HDMI 1.3, Dolby TrueHD, HD DTS, BluRay

Do I need HDMI version 1.3 to hear the new Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or BluRay player? This is a question that a lot of consumers are asking. With the specifications changing almost continuously in HDMI, it is hard to keep up with what version of HDMI is needed to receive which features.

According to all the experts, HDMI version 1.3 is not needed to hear Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or BluRay players, but some of the alternative methods can get a little, or a lot, complicated, depending on which alternate method is chosen.

One alternate method to having HDMI version 1.3 enabled is that DTS has said receiving DTS-HD Master is possible if the receiver, and the player, have HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 ports. In this case, the player will put out an uncompressed multi-channel PCM audio stream to the receiver; in this method , the player does the decoding instead of the receiver. To use this method, the player needs to have a DTS-HD Master or TrueHD decoder, and the receiver has to be able to receive a multi-channel linear PCM signal.

Another alternate method is that if the player is equipped with the proper decoders and multi-channel analog outputs, then just connect them to analog inputs on the receiver, which simply amplifies the signal, and sends it on to the speakers. The problem with this method is that there are numerous cables involved, as well as quite a bit of mess.

There is no receiver on the consumer market today that will decode the 7.1-channel, super-high-bit-rate TrueHD or DTS-HD Master formats, because none are equipped with the proper decoder chips. Connecting a BluRay player or a HD-DVD player will enable some sound through the receiver because discs that offer TrueHD or DTS-HD Master tracks will also have the lower-quality "core" audio tracks that is compatible with older equipment.

HDMI version 1.3 is not needed to hear Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digita Plus, and DTS-HS Master Audio. The format can be decoded into multi-channel Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital streams of audio, by a playback device which has an audio format standard that may be transmitted over any HDMI version. Every version of HDMI can support a maximum of eight channels of PCM audio at 192 kHz, at 24 bits per sample.

To be able to hear these new audio formats without HDMI version 1.3 , consumers need to make sure that the playback device they choose has the capability to decode the new lossless Dolby and DTS audio formats into the format of PCM on the HDMI output. Consumers also need to verify that the audio device, like the AV receiver, that they choose has the capability to receive multi-channel PCM audio over the HDMI inputs. The users manual or the product specification sheet should determine whether the device is supportive of these PCM capabilities. Almost all consumer HD-DVD and BluRay players should have these capabilities, but a few may not so do the research.

Also, follow the most recent expert advice. Instead of looking for an HDMI 1.3 connection on the next receiver purchased, look for the features that are desired. Look for the DTS-HD Master support specification, or the Dolby TrueHD specification. Getting the desired features is more important than having something that may be HDMI 1.3 enabled but does not have the features that are desired.

The first receiver that has HDMI version 1.3 will be released in August, but the cost will be a prohibitively expensive $1500. The unit will be called the Newcastle R-972 and will feature DTS-HD Master and TrueHD support. The Sony Playstation 3 is a player that has HDMI 1.3, as well TrueHD and DTS-HD Master capabilities.

The final answer is that HDMI version 1.3 is not necessary to hear the New Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master HD audio content on HD-DVD or BluRay player. There are a few alternate methods that may be tried, instead of having to purchase the new HDMI version 1.3 enabled products. It may be a little simpler to have HDMI version 1.3, but it is not an absolute requirement.