[ian804]

Hi,

I am using XBMC on a Windows 8 build and my audio is currently connected to a Samsung DVD + Surround sound unit via an optical connection.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Qualitech-World-...ds=ht-c450

I've seen/read many threads that talk about bitstreaming and some of the benefits of doing so, this has lead me to start looking at a better audio option than the one I currently use.

There's loads of options out there when I search round, but I need to try keep the costs down and most the recommendations I've seen can cost a fair whack.

The receiver which I've managed to find is this one -http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-RX-V373-5-1-Ch-Receiver/dp/B007XTBK6E/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1381693794&sr=8-8&keywords=av+receiver

Would this allow me to use it for HDMI passthrough and bitstreaming?

[tboggie]

Yes it should work.

http://www.whathifi.com/review/rx-v373/specs
HD audio via HDMI - Yes
Dolby Digital Plus Yes
DTS-ES Yes
Dolby TrueHD - Yes
DTS Neo:6 Yes
DTS HD Yes
DTS Master Audio - Yes

[ian804]

Thanks for the quick reply.

[Harro]

A word to the wise. Once you start to go down the audio rabbit hole there is no way back.
First it is the receiver, then you think maybe some better speakers to bring out the wow factor, then you think that the bass could be better and then the cycle will start all over again but with better hardware and more money.

[MrCrispy]

Harro speaks the truth, as I know from bitter experience!

OP, Yamaha receivers are a good choice. I can also recommend you pick up last years receivers as they go on sale very often. Audio deals are always to be found.

[deksawyer]

I have a Pioneer VSX-521 and it's been great (it was meant as a cheap 3D amp and a 'step down' from the Marantz SR6003 I had before, but I like how it sounds).

This looks like a bit of a bargain: http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz...-827.shtml

I really like the Pioneers auto set up, it sounds very natural and the way it integrates the sub - it works for me.

cheers

D.

[Tent]

Hi!

I hope this thread can be reused for this specific feature.

Will any AVR continue to play music from this HTPC while "browsing" other HDMI sources

Thank you.

[noggin]

If you are browsing other HDMI sources on the TV (i.e. switching TV HDMI inputs) then yes, the audio from your HTPC fed HDMI into your AVR should continue (though you may get a momentary interruption as the HDMI connection resets without the TV in the chain in some systems).

If you mean can you browse the video of other HDMI inputs on the amp whilst staying listening to your HTPC audio output fed to an HDMI input on the amp, then I don't believe that is possible - as AMPs always switch the audio and video together in my experience.

[Tinwarble]

If your feed the HDMI into the AVR, then AVR to the TV, then no.

If you feed the HDMI directly to the TV, then feed the audio to the AVR via SPDIF (optical), then yes. But then, when switching inputs, you would have to change both your TV's inputs and AVR inputs separately.

That would also mean that you would be limited to DTS and DD video audio, since you can't pass-through DTS-HD or TrueHD over SPDIF.

[Tent]

Thanks. I guess there won't be something like per app volume control on certain OS.

That "background" feature also could be useful for UPnP sources.

[AKPTY]

If I get the yamaha receiver, can i hook up to sono playbar ?