DVD Audio Question

Pat Gleeson · 29-09-2003, 17:11

I've been getting conflicting information on this question, so I'm going to the experts - you guys !!

I'm well aware the DVD-A discs can be played on any DVD player providing the disc has a choice of DD 5.1 and / or DTS
sound. Most - if not all - DVD-A disc have this facility.

To be able to hear the 'Advanced Resolution' audio a dedicated DVD-Audio player is required, but can a conventional
DD 5.1 amplifier using a coax or optical connection be used to output the advanced audio properly, or do I need a dedicated amplifier for DVD-Audio.

Is there any connections on a conventional DD 5.1 amplifier that can output the 'Advanced Resolution' audio properly ??

Thanks in advance.

Jarrak · 29-09-2003, 18:37

You will need an amp that has multi channel analogue inputs (RCA, Phono type), most non-budgets units should have those connections round the back.
As you are aware using optical or coaxial connections only allow you to access the DD5.1 and Stereo soundtracks on a DVD-A disc.

Pat Gleeson · 30-09-2003, 07:27

Thanks Jarrak, that's exactly what I needed to know.

I have a very good - albeit 6 year old - Marantz amplifier which should do the trick.

It does seem strange though that there is no facility on amplifiers for a digital connection for the 'Advanced Resolution' audio, as yet anyway.

Stevejd · 30-09-2003, 08:38

I seem to remember that there is a copyright / copy protection issue regarding outputting the DVD-Audio high resolution stream across the digital interface, which is why it is only available via the analogue feeds.

Matt F · 30-09-2003, 08:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Pat Gleeson It does seem strange though that there is no facility on amplifiers for a digital connection for the 'Advanced Resolution' audio, as yet anyway.
[/b]

Pat, there are a few reasons why digital connections for high resolution audio are not commonplace.

1. The DVD-A and SACD people would rather we didn't "transmit" high res audio digitally because as soon as you start to do this the possibility of copying it exists.

2. Partly because of 1. a standard method/connection for sending DVD-A/SACD digitally from player to amp/processor has not been agreed and if there's no standard then there may be compatibility issues i.e. different manufacturers might do it different ways.

3. The processing power required to, well, process DVD-A and SACD (especially when you add in things like bass management and time delays) is immense and beyond the abilities of most current AV amps/processors.

A few examples have started to appear however - Pioneer's flagship AV amp and their 757i multi player have a digital "i-link" connection but who's to say that will be the standard. Denon I believe also have something similar for their flagship amps/players.

For now, therefore, it's probably best to stick with using your amp's 5.1 analogue bypass where the DVD-A/SACD player does all the processing and the amp just controls the volume.

Matt.

Pat Gleeson · 01-10-2003, 07:15

Many thanks, Matt and Steve.

The words 'copyright' and 'compatibility' seem to crop up in every thread don't they?

Great information guys, I hope it helps others reading as well.

29-09-2003, 17:11	#1
Pat Gleeson Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Limerick. EIRE Posts: 457	DVD Audio Question I've been getting conflicting information on this question, so I'm going to the experts - you guys !! I'm well aware the DVD-A discs can be played on any DVD player providing the disc has a choice of DD 5.1 and / or DTS sound. Most - if not all - DVD-A disc have this facility. To be able to hear the 'Advanced Resolution' audio a dedicated DVD-Audio player is required, but can a conventional DD 5.1 amplifier using a coax or optical connection be used to output the advanced audio properly, or do I need a dedicated amplifier for DVD-Audio. Is there any connections on a conventional DD 5.1 amplifier that can output the 'Advanced Resolution' audio properly ?? Thanks in advance.

29-09-2003, 18:37	#2
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	You will need an amp that has multi channel analogue inputs (RCA, Phono type), most non-budgets units should have those connections round the back. As you are aware using optical or coaxial connections only allow you to access the DD5.1 and Stereo soundtracks on a DVD-A disc.

30-09-2003, 07:27	#3
Pat Gleeson Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Limerick. EIRE Posts: 457	Thanks Jarrak, that's exactly what I needed to know. I have a very good - albeit 6 year old - Marantz amplifier which should do the trick. It does seem strange though that there is no facility on amplifiers for a digital connection for the 'Advanced Resolution' audio, as yet anyway.

30-09-2003, 08:38	#4
Stevejd Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chippenham Posts: 132	I seem to remember that there is a copyright / copy protection issue regarding outputting the DVD-Audio high resolution stream across the digital interface, which is why it is only available via the analogue feeds.

30-09-2003, 08:39	#5
Matt F Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 42	Quote: Originally posted by Pat Gleeson It does seem strange though that there is no facility on amplifiers for a digital connection for the 'Advanced Resolution' audio, as yet anyway. [/b] Pat, there are a few reasons why digital connections for high resolution audio are not commonplace. 1. The DVD-A and SACD people would rather we didn't "transmit" high res audio digitally because as soon as you start to do this the possibility of copying it exists. 2. Partly because of 1. a standard method/connection for sending DVD-A/SACD digitally from player to amp/processor has not been agreed and if there's no standard then there may be compatibility issues i.e. different manufacturers might do it different ways. 3. The processing power required to, well, process DVD-A and SACD (especially when you add in things like bass management and time delays) is immense and beyond the abilities of most current AV amps/processors. A few examples have started to appear however - Pioneer's flagship AV amp and their 757i multi player have a digital "i-link" connection but who's to say that will be the standard. Denon I believe also have something similar for their flagship amps/players. For now, therefore, it's probably best to stick with using your amp's 5.1 analogue bypass where the DVD-A/SACD player does all the processing and the amp just controls the volume. Matt.

01-10-2003, 07:15	#6
Pat Gleeson Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Limerick. EIRE Posts: 457	Many thanks, Matt and Steve. The words 'copyright' and 'compatibility' seem to crop up in every thread don't they? Great information guys, I hope it helps others reading as well.

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DVD Audio Question