I currently have a Arcam 139 connected to my AV2 but wish to add a HD DVD player.

What would be the best connection for 5:1 sound.

Thanks
Neil

Neil,

You've got 2 options:

* Optical digital. This will give you high bitrate Dolby Digital or DTS.

* 5.1 analog cable from HD-DVD (this is only on for example the Toshiba EP35 model). This will give you decoding of DD+ and DTS HD etc. Big difference. If you do go down this route, be aware that you need to boost the Sub level on your AV2 by between 10-15db.

Roy.

Neil,

HD-DVD is dead, it just doesn't know it yet. The players are being sold so cheaply with extra discs in a desparate bid to recoup some costs and grab market share.

BluRay has pretty much won this war.

Thanks for the replies.

I think I am already using 5:1 analogue from the 139 for DVD Audio and SACD. I guess this is therefore not an option.

I am not sure either party will win the war but you are right they are cheap, which is what is tempting me.There's enough films already out there to keep me good for a couple of years and it still plays standard DVDs for £100-200 new, even cheaper second hand.
Still seems a bargain even if doomed.

Neil

I wouldn't worry too much Neil.

Although the uncompressed multichannel analogues from HD/Blu-ray sound absolutely spiffing, the digital outputs also have a significantly higher sampling rate than with standard DVDs and sound pretty damn good too - significantly better in fact!