Connecting Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Blu-ray to AV Receiver

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By: Glen

Thinking of buying a Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Blu Ray player with 2 HDMI ports – as I have an Onkyo TX-SR601/601E receiver with no HDMI ports and a Toshiba XV500A LCD TV.

I believe this Blu-ray player is ideal for older non-HDMI receivers. Please explain why.

Also, please let me know the best way and which cables I will need to set up my home cinema to get HD picture and sound out of my 5.1 setup.

I’m also getting Foxtel IQ2.

Please keep it as simple as possible as I have a limited knowledge of these things.

Thank You
Glen


Comments for Connecting Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Blu-ray to AV Receiver:

Hi

I imagine you have been told that the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 Blu Ray player is ideal for non-HDMI AV receivers because it has multichannel analog outputs (see link below).

You can connect your Blu-ray player to the AV receiver using 6 RCA cables, and you will still get HD audio as the Blu-ray player will decode the audio.

However, the main point of getting the DMP-BDT300 is that it will play 3D movies (as well as standard 2D movies).

Now, as far as I can see your Toshiba XV500A LCD TV is not a 3D TV. Therefore, there is no point in paying more for a 3D Blu-ray player (unless you are going to upgrade soon).

Therefore, you could buy the cheaper Panasonic DMP-BD85 Blu-ray player. This also has multichannel analog outputs for connecting to your AV receiver.

Or, you could buy almost any other Blu-ray player and connect to your AV receiver using an optical connection (see link below). This would get you 5.1 surround sound – just not the high-definition audio version.

Assuming you go for the DMP-85. You would connect the 5.1 analog outputs of the Blu-ray into the AV receiver (for the sound) – and then connect HDMI from the Blu-ray into your TV (for the picture).

Something like this:

Connecting a 5.1 home theater system with an AV receiver
Connecting a 5.1 home theater system with an AV receiver

I don’t know the Foxtel IQ2 – but I would imagine you would connect in a similar way. HDMI direct to your TV and (probably) digital optical into the AV receiver.

Hope that helps.

Paul (Site Editor)

You Might Also Be Interested In:

RCA Surround Sound Connections – Analog 5.1 Audio Explained

Optical Digital Audio – Cable and Connection Explained

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HDMI audio
by: mat hussain

Hi, can you also explain if direct HDMI audio can give out original audio?

My setup would be ONKYO 606, Panasonic BDT300 and LG 50PX990.

So 1st HDMI out from panny to LG 50px990 for 3d display, and 2nd HDMI from panny to Onkyo 606 HDMI input for original audio.

Would this work in your opinion or am I expecting too much!!?

Thanks Mat

Blu-ray Connections
by: Paul (Site Editor)

Hi

No, you’ve got the right idea.

The beauty of this Panasonic Blu-ray is that it has two HDMI outputs. Therefore, you can use one direct to your TV for 3D pictures – and the other to your receiver for HD audio.

This means you don’t have to upgrade your AV receiver which doesn’t pass through the 3D signal.

Have fun!

Paul

Audio
by: Anonymous

Hi,

Does this Panasonic decode the lossless formats and output via the Analogue section for 3D Blu-ray playback?

Cheers,

Nick.

HD Audio
by: Paul (Site Editor)

Hi

Yes, it does. You can get the player to decode HD audio and send PCM to your receiver – either over the second HDMI output or the multichannel analog audio outputs.

All the best.

Paul


by: Anonymous

Hi,

That’s great news!

Thanks for taking the time to let me know Paul,

Nick.

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About The Author

Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. He has been a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. You can find out more here.

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