoping someone can shed some light on.

Since I will be using the 7.1 analogue connections, I plan on using cheap plain old composite cables that come with every plain old dvd player. Many of the cables have red, white & yellow, with the yellow usually carrying the video signal in the "older" days. Can the yellow cable also carry the audio signal? I'm guessing it can but just want to make sure I don't need to buy some more cables. Also, what if I use extra component video cables? can they carry the audio signal? I always thought they are special for the video signal only.

Also, this player lacks and will always lack DTS-HD Master audio, but has Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High resolution audio. If my only HD audio option on a blu-ray movie is DTS-HD Master audio, any idea what a player like this will downconvert that to? Any chance it will be DTS-HD high resolution, or will it simply downconvert to DTS? Doesn't clarify this in the manual.

thanks

I believe both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio have parallel Dolby Digital and DTS tracks on a disc, so players or receivers without the capability to decode the higher audio codecs default to the regular ones.

John

John's correct, DTS Master HD has a DTS core track at the full 1.5MBPS that can be extracted. The Dolby True HD will be converted the full 640 kbps Dolby Digital. These are both still improvements over the tracks you'll find on the SD-DVD.

Derek,

A few comments regarding your post:

Quote:
I have a couple audio questions I'm hoping someone can shed some light on.

Since I will be using the 7.1 analogue connections, I plan on using cheap plain old composite cables that come with every plain old dvd player. Many of the cables have red, white & yellow, with the yellow usually carrying the video signal in the "older" days. Can the yellow cable also carry the audio signal? I'm guessing it can but just want to make sure I don't need to buy some more cables. Also, what if I use extra component video cables? can they carry the audio signal? I always thought they are special for the video signal only.

First off, why would you use "cheap" old composite cables when you have a "next generation" product? True, this is Panasonic's 1st generation BD player, but we're not talking "DVD" here! The standared composite video/analog cables (Yellow/Red/White) you mention are in my opinion "throw away" cables manufacturers include with the unit. If you want to get the full potential from you BD player, I would highly advise not using them!!!

To answer one of your questions above, you can use the yellow wire with the cables you spoke of to carry the audio signal (I highly doubt if these cables were actually engineered for specific audio or video applications, unlike "Monster Cables" or other brands out there). As for component cables for audio, I'm sure they'll work, but keep in mind they were designed for video signals. Why not just get cables designed for their specific applications?

Quote:
Also, this player lacks and will always lack DTS-HD Master audio, but has Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High resolution audio. If my only HD audio option on a blu-ray movie is DTS-HD Master audio, any idea what a player like this will downconvert that to? Any chance it will be DTS-HD high resolution, or will it simply downconvert to DTS? Doesn't clarify this in the manual.

Since you plan to update the latest firmware (v2.5), you might want to refer to the chart below. Notice Firmware updates v2.0 and v2.2. Movielover is correct, DTS-MA will extract the core DTS track.

2008/8/5
Ver 2.5 Playability and stability

2007/10/10
Ver 2.4 Playability and Stability for Blu-ray discs and DVD disc

2007/8/28
Ver 2.3 Playability and stability

2007/6/19
Ver 2.2 Playability and stability
DTS-HD Playback Enhanced

2007/5/31
Ver 2.1 Playability and stability

2007/4/18
Ver 2.0 Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio are supported. A new decoder is incorporated to support the latest high quality multi-channel surround sound formats.
Functions of EZ Sync(North America) or VIErA Link(Europe/UK, Oceania) are enhanced. You can now seamlessly operate multiple connected components with one remote control.
Playability and stability

2007/1/16
Ver 1.4
Picture Quality via HDMI
Playability and stability
Response of skipping operations
Support of the dics recorded with Panasonic AVCHD Camcorders

2006/11/1
Ver 1.2
Picture Quality of disc menus
Playability and stability


I also have a Panasonic BD player, the BD-10A. I'm also using the 5.1 analog output (connected to a THX Controller) and using Monster Component Video Cables (to a 50" Mitsubishi Diamond WS made prior to the invention of HDMI). The Panny does an outstanding job of decoding the audio (no complaints), while I do notice an improvement in video compared to standard dvd. Since my RPTV is "HD Ready," the picture quality isn't as jaw-dropping as it would be if I connected it to an actual HDTV using HDMI.

Geo

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[Post edited by luckygeo on Sep 21, 2008 - CDT 10:06 AM]