AVRs and hidden capabilities

[pzaur]

Has anyone ever "unlocked" hidden capabilities in a receiver? I'm thinking along the lines of unlocking DVD players. Like finding additional format support that is undocumented, or even looking at the circuit board and adding an additional input that wasn't there to start, yet supported when installed.

videohelp.com has a whole section to post region hacks for DVD players.

There really can't be that much difference between all the "entry level" receivers in a brand line. Most of the guts and software has to be shared for cost.

-pat

 

[Seth=L]

I hear many Onkyo's have hidden features, some diagnostic tools like temp gauges, as well as Scalers that aren't advertised as being on some receivers like the TX-SR805.

 

[pzaur]

I hear many Onkyo's have hidden features, some diagnostic tools like temp gauges, as well as Scalers that aren't advertised as being on some receivers like the TX-SR805.

Is this word of mouth or through forums?

-pat

 

[jostenmeat]

Is this word of mouth or through forums?

-pat

I have a hard time distinguishing between those two things ... but I posted something I read in passing elsewhere:

Onkyo Temperature Monitor

the search for my thread also brought up this other hit:

All the Onkyo "hidden" menus

What you bring up is always an intersting topic, in the broad scheme of AV. Whether its InTheIndustry going off on rebadged/rewrapped products, or the way features vs costs are handled in blu ray players. For instance, BD players have cheaper decoder chips than receivers since they don't need surround processing, post-processing, room correction, A/D conversion, but Denon uses the receiver chips nonetheless, adding unnecessary costs. Sometimes companies might do such things as they don't make the chips themselves, and have to figure out a way to get a product out on a timeline. The awaited Outlaws have dealt with this type of thing already.

But to be honest, I find many receivers to be pretty similar anyways, whether there are hidden features or not...

 

[pzaur]

The Onkyo links were interesting to peruse. Especially, the parts about the upconversion menu. It's things like that I often wonder if they're available on the lower ends without public knowledge. Marketing at it's best! Wait...that would be...uh...the-names-which-shall-not-be-spoken (two of them).

So many of the differences between chip processors appears to be software. A little tweak here and a little tweak there gives you the same chip with reduced capability...

-pat