CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

betel

Needs some help guys:

Just installed an OPPO BDP-83 blu-ray player. It came with an AIX Records audio calibration disc. Turns out I am not able to correctly play lossless audio such as Dolby TruHD & DTS-HD on my Onkyo TX-NR906/7.1 speakers connected. When I perform a 7.1 LPCM channel identification test, the receiver only indicates 2 channels and I get output from all channels as each speaker is being tested. Also, the Sub is dead for this test. Compressed 5.1 is fine on the 906 but I bought the receiver for lossless audio.

My previous player was a PS3 Slim. I guess I've been listening to messed up audio the whole time, I always knew something wasn't right.

The 906 has main firmware 1.04 installed and all the DSP files are at the latest level.

Anyone else have a problem playing lossless audio?

ecrabb · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject:

You have the AVR version of my Integra prepro - the DHC-9.1.

Assuming the Oppo is connected to the via HDMI, then you probably have the Oppo set up to output LPCM, and haven't done the speaker setup.

So, you either need to do the speaker setup on the Oppo (if you want the Oppo to do the decoding of advanced audio), or you need to set the Oppo to output "bitstream" via HDMI (as opposed to "LPCM" as it's probably set now). Personally, I'd set the Oppo up to do bitstream... Might as well let the $2000 piece of gear do the decoding rather than the $500 piece of gear... Not that there's anything wrong with the Oppo.

Oh, and the PS 3 slim was also perfectly capable of outputting bitstream audio via HDMI, too; It just needs to be configured that way just like the Oppo does.

Almost none of these sources come out of the box set up the way most people need them... They're usually set up "lowest common denominator", which in this case is LPCM and 2.0, since that would work with most any system.

SC

betel · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 9:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your help SC. Yes, HDMI connection. The 83 can be set to output bitstream, LPCM, or auto. I set it to auto. If I set it on bitstream, I only get the lossy track. The calibration disc has a voice telling you this when you run the check. If I set it for LPCM or auto, I get what I described. I assumed the speaker setup was for when you used the analog outputs of the 83. I'm going to try this test with the PS3. I hope that this is just user error and not the Onkyo.

Do you have the 83 SC? What are you using to play BD?

ecrabb · Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 11:39 pm Post subject:

OK, you're right - the Oppo manual says the speaker config is only for the analog outs as you mentioned. Given that, I don't know what the hell is going on. Makes me wonder about the disk or the Oppo. I can't imagine there's a problem with the Onkyo, since it would be a huge problem, and that series of hardware was very popular. I have no problems with LPCM or decoded advanced audio in my Integra.

I guess I (incorrectly) assumed the audio processor in the Oppo could downmix LPCM and that was what was happening... But, obviously not - according to the manual, anyway. That seem strange to me because if you can't down-mix, then lossless discs with 5.1 or 7.1 tracks would sound horrible on a 2-channel system - any vocals and LFE would just be lost. Is that really how it would work?

I'm still using the old PS3 for my source, so my only choice is decoding in the PS3 and sending LPCM - I don't have a choice in the matter.

I'm considering a BDP-80, but haven't decided if it's worth the money to have the DTS-MA or TrueHD lights light up on the Integra and I have other questions (will the PQ really be noticeably better over the PS3?)... Basically, I have decision paralysis because I don't like any of the cheaper stuff, I'm not a big fan of the Oppo manufacturing/aesthetic, and none of the higher-end stuff with a better build/aesthetic/look/feel isn't as good! I guess I want something like the $500 Oppo, but in a Denon or Pioneer case that actually looks like a decent piece of gear (no disrespect to anybody who likes the Oppo - I know it's a great piece of gear, I just hate the look/feel.)

SC

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

When you got you Oppo did you connect it to the internet and let it get the latest Firmware? Not sure if that will fix it but it's worth a try.

Athanasios

Ron W · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 860 Location: Mississauga

betel · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 1:43 am Post subject:

PROBLEM SOLVED! YEE-HAW!

"When all else fails, read the directions."

In lossless surround mode, the 906 can support maximum 5.1 channels @ 192KHz sampling. If you connect 7.1 channels you have to limit it to 96KHz. I never realized there was a sampling rate limit. Naturely I set the player up for the highest sampling rate available which confused the receiver. Set the 83's rate to 96KHz and as is well. Whew, that was a close one. If it weren't for the audio calibration disc, I may have not even known there was a problem.

betel · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 2:14 am Post subject:

BTW: The AIX Records audio calibration disc is a worthwhile test disc IMO. The company makes audio recordings in 7.1 high def audio with minimum use of processing. On this disc there are 7 hi-def audio/video presentations. All very impressive.

betel · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 4:48 am Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 2:40 pm Post subject:

Looking back at your posts, the sample rate limit and resulting incorrect functionality was due an Onkyo limitation, not the Oppo. To quote you from the Onkyo manual: