Pioneer Blu Ray Player BDP 05 FD

Correct, although currently the 05 does not decode DTS HD - it needs a firmware upgrade to do that. That update is not yet scheduled. Most people believe this will happen, although it looks like early 2009. There are some skeptics who think it might not happen until later, if at all. So, if you absolutely need DTS HD to be decoded in the player, you need to make a decision as to when Pioneer will do the firmware update. The 95 will never decode the HD audio formats. It does not have the computer power to do that. If the HD audio is decoded in the player you need an HDMI 1.1 input on your receiver or you have to use 5.1/7/1 analog inputs. The base managment on the 05 for analog outputs is not very complete (crossover is not adjustable and no distance settings). Do you have a HDMI receiver? The Panasonic 55 currently decodes both Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD MA internally and sends PCM over HDMI 1.1 and analog, although the analog output is not as good as the Pioneer. Using the analog outputs also requires that you can increase the sub signal by at least 10 db over the other channels(speakers set to large) or 15 db (speakers set to small) - in the receiver. The upcoming Pioneer 09 will have a much more complete analog section, but it is not clear if the video section will be much different than the 05. What receiver are you using? Does it have HDMI?

Note I have a 95 and have tested an 05. My receiver does decode the HD audio formats, so I stayed with the 95. As a new platform, the 05 will take some time to stabilize, but that is the nature of Blu-Ray these days.

Well, I don't have a receiver just a processor. It can decode regular DTS but that's it. I originally purchased a HD player about a year ago and then it all went south as you know. My audio dealer was cool enough to replace the HD player I had with the Pioneer 05FD. So that is where I stand. The player just came to me so to speak. I don't think there are too many dvds in DTS HD yet so I am not too concerned about it. I just don't want to have to buy a receiver if I don't have to. So I can listen to these higher quality dvds if they do the upgrade next year and I use the 5.1 audio outs to my audio ins on my processor correct? Thanks.

FYI. I own the BDP 05 FD and it does not currently decode DTS MA. I called Pioneer and they said there would be a firmware update on it that would allow it to decode MA internally. However, I was told that it still would not be able to send the DTS MA signal out of the analog outputs. Page 50 of the manual says it will do it as 5.1, but not 7.1. I did not ask when this update was expected.

I would be careful with what Pioneer customer support says regarding DTS MA not being sent to the analog outs. Experience has shown that CSRs are often not up to date on future plans. You might want to post the results of your call on avsforum, as the people there follow this situation very closely. I do not remember anyone there saying that DTS MA would not go out over the analog outputs. If that is true, there will be a lot of upset people. I believe the manual reference to 5.1 applies to the current situation with DTS not necessarily the future implementation of DTS HD MA.

Hi - Just a FYI for those who own the BDP 95FD - There is a firmware update that will bring the player to the latest 3.30 version - makes the player much faster - That is a lot less time for the movie to begin - also corrects some compatibility issues with certain Blue Rays. Some features offered on the newest Blue Rays were causing a compatibility issues - the latest update corrects that. The new player looks to be very cool but i'll be enjoying what I have for now...TONY