Disc Player - HDCD and DVD-A questions

[timetohunt]

Two very quick questions on a disc player that I am using. (I just started another thread on Players but that discussion is different and more broad). Anyway, I bought a Panasonic DVD-S52 to replace a super cheap disposable DVD player, even the new Panasonic is a stop gap until I find what I really want.

Two Questions:

1. I am playing some of the newly remasterd Grateful Dead offerings which are all HDCD encoded. The Panasonic decodes HDCD, but the manual says it does not support the Peak Extend Function. What does this mean and is it important?

2. The player has an HDMI interface. I can only use optical or coax digital for now. The manual says it will only play 2-channel when playing a DVD-A unless you use HDMI. Sure enough, DVD-As that I have with 5.1 option will only play in 2 channel. Why is this? I though that the other digital connections could handle this.

[Briz vegas]

re point one - you will find answers to this out there in internet land -try google or read the last posts here

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/archive/index.php/t-16291.html

I only have HDCD in my system so others may wish fill you in on your second question.

[bigburner]

2. The player has an HDMI interface. I can only use optical or coax digital for now. The manual says it will only play 2-channel when playing a DVD-A unless you use HDMI. Sure enough, DVD-As that I have with 5.1 option will only play in 2 channel. Why is this? I though that the other digital connections could handle this.

The 5.1 option will not play from your optical or coax digital outputs due to embedded copyright protection which has been implemented to prevent illegal copying. If you want to listen to 5.1 from your DVD player you will need to use the analogue 5.1 channel audio outputs.

[timetohunt]

The 5.1 option will not play from your optical or coax digital outputs due to embedded copyright protection which has been implemented to prevent illegal copying. If you want to listen to 5.1 from your DVD player you will need to use the analogue 5.1 channel audio outputs.

I can get 5.1 from a regular DVD but not DVD-A

[Ovation]

That's because regular DVD 5.1 has a lot less information (it is a lossy compression) than DVD-A (a lossless compression) and it can be carried by your coax or optical connections. DVD-A can only be carried by (MCH, of course) by the analogue outputs (each one has enough bandwidth to carry one channel) or by HDMI (a digital connection designed, in part, for that purpose). Some players (not yours) also have firewire and/or proprietary (DenonLink is one example) single digital cable link.

[timetohunt]

That's because regular DVD 5.1 has a lot less information (it is a lossy compression) than DVD-A (a lossless compression) and it can be carried by your coax or optical connections. DVD-A can only be carried by (MCH, of course) by the analogue outputs (each one has enough bandwidth to carry one channel) or by HDMI (a digital connection designed, in part, for that purpose). Some players (not yours) also have firewire and/or proprietary (DenonLink is one example) single digital cable link.

Am I getting a lossless compression on the 2 channels I do get while using coax and optical. The DVD-A recording has an option of 5.1 or stereo. I should be getting the benefit even though I can't use HDMI or 5.1 analog right now - Yes ?

And on the HDCD PEAK EXTEND - as far as I can tell it allows for increased dynamic range and must be built into the recording process. Based on the content and type of music its use is up to those recording the record. I still can't tell if any one CD uses it or not just by looking at the CD. And I am still not sure how often its used or its importance. I don't think I lose any sleep over it but as I get into the hobby these are the little things I like to know. I just could not find much out there - at least info I could understand.