Audio hookups

Dtc, the reason I asked for model numbers of his equipment is that I know some Sony Blu-ray players, and maybe all, only output LPCM 2ch or bitstream from the digital audio output. If he has a multichannel speaker system, I believe it will be better to use the bitstream. Look here at "Audio Features Coaxial, Optical" under Product Specifications.

http://store.sony.com/blu-ray-disc-player-zid27-BDPS1100/cat-27-catid-All-Blu-ray-DVD-Players?_t=pfm%3Dcategory

If he connects the Blu-ray player and cable box to the TV with HDMI, and they are set for bitstream, he will get a bitstream signal from the digital audio output on the TV, and this can be connected to a digital input on the RX-V1400. Also, changing inputs on the TV will change sound from the RX-V1400 at the same time, rather than having to make an additional change on the RX-V1400 to select the appropriate sound for the picture.

It would be helpful to list the model numbers of the BRP and HDTV.

Initial thought is that with HDMI directly to the TV from the BRP, TV speakers should work unless TV speakers are turned off in the TV's menu. The TV should have a digital audio out, so this could be connected to a digital input on the RX-V1400.

Rbaker, I have some ideas but need more info.

Is the player a Sony BDP-S5200?

Receiver has no digital inputs, coaxial or optical?

TV - brand, model, age, or anything you can provide?

Initial thought for a very cheap solution, assuming receiver has no digital inputs, HDMI from player to the TV, player menu set to PCM as you said, then use player's digital output to this DAC,

http://www.parts-express.com/fiio-d03k-coaxial-optical-dac-digital-analog-converter--230-120

then the DAC's L&R analog out to the receiver. Obviously, a better DAC would improve the sound, however this one is probably as good as the one in the older DVD player, if it was a lesser priced model.

Dtc, in your first post, you said to use the optical or coaxial digital audio out. The link I provided for the Sony verified that this is only a 2ch PCM signal or bitstream.

Question - the Sony spec for coax/Toslink is 2 channel for 96/24. Are you sure it does not do multichannel for 48/24, which is what Dolby Digital uses? I will say I do not use this type of very entry level BR.

Here is another link for the Oppo BDP-105, check the specification for "Output - Coaxial/Optical Audio - up to 2ch/192kHz PCM"

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/blu-ray-BDP-105-Features.aspx

For HDMI output, it does list 7.1ch PCM. I believe multichannel PCM is only possible through HDMI, not an optical or coaxial digital out.

Can you provide any documentation that shows any player that will do a multichannel PCM out through an optical or coaxial digital output?

As far as the 48/24, Dolby Digital, that's a bitstream signal.

Also, any 2ch PCM signal from an optical or coaxial digital output will be down mixed.

Pentangle, let me clear up one last bit of misinformation.

If he bit streams to the TV then he needs a TV that can decode the bit stream and send it to a digital out.

Not exactly true.

Retired now, but worked in the A/V industry for over 20 years, and Sony was a brand I dealt with. The first year or two when HDMI was added to TV's would be a problem, however if your set is less than 8 years old, then the Dolby Digital bitstream signal is just a pass through from the HDMI input to the digital audio output. So again, this is my recommendation,

If he connects the Blu-ray player and cable box to the TV with HDMI, and they are set for bitstream, he will get a bitstream signal from the digital audio output on the TV, and this can be connected to a digital input on the RX-V1400. Also, changing inputs on the TV will change sound from the RX-V1400 at the same time, rather than having to make an additional change on the RX-V1400 to select the appropriate sound for the picture.