|   if reciever has dts decoder does dvd player need it? | Graugach
May 18, 2001 3:26 AM | | hello
I am trying to put together an entry level system from the ground up. If I buy an a/v reciever with s-video and/or Component video inputs, do i need to buy a dvd player w/ dts decoder. Is the reciever capable of doing the decoding properly, or do both units need that capability?
I have been spending hours online researching this stuff and am realizing that I am going to have to spend more than I want to. If any of you have recomendations of good units it would be appreciated. I want to play dvd, cd, cd-r/rw, and watch tv. Quality sound is important to me as is keeping up with standards to come(dont want to have to buy a new one in a few months). looking to spend about 400 on reciever, 300 on dvd, and ??? on spkrs. all prices are negotible.
Thanks for any help you can give.... |
| no. You have the right idea. | Markw*
May 18, 2001 5:30 AM | | Get a receiver that can handle all your decoding needs. Then you will not need to have this done in the source devices. |
| One note:... | Josh Studrawa
May 18, 2001 6:32 AM | | Make sure the DVD player is DTS-ready. The "ready" means it can recognize the DTS signal off the DVD (but not decode it), and send it to the A/V receiver. If it is not "ready" then you are out of luck, no matter what AVR you buy.
Also, Sound and Vision magazine did a breakdown of DVD players and their features and prices. I was surprised by the number of units that DON'T play CD-R/W. So make sure you do your homework. If I can find the exact link, I'll post it. Until then, this is their main page:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com
Josh |
| One note:... | Keith from Canada
May 18, 2001 6:52 AM | | Josh is correct but might have you thinking that it's easy to get a DVD player that won't pass the DTS signal. In reality, virtually all new DVD players will pass DTS (there might still be one or two models that don't but the VAST majority will). If it has a DTS logo on the front, it will pass DTS.
My general recommendations for a DVD player include: Panasonic, Pioneer and Toshiba for the intro players (these should suit your needs just fine) and Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo and Marantz at the higher end (not many features that you won't get on an intro unit).
Good Luck and have fun!!! |
| One note:... | manny
May 18, 2001 9:39 AM | | I have a Sony single disc DVD. I find it excellent in both picture and sound quality. Also, make sure DVD player has both optical and coax out for the option. Mine is on optical. Hope this helps. |
| Found it!!! | Josh Studrawa
May 18, 2001 9:57 AM | | Here's the link for the listing of DVD players from Sound and Vision Mag.com...
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/SoundAndVision/Article01/Features/DVD4all0501/DVD4all0501p01.html
Hope that helps and not confuses. |
| make sure to get a reciever with a 5.1 input. | justin
May 18, 2001 10:28 AM | | This will keep you up to date for awhile. If for some reason they add a new 5.1 standard you can get an ext. decoder. |
| Not needed... | Josh Studrawa
May 18, 2001 10:46 AM | | 5.1 input is necessary only when having the DVD player's DAC do the work. Usually the AVR has a much better DAC than the DVD player. Thus needing only optical/coax input, with the DVD player set to PCM output.
Unless I am missing something here? |
| You are missing something... | Keith from Canada
May 18, 2001 12:01 PM | | I see what you're getting at and yes, it does make sense. However, you've forgotten one VERY important aspect in the future of audio! DVD-Audio will require a 5.1 input on the receiver and the DVD-A player will do it's own decoding. That is the wave of the future and you'll need a receiver that has that sort of upgradability. That being said, like DVD players and DTS capability, virtually all of the modern receivers on the market incorporate 5.1 inputs for future upgradability. You should check for it before you buy but you can pretty much guarantee that any receiver you purchase will come with one. |
| Clarification and recommendation | Keith from Canada
May 18, 2001 12:16 PM | | In your original post, you state that if you buy a receiver with s-vid and/or component video inputs, will you need a DVD player with a DTS decoder.
s-video and component video have to do with the picture...DTS has to do with the sound. For the DVD player, you will want one that has both an s-video out and a component video (red, green, blue) out. Both of these will offer much better picture quality than the standard RCA connection that you use on your VCR. In another post, I recommended the Panasonic, Toshiba and Pioneer units as being great players for a great price. I would stick with one of these.
DTS has to do with the receiver and the decoders that it has on-board. You will be looking for a receiver that can decode Dolby Pro Logic (for analog sources), Dolby Digital (otherwise known as DD 5.1 or AC-3) and DTS (similar to DD 5.1). I recommend going with a receiver that will offer the best amp section for the $'s and to consider other features (e.g. DSP modes -- allows the receiver to mimic concert halls, stadiums etc.,) as secondary. You'll also want the receiver to have a decent number of inputs (especially optical and coax...these are used for digital signals like your DVD player and future HDTV box). My general recommendations in your price range would include the Onkyo 575x (or 595x when it comes out) as well as the Yamaha, Denon or Marantz models that fall into that price range. All offer good amping for a good price. I personally try to avoid receivers that claim that they can produce 100 watts X 5 like the Sony DE line, JVC, Pioneer etc. They use a different method of calculating their outputs and make it seem as though they are more powerful. Call it a personal bias but it bothers me that these manufacturers claim to push more wattage than others like Onkyo, Yamaha and Denon (all of which claim to and really do produce about 70 watts X 5) when in reality, they can't come close to the power specs of the more reputable companies. Trust me when I say that a JVC with a sticker that reads 100 watts X 5 will distort and clip long before an Onkyo or Yamaha that's rated at 70 watts X 5.
Hope this helps some! |
| Personal clarification and recommendation... | Josh Studrawa
May 18, 2001 12:50 PM | | From me is a Toshiba 1700 series DVD player (has Dolby ProLogic, Dolby Digital, and DTS). Toshiba has the best picture for the price, IMO.
http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/dvd/2001/SD1700.htm
Pricescan.com shows it for $169.00 at ABT Electronics.com
And the Denon AVR1801 has all the inputs and outputs you need, and 70 true watts like Keith was mentioning. I own it and love it.
www.denon.com
Pricescan.com has it for $319.99 from Extreme Shopper. Pisses me off, I paid $450 for mine. Or bump up to the AVR2801 with 90 watts per channel for $450.
They are a good start to a decent HT setup. |
| Thanks for your input... | Graugach
May 18, 2001 2:38 PM | | I just wanted to thank you all for the clarification on that, it will save some time and $. I realized the s-vid and component vid where for video only right after I posted it(ooopps). but anyway thanks alot. |
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