Determining the right HDMI in a new receiver

[gms8994]

The wife has granted me purchase of a new receiver. So I went looking today. I'm looking to spend no more than $900 for this receiver. But I want to make sure that the HDMI connection will work the way I expect it.

My current receiver is an HK AVR-146. I like this receiver. However, to have it send audio to my speakers (I have a full setup of Polk right now), I have to run an optical cable alongside my HDMI cable, which kinda defeats the purpose of using HDMI in the first place.

So my questions:

1. What is this type of HDMI connection called?
2. What type of HDMI connection am I looking for that will send audio to both the speakers *and* the TV?
3. What receiver would you suggest considering my budget?

 

[Adam]

Hi. To help me understand - do you want the receiver to process audio from an HDMI input while still sending audio from that HDMI input to your television through an HDMI output?

 

[gms8994]

Hi. To help me understand - do you want the receiver to process audio from an HDMI input while still sending audio from that HDMI input to your television through an HDMI output?

If that's possible, yes. Id like the audio to be sent out to both the speakers an the tv from the receiver. If it's not possible, then I'm ok without that.

 

[Adam]

Hopefully someone here knows of a receiver that can do that, but I don't. The receivers that I've looked will either process the HDMI audio or pass it through, but not at the same time.

Is that the main reason that you're wanting a new receiver?

 

[gms8994]

Hopefully someone here knows of a receiver that can do that, but I don't. The receivers that I've looked will either process the HDMI audio or pass it through, but not at the same time.

Is that the main reason that you're wanting a new receiver?

That's part of it. Having 2 cables per device is terribly expensive, cluttery, and downright ugly. I don't have to have the pass through capabilities, if that's not something that's normally done.

The other reasons for upgrading is to get more HDMI ports, and better power per channel. My HK is nice, but only 2 HDMI ports and 30w per channel is a bit weak.

 

[lsiberian]

I don't understand why you want to send Audio to the TV. Unless you are trying to keep the bass down at night or something.

The best way to achieve this would be to feed the hdmi into your tv first then to your receiver, but it's adding unneeded complexity IMO.

As far as receivers go head for accessories4less.com and look for deals. You seriously wont find better deals. As many issues as I have with my HK it still has never broken on me.

 

[gms8994]

I don't understand why you want to send Audio to the TV. Unless you are trying to keep the bass down at night or something.

Mostly because that's what I'm used to. Like I said earlier, I don't have to have it.

As far as receivers go head for accessories4less.com and look for deals. You seriously wont find better deals. As many issues as I have with my HK it still has never broken on me.

Any one in particular?

 

[BMXTRIX]

You can get cables for a great price at HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! - If you are paying more than $10 for a HDMI cable, then it truly is your own fault that it ends up being expensive!

For your USE of the receiver: Some receivers DO allow HDMI passthrough when they are powered off. They generally only allow the last source used to pass through, so this is usually the cable box. I will have to double check, but I think some Denon receivers may do this right now.

It is worth asking at a store, but you really have to define your exact usage of that feature.

Otherwise, any HDMI 1.4 equipped receiver will handle whatever audio you throw at it pretty well these days.

For Denon, on their AVR-2312CI, it looks like it is called HDMI Audio/Video repeater function...

But I really don't know what that means!

"HDMI Audio/Video Repeater Function"

DENON US)

From page 68 of their manual:
"When “HDMI Control” – “Control” (vpage 106) in the menu
is set to “ON”, signals input to the HDMI input connector are
output to the television or other device connected to the HDMI
output connector, even if the power of this unit is in standby
(pass-through function)."

http://usa.denon.com/DocumentMaster/US/AVR-2312CIE3_ENG_CD-ROM_v00.pdf

Should pass A/V in standby mode, and then use the speakers when it is actually on. No guarantees on me for that though!

 

[gms8994]

HDMI Audio/Video Repeater Function

So this is what I need to look for in a receiver. However, reading a spec sheet, such as this one, how can I determine that it has that capability? So many of the "cheaper" receivers don't, at least the ones I've looked at.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Most do not!

Repeating a HDMI signal while a receiver is 'off' is not a very typical function of a receiver and is not something I have ever looked for in a product. Since HDMI carries voltage, the receiver must actually be 'on' enough to see the signal coming in and be able to repeat that signal to an output while still drawing almost zero power.

Also, since your TV can't handle most HD audio formats, there must be information which flows back to let the device know that it can't send full HD resolution audio down the line.

I am NOT well versed in this, but this isn't the first time I've seen this request. I just don't have a solid solution.

You may want to ask in the 'audio components' section of the forums for this less than beginner question.

 

[gms8994]

Most do not!

Sorry, I was talking about determining whether a receiver had repeating capabilities, not pass through while off

 

[lsiberian]

So this is what I need to look for in a receiver. However, reading a spec sheet, such as this one, how can I determine that it has that capability? So many of the "cheaper" receivers don't, at least the ones I've looked at.

DENON AVR-1612 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Onkyo TX-SR508 7.1-Channel 3-D Ready Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

If you want cheap they are good brands with deals you simply can't get a the store. Honestly I recommend getting a much better receiver.

Onkyo TX-NR708 7.2-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

use monoprice for connectors. They ship fast and they are cheap.

 

[gms8994]

Onkyo TX-NR708 7.2-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

That one looks pretty good. Any other suggestions?