[Austin08]

Do not most receivers allow users to quickly switch from DD(DTS) to TrueHD (MasterHD)?  Or is this rather selected on the Bluray player?

Strangely, when I check the on-screen "display" function, if the disc has "7.1 TrueHD" that's what appears on the screen even though the receiver is only DD/DTS.  (Bluray coax output > receiver.)

Finally for the first time ever saw Star Trek Nemesis...super good effects track...music good but not Hobbit quality.  Didn't know that  Data "died" 

1.You have to select the audio from the Blu ray player.
2.If the receiver is not "HD" compatible then the BD player will down converts the audio to the next available sound format that the reciever can handle.
3. True HD and DTS HD can only be ouput via HDMI. What you heard is a lossy DTS format.

[Austin08]

One more thing if you use Multichannel output of Blu ray player into the multichannel input of your reciever then the Blu ray is the one that does the decoding. In this case, your reciever is in bypass mode.

[jarcher]

Far as I know you can't select / switch on the receiver whether it's DD or TruHD (or DTS / DTS-HD MA).  They're different formats, so you have to choose at the blu ray disc menu what you want to hear.  W/ the "pop up" menus of blu ray players you can at least switch back / forth between these formats without stopping the movie or going back to the main menu.

Not sure what you might mean by "display function" : you mean on the screen / blu ray player, or from the receiver.  If you still have that Pioneer VSX-D912 receiver, any blu ray lossless audio you run to it will be downgraded to DTS or DD as the case might be. 

Lastly, re: blu ray players w/ analog audio outputs : getting harder to find, but unless you want to pay big bucks for the Oppo, I'd suggest the Panasonic BDT500, which can be had for $200 from Amazon.  Quad burr-brown dacs, looks pretty too.  All my blu ray players have been Panasonic, and I think they are the best at their price point.

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMP-BDT500

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMP-BDT500-Integrated-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B00752R4QO/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

Still think you should look to a successor to that Pioneer receiver you like so much that can process DD TruHD / DTS-HD MA - whether from Pioneer or defect to Marantz.  That way you can get whatever $80 blu ray player, and most importantly have the newest / best automated room correction (audessy). 

[James Romeyn]

One more thing if you use Multichannel output of Blu ray player into the multichannel input of your reciever then the Blu ray is the one that does the decoding. In this case, your reciever is in bypass mode.

Thanks, I did not notice that earlier.  If I connect Oppo 7.1 analog output > receiver 7.1 pure analog input, I'll also connect the same Oppo coax digital output > receiver digital input, then switch/compare the two inputs at the receiver (DD/DTS vs. TrueHD/MasterHD).

Based on jarcher's math above, it appears a no brainer that the TrueHD format blows away DD. 

I use two receivers simultaneously for my strange front main speaker array (six speakers, two per each LCR channel).  Four power amp channels are unused on one of the receivers, one of which I can use to convert the two rear surrounds from mono to discreet.

I remember, ages ago, what a revelation DD was vs. Pro Logic II.  It sounds like TrueHD is a similar upgrade vs. DD.         

[Austin08]

Thanks, I did not notice that earlier.  If I connect Oppo 7.1 analog output > receiver 7.1 pure analog input, I'll also connect the same Oppo coax digital output > receiver digital input, then switch/compare the two inputs at the receiver (DD/DTS vs. TrueHD/MasterHD).

Based on jarcher's math above, it appears a no brainer that the TrueHD format blows away DD. 

I use two receivers simultaneously for my strange front main speaker array (six speakers, two per each LCR channel).  Four power amp channels are unused on one of the receivers, one of which I can use to convert the two rear surrounds from mono to discreet.

I remember, ages ago, what a revelation DD was vs. Pro Logic II.  It sounds like TrueHD is a similar upgrade vs. DD.       

Yes, you could do that. If you watch a lot of Blu ray concert you will notice there are a big diffrence in sound quality. Some of my favorite concert blu ray are Adele in Royal Albert Hall, Joe Bonamassa in Royal Albert Hall, Chicago Earth Wind and Fire, Sting live in Berlin, 25th rock and roll hall of frame, Eric clapton Crossroad guitar festival, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynold Live at radio city music..very enjoyable.

[James Romeyn]

Sting live in Denver a couple years ago was probably the best live show I've ever been to. 

[Austin08]

^^^ I think my cousin was there too. He seems to like the concert a lot.

[James Romeyn]

Show went on forever.  Great theater.  The violinist was one of the best instrumentalists I've seen, one solo lasted several minutes with incredible climax and release.  Big ensemble, father and son, two lead guitars, both kicked butt.  Sound quality was depressingly bad to start but got successively better, within several songs sound was top notch for live.  Several encores ending with Sting solo on a stool at the front of the stage center, black stage with single spot light, acoustic nylon string guitar, Fields of Grain, heart wrenching, stellar, like he was in your living room singing to only you.  Dude is consummate artist. 

Unbelievable ice most of the way from Utah...November IIRC.  Car did a 180 on the freeway, came to restful stop without hitting anything.  Counted at least a dozen major truck wipe outs.  Wonder if stability control would have helped. 

[DaveC113]

Good thread. Was the Sting show at Red Rocks? Sound can be good there if it isn't windy... I think the Ogden has the best system in Denver, it's worth going to a show just to hear it. 

[James Romeyn]

Good thread. Was the Sting show at Red Rocks? Sound can be good there if it isn't windy... I think the Ogden has the best system in Denver, it's worth going to a show just to hear it. 

Debra says it was the Wells Fargo Convention Center...huge, impressive, well designed...I'd drive all the way to Denver again to see Sting.  Wish I brought my mountain bike...trails everywhere.  Denver looks great if you can afford it. 

I suppose the sound guy estimates the sound as well as he can when it's empty.  Human flesh being gelatinous and absorptive, he adjusts as required after the seats are filled.  I wonder to what extent the adjustments are automated now by mics in the stadium connected to a software program, followed by hand tuning only as required.

Re. absorption coefficient of human flesh...ever notice, when your sound room is filled with listeners, how it seems like the volume control is broken, as in, "Why is SPL so low at this volume setting?"   

[Russtafarian]

I suppose the sound guy estimates the sound as well as he can when it's empty.  Human flesh being gelatinous and absorptive, he adjusts as required after the seats are filled. 

I've mixed live sound for years.  The sound goes through three major changes from sound check to performance.  1.  Listening to the instrument (or voice), putting a mic on it, and listening again through the PA to capture the same tone and character in the hall.  2. Listening to the whole ensemble and readjusting each instrument to put it in its proper place within the music's arrangement.  3. Once the performance starts, making adjustments on the fly to compensate for the people in the hall AND the adrenaline surging through the musicians.

I try my best to anticipate and be prepared for what will happen when the show starts, but mixing the first few minutes is like riding a wild horse.

Russ

[Bob in St. Louis]

...... but mixing the first few minutes is like riding a wild horse.

I've wondered about that. I've thought it would be neat to sit behind, watching over the shoulder of the sound guy at a live small(ish) venue show.
Looks like he's "making his money" during the first couple songs, and able to chill out the rest of the evening.

[James Romeyn]

If you have a family at home or during a party, set up SPL meter playing noise @ moderate level with only you in the room, mute it, move in four or more people, tell them to plug their ears, then play the noise and check the level change.

Employ people for acoustic treatment?  "Stand over there at the side wall first reflection point, will ya?"  "You, stand in the corner!"...