Best Entry-Level receiver with 3 component in

[5wallace]

3 component in on a receiver seems really hard to come by. I would like to keep my price at 450 or less. Ideally the receiver would have 3 hdmi and 3 component. The only entry level receiver I have found with 3 component in is the Yamaha RX-V365 from this audioholics 2009 best entry level receiver thread.

Problem is the receiver only does video over hdmi and has only 2 hdmi connections. I know I might sound a little picky, but there are only a couple of needs that I have. Must have 3 component ins due to my setup (wii, dvr, and pre-hdmi xbox 360).

So, if you can suggest the best receiver with 3 component at 450 or less I would greatly appreciate it.

5.1 is fine. No more than 3 hdmi is necessary and I could probably live with only 2.

Thanks everyone.

Jake

 

[Zaluss]

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567571&CTID=5000300&ATRID=1020&DETYP=ATTRIBUTE

You can get it at accessories4less.com for like $350 shipped I think. Hell it even passes audio over HDMI and has a dedicated 2ch mode. I need to buy me another one.

 

[Knucklehead90]

Why not get a component video switch? It comes with a remote.

Then you can concentrate on an AVR without having to find one that has 3 component inputs. Makes life much easier.

 

[Shrivel]

I just picked up a Marantz 5003 refurb last week that has 3 component inputs. It was exactly 450.

 

[Adam]

The two things that came to mind for me have already been stated: Yamaha RX-V663 or a component video switch. Matt34 has had a 663 for sale here, but I don't know if it's still available.

 

[5wallace]

thanks guys, this has all been really helpful so far. I have started to look at the marantz sr4003 and sr5003. Can I get your opinions on these receivers?

I can get the 4003 for $100 less, but with poorer up-conversion and I am sure some other missing features. I am leaning towards the 4003 because I only have 1 hdmi device in my system, I have 3 component devices in my system, and I plan on only using a 2.1 setup for the forseeable future. I live in a small apartment and I am really only looking for a decent way to prevent me from having to swap cables on the back of my tv.

Any other input from you guys is appreciated. Does the 4003 have all the necessary codecs for running a newer (I don't know what model yet) blue ray player that I plan on receiving this christmas?

Thanks everyone.

 

[5wallace]

One more quick question on up-conversion. I want to make sure I understand it correctly.

My understanding is that I will be able to run my component video / rca audio devices and my hdmi devices to my receiver. Then I can run 1 hdmi cable and 1 set of component cables to my tv. Then in order to switch between the devices I have to set the receiver to the proper video input and also set my tv to either component or hdmi. Is this correct?

Thanks.

 

[lsiberian]

One more quick question on up-conversion. I want to make sure I understand it correctly.

My understanding is that I will be able to run my component video / rca audio devices and my hdmi devices to my receiver. Then I can run 1 hdmi cable and 1 set of component cables to my tv. Then in order to switch between the devices I have to set the receiver to the proper video input and also set my tv to either component or hdmi. Is this correct?

Thanks.

Wanting an entry level receiver and then complaining about it's upconversion is a contradiction. Most entry level receivers have adequate video processing. Unless you are a videophile I doubt you could tell the difference. Especially if you're half blind like me wearing glasses and such.

That being said I've not seen a receiver with less than 4 component video in recent years. I also must suggest a receiver over a remote switch. When you finally get your universal remote it will make life very simple for you having it switched through the receiver.

 

[Adam]

My understanding is that I will be able to run my component video / rca audio devices and my hdmi devices to my receiver. Then I can run 1 hdmi cable and 1 set of component cables to my tv. Then in order to switch between the devices I have to set the receiver to the proper video input and also set my tv to either component or hdmi. Is this correct?

Hi. If a receiver will convert analog video (e.g. component video) to digital video (e.g. HDMI), then you would only need to run an HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV (and no component video cables). That makes it handy because of fewer cables and not needing to switch video inputs on the TV. The Marantz 5003 will allow you to do that, but the Marantz 4003 will not.

The Marantz 4003 has some limited video conversion ability, but it will not convert component video to HDMI. If you are going to connect HDMI and component video from the receiver to the TV (like you mentioned), then it is just fine for that. That doesn't involve upconversion at all, though.

In general, some receivers will convert analog video to digital video (e.g. component to HDMI), and some will not. Some receivers that can't convert analog to digital can convert one type of analog video connection to another (e.g. composite video to component video), and some won't even do that.

 

[Adam]

That being said I've not seen a receiver with less than 4 component video in recent years.

I believe that you're thinking of composite video. I've seen many, many receivers (especially this year's crop) that have fewer component video inputs than that (mine is one of them).

 

[njedpx3]

thanks guys, this has all been really helpful so far. I have started to look at the marantz sr4003 and sr5003. Can I get your opinions on these receivers?

I can get the 4003 for $100 less, but with poorer up-conversion and I am sure some other missing features. I am leaning towards the 4003 because I only have 1 hdmi device in my system, I have 3 component devices in my system, and I plan on only using a 2.1 setup for the forseeable future. I live in a small apartment and I am really only looking for a decent way to prevent me from having to swap cables on the back of my tv.

Any other input from you guys is appreciated. Does the 4003 have all the necessary codecs for running a newer (I don't know what model yet) blue ray player that I plan on receiving this christmas?

Thanks everyone.

The Marantz are very good choices. However, you are correct about upconverting and codecs. However, in most cases you really don't upconvert and most BD players already have already decoded the digital signal, so both are usually moot points. I would also look at Onkyo, specifically the TX-SR507 and TX-SR607.

I would stay away from the low-end Yamaha and Pioneer receviers. For whatever reason, probably the economy, the low end receivers of both mentioned companies have really gone down in features and quality.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[5wallace]

Thanks Adam, I realize that my question was worded pretty poorly, but your answer cleared everything up. I am really leaning towards the 4003 now. This is really just an entry level receiver for me and I plan on upgrading within 2 years and not really adding to my system before then. Therefore, I think saving 100 is worth having to switch the input on my tv to HDMI when I want to watch a dvd.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks Adam, I realize that my question was worded pretty poorly, but your answer cleared everything up. I am really leaning towards the 4003 now. This is really just an entry level receiver for me and I plan on upgrading within 2 years and not really adding to my system before then. Therefore, I think saving 100 is worth having to switch the input on my tv to HDMI when I want to watch a dvd.

Thanks again for your help.

So you are depreciating this in 2 years?

I'd suggest you buy for a 5 year window instead.

 

[5wallace]

and thanks ForestMan. I like the Onkyo price points and feature sets, but the problem is, like I stated earlier, I have 3 component devices. The only entry / mid level receivers I have found with 3 component ins are made by marantz, sony, and 1 yamaha. I have not found any onkyos in my price range with 3 component ins. And, if I am buying a receiver I would rather stay away from a component switcher.

 

[Adam]

BTW, is your DVR supplied by a cable or satellite company? I'm wondering if you could get a free upgrade to a DVR with HDMI. That way, you would only need two component video inputs, and that opens it up to more options.

 

[5wallace]

BTW, is your DVR supplied by a cable or satellite company? I'm wondering if you could get a free upgrade to a DVR with HDMI. That way, you would only need two component video inputs, and that opens it up to more options.

i had thought about that. my dvr is from comcast and I had thought about calling them. It might even be worth it to me to pay a little for an upgrade.

 

[Adam]

i had thought about that. my dvr is from comcast and I had thought about calling them. It might even be worth it to me to pay a little for an upgrade.

I thought that I'd heard that companies are legally required to upgrade a customer to HDMI if requested, but I don't know if that applies to DVR units or just cable boxes.

 

[5wallace]

wow, just got off the phone with comcast and they said they will provide a free upgrade to an hdmi hd dvr box. I am going to head out and pick it up.

so, I guess this changes things.

So am looking for the price on a receiver that needs only 2 component ins. I know I said 450 was my price before, but I would love it if I could stay at 400 or under. I am willing to consider authorized refurbs.

Also, now that I will have 2 hdmi devices and 2 component devices, I guess having up-conversion to 1080p would be nice. I know this feature is offered in some receivers at this price point, but any suggestions from those with experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your help so far. And Adam, good call on telling me to contact comcast. I was ready to fight with them over the phone (as that is what usually happens with them) but they were very up front, nice, and accommodating.

 

[5wallace]

and to be clear, I am not trying to "complain" about upconversion. It would be nice to run less cables to my TV and not have to switch tv inputs, but it would not be the end of the world.

More importantly, the receiver needs to process video and audio over the HDMI. I think I have heard of some low end receivers not doing this.

 

[5wallace]

So I am thinking about going for this refurbed Onkyo and buying the WARRANTECH extended plan. Here it is: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR706BLK/Onkyo/Tx-sr706-Thx-100w-X-7ch-Theater-Receiver-Black/1.html

What do you guys think of this? I tried to do some research on WARRANTECH with little success, but I believe they are reputable. Accessories4less also seem to be a good reseller. They are an authorized Onkyo reseller, so that is good. The receiver also seems to have really good reviews, solid upscalling, and because it is refurbed it comes in just about at 400.

I am a little hesitant about the refurb, but with the extended warranty (1 year to 3 years) I think I should be all right, but your opinions will of course be considered.

What do you guys think?