New AV Receiver or some kind of work around... ??

[Sonnie]

This is really disappointing... the Denon x4300H does not allow analog input with HDMI video assignment. It's a bummer! With the new OPPO UDP-205 I can't take advantage of the analog outs and still use the on-screen video to navigate thru my folders. I know that might seem kinda petty, but I like being able to navigate easily on screen from one folder of songs to the next.

So the OPPO only has one HDMI video out... the other HDMI out is audio only... and there are no other video outputs.

If I select HDMI for the video on the Denon, that HDMI audio overrides the analog audio.

Not sure I want to sell my Denon and go another route. I really hate giving up Audyssey for my subs though. I am not worried about Audyssey on the mains because I am using my DDRC88A on the fronts. A new AVR would need L/R bypass like Audyssey offers within the Denon.

This would require a unit that has powered front and rear heights also. I looked at the Anthem 720, but the amps cannot be reassigned to the height channels, so it would require the 1120... which is gasply money. However, it will do what I need with the video only on top of analog and has ARC, which is supposedly very good. However, I have not confirmed if front L/R can be bypassed. And did I mention it's rather expensive.

I confirmed today that the Yamaha 3070 will also allow video only assignments to analog inputs. However, I believe it was the 3010 or 3020 I reviewed several years back and their YPAO was terrible on the bass... actually it was pretty bad on everything. I don't know if it has improved or not... and not sure if it will bypass L/R fronts either.

Maybe I could use a splitter on the HDMI output of the OPPO and use the other input on the JVC. But I'm not crazy about having to add yet another box and split that signal.

 

[Todd Anderson]

The 205 allows you to send HDMI to a video source and HDMI to an audio source... can you just run it that way? Let the OPPO be the splitter...

 

[Sonnie]

I need both to be video. I am using the HDMI video/audio output 1 for Blu-ray/UHD, etc. The other one is audio only, but I need video to go with the analog audio... it won't do me any good.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Ah. I see what you mean.

I guess you buy a splitter... not sure if that will introduce issues with 4K. But there are probably products out there.

Kind of a pain!!

 

[Michael Boeker]

Sending HDMI audio and video defeats the purpose of spending all the extra money on the OPPO for its analog output.

Doesn't the OPPO have an app that lets you control it from your phone or tablet? If you have an HTPC, you can also use JRiver Media Center as the front end for the OPPO since JRiver is both a DLNA server and renderer.

Very few modern receivers have analog pass through. Most convert from analog to digital, apply DSP, and then convert back to analog. If you can still use distance settings, level settings, or even volume control (for all receivers with digital volume control - which is just about all), then the receiver has converted to digital. This defeats the purpose of using analog outs from the OPPO and makes the signal chain worse, not better.

The BDP-105 had bass management problems when using analog output that never were fixed. I tested the UHD-203 and the bass management problems have been fixed on it. I would assume the same holds true for the UHD-205.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You make a good point about introducing the AVR into the chain...

 

[Jack]

Interesting, Denon must have dropped this. My 4520 allows me to do this I think...I remember listening to an SACD via analog while looking at my choices on the tv via hdmi.
I also can do this from my music server computer thingie, again hdmi for video and USB to a dac for audio.
Maybe I am not properly addressing your question.

 

[Sonnie]

Hmmm... well then... I guess I just learned a little more about analog conversion in AVR's.

So much for the idea of looking for a solution with an AVR.

No HTPC, but at this point it wouldn't matter, gonna just use HDMI and run with it. I bought the 205 more for 4K than anything else, but was definitely interested in taking advantage of the DAC. Doesn't look like that's going to be a possibility.

 

[Tonto]

I just did a live chat with Denon.


Customer Care Team: Hi, my name is Customer Care Team. I received your question and I’m on it, give me a minute or so to respond.
Customer Care Team: Hello, The analog outputs, is that 5.1 or stereo?
Quenten: Thanks, I really want to use the analog outs of my OPPO 205 with movies as well as video concerts.
Quenten: Both
Customer Care Team: the x4300h doesnt have a multi-channel in
Customer Care Team: You can do stereo analog
Customer Care Team: but not 5.1 or 7.1
Quenten: Is there another model that can do this? Or is there a firmware update that may provide this functionality? It seems unusal to have the analog inputs but not have the ability to use them with such a common arrangement. I would think everybody would do this provided the ability was available. Thanks any way!
Customer Care Team: its a hardware limitation, there is not connection on the back for 5.1 or 7.1 analog in.
Quenten: One moment please.
Customer Care Team: On our Denon lineup, the only unit that has a dedicated 7.1 analog in is our flag ship model the avr-x7200wa
You can see it here highlighted as number 5.
http://manuals.denon.com/AVRx7200wa/NA/EN/DNTXSYultsfrsy.php
Quenten: It will let me use the analog outs from my 205 for audio & still allow me to get the video from the HDMI output of the OPPO?
Customer Care Team: yes
Quenten: Thank you, just to confirm, the 7200 is the only model that can do this?
Customer Care Team: For out Denon units, yes. You may also Look at our Sister Company Marantz products.
Quenten: Thanks, that's what I needed to know. Have a nice day.



If you feel like upgrading, they say it will accommodate you.

 

[Tonto]

Did I misunderstand what you are trying to do? I thought you were wanting to run analog cables from your OPPO to your Denon for audio & an HDMI for video. At the same time.

 

[Sonnie]

Read what Michael wrote in post #5 ... it doesn't matter what AVR I use, it want do any good to run analog inputs thru the AVR. My best bet to make use of the analog outputs would be to go straight from the OPPO 205 to an amp and use the OPPO as a preamp. I don't have a way to make that happen and still be able to have the various modes on the AVR too. I am just going to run HDMI all the way thru and not worry about it. I probably would not ever be able to hear the difference anyway. I just figured since I had the analog available, I would take advantage of it, but there is not really a good way to do that. It's almost as if you either use the OPPO as an analog source for two-channel or use it for home theater, but not both.

 

[Jack]

Very few modern receivers have analog pass through. Most convert from analog to digital, apply DSP, and then convert back to analog. If you can still use distance settings, level settings, or even volume control (for all receivers with digital volume control - which is just about all), then the receiver has converted to digital. This defeats the purpose of using analog outs from the OPPO and makes the signal chain worse, not better.

In my case the Denon does have the 7.1 channel input that does not convert the analog signal to digital. In addition if one uses the outputs of the Oppo into any of the 2 channel rca jacks such as CD or something similar, one can just use Direct mode on the AVR and once again it passes on to analog and no substantive digital processing. This is also true of my Integra pre/pro as well.

 

[Sonnie]

That is what I was thinking, using Pure Direct, but distance and volume are still being used with the AVR in this case. And I would not get use of my subwoofers either.

 

[Jack]

One can use the sub/mains to correct for bottom end. I think and i will check but the distance does remain with Direct but let me check.
I know once Audyssey has been set the distance feature remains. Never the less, in my case direct setting from the analog outs of my Oppo or Jriver sound very good and different than the HDMI audio in, although I can not say better for everyone.

 

[Sonnie]

Pure Direct also shuts down the video and I am unable to navigate my music folders.

I also run my front mains thru the miniDSP DDRC88A with Dirac Live which I assume uses digital processing. I couldn't listen to any music without my front mains being frequency matched... that is the most important part of making sure your imaging and sound stage are correct. I know a lot of folks make a big fuss about no processing, but if anyone thinks what they are listening to on a CD hasn't already been processed to death to get it to sound like it does, obviously doesn't know what is going on in a recording studio. I see absolutely nothing wrong with additional processing, as long as it's done right.

We did some AB listening a while back and swapping back and forth between the OPPO BDP-105 DAC and the DAC in my (at that time) Onkyo 5510 processor, we could not identify any differences.

I doubt very seriously I would hear a difference, but wanted to set it up that way.

Sure... I can hear a huge difference in the analog and digital when the digital has all the processing going on... the digital sounds a lot better, because it has everything setup properly. Imaging, sound stage and depth acuity are all improved. Several of us have witnessed this on several occasions. I think many of us have agreed that Dirac does a better job frequency matching the mains than does Audyssey, which is why I prefer using it.

 

[Jack]

Understood !!