Hello,
I have been excited about the addition of the 997 to Outlaws products for some time now but reading a lot on several forums particularly this forum I have some questions about whether or not I should do the upgrade?
Right now I have the 990/7700 combo...NICE. I recently purchased the Sony BDP550 Blu-Ray. The picture is between good to great HD quality coming from my display which is the Infocus 7205 projector that is not 1080p compatible and I am using component cables. I was using optical cable for audio but intend to disconnect my analog hookup for my Sony777(SACD)and use the multi channel analog on the 550. The audio is definitely not what blu-ray is cracked up to be using optical and talking to Scott (Outlaw) the multi-channel on the 550 would make a difference.
While I am not asking for a decision on whether I should step up to the 997 does anyone have thoughts on how much of an improvement I would see and hear with the 997?
I have been impressed with Outlaw incorporating Silicon Optix for there video display however my 7205 has the Mustang” HD2+ from Texas Instruments in addition too the 7205 comes with enhanced Faroudja DCDi, the FLI2310. The FLI2310 improves the movie theater experience of front projection.
If I did purchase the 997 which of the video displays would be canceled out, Faroudja or Outlaws Silicon Optix Reon which scales all video up to 1080P?
If I deceide to keep my 990 I intend to purchase a multi channel switcher so I can use both the 550 mutli channel audio and the SACD format on the 777.

Thanks

I can't say what difference you will hear from the 997 but switching to the analog connections on the 990 will make a huge difference.

I am running the same setup and the sound via the analogs is fantastic even a bigger improvement than PQ.

Thanks mzpro5.
I will be doing some rewiring this afternoon.

I have to agree on the difference between dolby digital etc. via optical and dolby true hd via the analog. The difference was easily heard with my ears. With the dolby true hd being much better.

3rd to vouch for TrueHD via 990 analog!

I'm feeding Pioneer 95 blu-ray player into the 990..The sound depth is complete notch up from DTS/Dolby digital. just waiting on dts-hdma firmware update.
Vince

Fellow Outlaws,
I rewired my Sony 550 using the muti-channel analog. I changed the menu settings on the 550.

Comparing "I am Legend" from standard dvd and blu-ray I noticed that the gunshots and explosions are not as intense on the blu-ray disc.
What could I be doing wrong?

When I calibrated my speakers I used -10db as a reference point and listen to standard dvds on-10db to -13db. Sounds GREAT.
When I am watching blu-ray I have the volume set to +5 in order to attain the same listening volume as my standard dvds.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If anyone has the same setup I would be interested in your complete settings for the blu-ray audio and also your 990.

I'll be happy to post my settings later today after I get home.

I too have been contemplating upgrading to the 997. I have the 950/7100 and wanted to upgrade but recently bought the Panasonic DMP-55 blu ray player and connected it to the 950 via the multi channel analog inputs. The sound was a big improvement from regular DDigital/DTS. The only issue is that I have to swap out the connections when I want to listen to SACD/DVD audio on my Denon DVD player. Purchasing the 997 would eliminate this as it has HDMI but at a significant cost. Unless there is another compelling reason I am probably staying with my present set up.

rubbersoul

Here are my settings:

BDPS550 Audio settings

Audio Output Priority - MultiChannel Analog
Speaker settings - All speakers large, set at 0 for distance and level.
Audio (HDMI) - Auto
BD Audio Setting - Direct
Audio Att - Off
Dolby digital - Dolby Digital
DTS - DTS
48kHz/96kHz PCM - 48kHz/16 bit
Audio DRC - auto
Downmix - Do;by surround

990 Settings (calibration done at "0")

Speaker Size - All small sub, yes
X-Over - Fronts 60, Center and surround 80


Surround config
Night - Off
Panarama - Off
Center Width - 0
Dimension - 0
HP Mode - DH1
Sub offset - -2


Channel calibration
FL - -10
C - -9
FR - -11
SR - 0
SL - -9
Sub - -4

Delay settings determined by your room.

Hope this helps.

mzpro5
THANKS!!
I will probably be working on this later this week. I really do appreciate the effort you took to recponding.
I know that my x-over settings are totally different.

mzpro5,
Again thanks for your input. I am sorry about the last post. I was in a rush an I really should have not posted in such a moment. Hence.

I intend to kept my calibration reference point at -10db's.
I do intend to look into the Sony 550 menu and make some adjustments in relation to your setup. I do know that I am in multi-channel analog mode. The remaining settings that you listed I have to look into the 550 menu so I can compare and or adjust. From memory right now I cannot list the similarities or differences.
Speaker size is set to small. My x-overs are definitely higher than yours. I wanted some bass response in the rears.
The surround configuration is also different.
My channel calibration of course will remain the same since my room is different than yours. I calibrated with a radio shack digital SPL. Simple and quick.
Delay settings I believe are set to 0.

Once I have made the necessary changes I will post.
I have read that the codecs on blu-ray are made in such a way that owners of BD's have to rise the volume level no matter what the settings. If this is true I was unaware of that fact.
I was watching Alien in the afternoon yesterday on my Sony 777 (standard dvd)sounded awesome! I also watched 24 on Comcast last night and the playback was great.

Thanks again!

rubbersoul

Glad to help. As gonk has mentioned in previous posts regarding BD players and the 990, all speaker settings on the 550 should be as "neutral" as possible, all speakers on large and other settings at 0 in the 550 menu. Setting the speakers to small on the 550 negatively effects the sound IMO. Use the 990 settings for the work.

If you still seem to be having problems after adjustments just holler and we can work it out.

Thanks mzpro5!

Love that song by the way...We Can Work It Out.