Does not matter which AVR, 5.1.4 is a better option

5.2.4 even better option than 7.1.2

Don't quite understand what you mean are same level ?

Well if you do this the effect of the sound will be gone. You won't be able to tell the different

Are you talking about Dolby Atmos up-firing speaker modules? If yes, then understand that they don't work very well.
The correct way to implement height speakers is to have them as close to the ceiling as possible if in-ceiling speakers isn't an option for you. So of course, the height speakers MUST be placed higher than your surround speakers.

The same rules apply

Wait I don't understand... putting the surround speakers to ear-level is EXACTLY what Dolby recommends everyone to do in their setups. Not saying it's the best, but that's the correct guideline. So what's the problem?

What really matters most is that the height speakers MUST always be higher than your bed layer speakers by at least 6 ft., generally speaking. Of course different rooms, different measurements.
*EDIT*

Where are you mounting your height speakers? On top of your current L/R surround but near the ceiling? It's difficult to give a recommendation if you don't list down your room dimensions.

Alright, your surrounds are too high and adding in the height speakers will have a negative effect on your overall system.

Is it impossible to place your surround speakers 5 ft. lower but remain at the same side positions? Rear placement for surround speakers can work, but you need to position them properly otherwise you may hear a gap between the front and sides during panning effects.

Is your surround monopole or dipole/bipole?

If monopole, just place it behind you, pointing directly forward. The distance between them, that you will have to measure out yourself because you didn't provide any info on your room dimensions or measurements.

are you planning for 7.1?

CMY Sungei Wang Plaza will be having a "Launch Party"  on 15th December 2016 (11 am to 4 pm) for Oppo UDP-203 4K UHD Player AND Ben-Q W11000 4K UHD Projector. Received WhatsApp invitation message from John Yew. Mmm... may have a "look see look see" if I am able to make it.

Because of other commitments, not sure yet whether to go or not. Not interested in the BenQ DLP 4K Projector. Actually launching the projector as the main show... the UDP-203 is added just as an added attraction to showcase 4K bluray.

Oppo UDP-203
Spoke to the boss, John Yew, the UDP-203 will be selling at RM 3099. He was lent a Demo unit only. No stock yet for the UDP-203 and only a limited number of units for Malaysia and many countries. He said can pre-order for the first batch that will arrive later. At the present time, no news of arrival date yet. I am only interested in the future UDP-205D which may (or may not) be released around the end of 2017. Only guessing its named as UDP-205D.

That is just depend on setting.

I will think oppo are pretty good in handling media files

Didn't plan to. Just will buy the new oppo for sure

I know that its only speculation without any actual official announcement on future launches.

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/o...yer-2182553.htm

Part of the contents mentioned...
"In addition to the UDP-203, a UDP-205 model is in development as a successor to the BDP-105/105D with upgraded audio performance. The UDP-205 should be available in early 2017."

IF, I said IF, UDP-205 launches in early 2017, then that is the reason why my earlier comment said that the "UDP-205D" may be released around the end of 2017. I only skip mentioning about UDP-205 loh. Yes, before UDP-205D, there is also the UDP-203D to wait too. Oppo MAY even choose NOT to release a Darbee version too. Anyway, all guesses. As for UDP-203, its too early for me to jump in yet.

I searched and I am not able to find out any info about the MLP 7.1 output matter.

When the Oppo Settings is set to "Bitstream", the audio from MKV should be sent "without any decoding" to the AVR, BUT the Oppo did NOT do that so it "still decodes" the audio as MLP 7.1. I assumed that is what you meant.

Ok... let me explain using Oppo 103D/105D as an example.

The Oppo 103D/105D firmware "BDP10X-83-0715" released in August 2016 "restored" the FULL ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD, read Note 8...

8.Restored the ability to bitstream Dolby TrueHD audio tracks in MKV files when HDMI Audio is set to Bitstream. If you encounter a no audio issue when playing MKV files, we recommend setting the player’s HDMI Audio setting to Auto (Default) to force the player to output LPCM.

https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-103...re-83-0715.aspx

In the previous "BDP10X-80-1031" firmware, the was some "problems" which caused the Dolby TrueHD audio to be output as PCM.

Why am I explaining all this? Possible firmware issue? Here is what I am guessing. I assume that UDP-203 hardware CAN output TrueHD/DTSMA/Atmos/DTSX as Bitstream for MKVs BUT... there will be some bugs or problems with the initial release of the firmware which have not be fixed yet. So, maybe you are right to say that the audio from any MKV/MP4 files with such audio types will be decoded as MLP 7.1 eventhough the setting is "Bitstream". However, I can expect that this "problem" will be fixed in later firmware releases... just like what happened with Oppo BDP-103D/105D.

Another thing that I wish to add here... I can expect even more stricter enforcement of what any bluray/UHD player is or is not "allowed" to play especially when those Movie companies forced compliance with the bluray licensing and implementation of AACS 2.0. With that being said, players with "issued with the bluray license" are currently NOT allowed to play bluray ISO, SACD ISO, pirated SACD physical discs, BDMV folder cannot be played like a "bluray", etc etc. Who knows? Those movie folks may even "force" additional compliance such as "disabling" MKV to output as bitstream for Atmos/DTSX/TrueHD/DTSMA so MAYBE that is why MLP 7.1 is output.

I don't think its okay for me to talk more on any unofficial Jailbreak for the firmware. I can only say that such "restrictions" will be... mmm... you know what I mean. For people who ONLY plays genuine physical UHD Bluray / Bluray / SACD discs... no need any jailbreak. But for people with MKV files, harddisks and "whatever"... MANY such people will choose to WAIT till the jailbreak is out, hehehe.

There is also one more additional "bad" feature for UHD 4K blurays that many do not know. Its already in AACS 2.0 but the Movie companies have not yet "put" this into 4K blurays released currently. Why did they not put it into current releases? Simple... they want to make 4K blurays popular first and then later "hit" us with the damn ridiculous "feature" which is quite similar to what Microsoft had been doing to Microsoft Windows (AND many other software) for so so many years. I will "try" to dig up more details on this to see if its true or not and then report it in my later comments. Its discouraging and a bummer for me especially when I am so eager to go all out for 4K blurays. Hehe... I think there are people here who DO know what I am talking about.

Got few places I usually buy from for oppo. Will see which give good price later

Sure

can we use hdmi and rca at the same time on a LED tv?

basically hdmi for video, but sound using my external speaker connecting to rca?

I have been thinking if we run two function at the same time ( watching tv n the smart thingy is running behind ) will it shorten the life span

Firstly thanks for your answer, n the secondly you r right if lama tak pergi baru tak mari. For info.i use to chase after tv since the day flat panel launch. I start buying LCD 40in then follow by LED then smart uhd n latest suhd my question of life span shorten for tv is for my general knowledge.