Video Up-Conversion thru a Receiver

[techster82]

Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but I have been out of the home theater game for a couple of years.

I am in the market for a new receiver and am looking to run just a single cable to my wall mounted LCD. Is there a receiver which will upconvert all sources to HDMI? I would rather not have to fool with running component cables.

 

[Seth=L]

What is your budget? Onkyo is on the verge of releasing two receivers with some of the best up-converting abilities there is. TX-SR875 and 905 are both above the $1000 mark. I am sure their are other satisfactory possibilities for less, but to really know we need to know the budget.

 

[no. 5]

There is a good number that will do what you want; the Onkyo TX-SR674, the Yamaha HTR-6090/RX-V1700 (the HTR-5990/RX-V1600 being last years model, both do it too), and the Denon AVR-2307 for starters.

 

[techster82]

Sorry, I should have mentioned price in the first post. I am looking to not spend over $500. I would also like a zone 2 on the receiver. I have been reading up on the new 605 from Onkyo but looks like it only upconverts s-video and composite to HDMI. I am also open to getting a "last years" model. At this point, price is the most important aspect as I just got the TV and also need a new sub and center channel.

 

[Seth=L]

Looks like the 674 may be your best option at this point.

 

[no. 5]

The TX-SR674 or AVR-2307 would seem to be the best bets, both are available for under $500, both trascoed all inputs to HDMI, and the TX-SR674 will do two zones, I’m not sure about the Denon on that one.

The Yamahas would be out of your price range (by $100). And I’m not sure if Pioneer, H/K or Marantz have any receivers that will trascoed to HDMI for under $500.

 

[jcPanny]

Yahama RX-V1600

I have seen refurbished Yamaha RX-V1600 show up on ubid a few times for <$500. This model retailed for $1k until the new version came out.

 

[lcdguy]

not sure if this helps or not. But i believe the reciever i got maybe be able to do this. It's the yamaha HTR6060 in canada it's around 699 regular so it maybe cheaper if your in the states. But i could be wrong on the upconversion thing.

 

[darien87]

I might be wrong, but I believe the Yamaha 661 can do this, (I know it has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output). If so, you can find those on eBay for under $400!!!

I paid $370 for mine.

 

[no. 5]

I just looked at the manual on Yamaha’s website; the 6060/661 will not transcoed up to HDMI, it only transcoeds up to component.

 

[techster82]

Okay guys, UBid has an Onkyo 674 refurb for $399. Should I go for it or what?

 

[no. 5]

Okay guys, UBid has an Onkyo 674 refurb for $399. Should I go for it or what?

That’s a very good price, I did some very brief looking around after reading your post, and the best price I came up with was $35 more.

 

[techster82]

Where did you find the next best price?

 

[no. 5]

Here

Where did you find the next best price?

(and it looks like it was $40 dollars more - not $35.... I must remember to read prices closer. )

 

[darien87]

Okay guys, UBid has an Onkyo 674 refurb for $399. Should I go for it or what?

The 674 is a great receiver. However it will only do 5.1 surround from HDMI. If you're looking to do 6.1 or 7.1, now or in the future, unfortunately the 674 won't be able to do it. If you don't care about that, then pull that trigger!!

 

[techster82]

I am looking at the 674 for $399, then they also have a RX-V1600 for $429. What are the big differences between the two? Most important to me is upconversion of everything to HDMI, and being able to do a powered zone 2 for outdoor patio speakers. Now and for awhile into the future I see myself as just a 5.1 man. There is also an HTR-5090 on there for $439. How do the three compare?

 

[tsteves]

While the dilemma of avoiding running multiple cables to your display is understandable it may be a trade off to have a sub $500 receiver doing the conversion rather than the TV. If the TV is decent at up conversion it will very likely do a better job than an inexpensive receiver. If you watch a lot of standard def, it may look yucky.

 

[no. 5]

I am looking at the 674 for $399, then they also have a RX-V1600 for $429. What are the big differences between the two? Most important to me is upconversion of everything to HDMI, and being able to do a powered zone 2 for outdoor patio speakers. Now and for awhile into the future I see myself as just a 5.1 man. There is also an HTR-5090 on there for $439. How do the three compare?

the biggest differences between the two that I can think of right now is that the 1600 has pre-outs, and more power then the 674. the 674 and the 1600 will both do two zones and transcoed all inputs to HDMI.

While the dilemma of avoiding running multiple cables to your display is understandable it may be a trade off to have a sub $500 receiver doing the conversion rather than the TV. If the TV is decent at up conversion it will very likely do a better job than an inexpensive receiver. If you watch a lot of standard def, it may look yucky.

A very good point, but I think that techster82 is looking for a receiver that will transcoed, rather then one that will up-scale.

 

[techster82]

I went ahead and bit on the Onkyo 674 from Ubid (got an extra $10 off thru Google Checkout) since it came with a 1 year warranty and had all that I needed. The Yamaha 1600 was a bit more but only came with 30 or 90 days warranty. Hopefully I will be pleased with the receiver.

I also picked up a Definitive Pro Center 100 center channel at Best Buy on closeout for $80.

Anyone have a recommendation for a inexpensive upconverting DVD player with HDMI?

 

[no. 5]

I went ahead and bit on the Onkyo 674 from Ubid (got an extra $10 off thru Google Checkout) since it came with a 1 year warranty and had all that I needed. The Yamaha 1600 was a bit more but only came with 30 or 90 days warranty. Hopefully I will be pleased with the receiver.

I also picked up a Definitive Pro Center 100 center channel at Best Buy on closeout for $80.

Anyone have a recommendation for a inexpensive upconverting DVD player with HDMI?

Good choice on the receiver, I’m sure you’ll be happy with it.

As for a DVD player, most people around here will recommend an Oppo (and not without reason), but as for an “upconverting “ DVD player; my advice is don’t let that feature be the deal breaker, all it’s doing is scaling, and your TV is doing that anyway.
It is still possible, however, that depending on the TV, the DVD player could be better then the TV at scaling.