Sorry, I perhaps my question was not clear enough. Yes, the primary source is the Smart TV, which is connected to the P30 via toslink. The main problem is that Netflix seems to use Dolby Digital Plus, which the P30 cannot process properly. Atmos is not really relevant at this stage.
Inexpensive AV Processor with bypass
Hi, I currently have a 5.1 system centred on an old Primare P30 processor. Unfortunately t does not properly decode Dolby Digital + or Atmos. I would prefer not to have to replace the processor.
Q1: is there any device which can convert Dolby Digital + and Atmos into old-fashioned Dolby Digital?
Q2: in order to maximise audio quality my system has a separate high quality DAC which, for music, feeds through the processor in bypass mode, thus avoiding conversion of the analogue signal back to digital. Is their an inexpensive processor which has: Dolby Digital, Atmos, and a similar bypass mode? Balanced XLR connections preferred. Sound quality need not be top notch, as it´s for movies only, not my priority. Thanks!
Q1: is there any device which can convert Dolby Digital + and Atmos into old-fashioned Dolby Digital?
Q2: in order to maximise audio quality my system has a separate high quality DAC which, for music, feeds through the processor in bypass mode, thus avoiding conversion of the analogue signal back to digital. Is their an inexpensive processor which has: Dolby Digital, Atmos, and a similar bypass mode? Balanced XLR connections preferred. Sound quality need not be top notch, as it´s for movies only, not my priority. Thanks!
Showing 5 responses by garbo
Thanks for the entertaining replies; and the link to that extraordinary system. It puts my attention to detail to shame. I have tried TV in stereo (with my 2 REL subs), but I prefer surround; would especially miss the centre channel. The Marantz is too expensive for what it will give me over my old Primare P30. The bluray idea is interesting, but I don´t quite understand it. How would I find one that down-converts as you say, or will any do this? Will any player receive a digital signal from the TV? Aside from down-converting would it do anything else? Specifically, I would want to avoid it making any DA conversion, especially given that it should be a cheap player. Can you suggest a cheap player that will work? Thanks |
Thanks for your comments. It seems the problem might lie with my TV, which would be annoying as it is a brand new top range Samsung Q90. It appears that when external sources are connected by HDMI into the TV and Toslink audio out, then there is no option but to have the audio in PCM format. Other sources are enabled for Dolby Digital. I need to play with it for while. This article is useful: https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/inputs/5-1-surround-audio-passthrough |
Ok, this might make me look stupid, but here goes; it wasn´t stated in the instructions: the TV settings are source specific. I was able to change my sound setting for Netflix to DD and now I get it in surround! I am unable to do similar for external sources (my computer) connected to the TV via HDMI; sound via Toslink from the TV seems to be in stereo. However, there appears to be a work around; I tried the HDMI link just for the picture and took the accompanying audio direct from my Mac to the processor, via USB/SPDIF converter to get it to the Coax input. The sound is far superior. Maybe not definitive; still working on it. |