Denon 3805 question

[Johnny Canuck]

I have a Denon 3805 but I guess this question could be for anybody with a A/V receiver.

I moved recently and hooked up my system. This time I tried going from my TV to digital box with component cables instead of going through the receiver with component cables then to the TV. My question is:
What is the advantage of using the video portion of the reciever instead of going direct to the TV? I can now watch TV with the sound off and listen to a CD. I could not before as whatever was on the receiver, was on the TV. Does the Denon clean up the signal? I would think a direct signal would be best. Sure, now I don't get onscreen display with my receiver, but you get that on the receiver itself.

So, do most people use the video on the receiver or go direct? What way is better? I also go direct HDMI from TV to cable box too.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Seth=L]

Video pass-throughs in receivers don't enhance, but rather act as a splitter that could in fact degrade the signal.

HDMI is another story. I assume your receiver has HDMI as I didn't look up the model. Typically the HDMI transfers digital video and audio in the same cable. So running the HDMI through the receiver will allow it to decode the audio then send the signal to the TV. However for it to be utilized to it's full potential you must have HDMI 1.3. HDMI ver. 1.3 is not currently available on any Home theater receivers or processors. HDMI ver. 1.3 allows 1080p pass-through and High res audio.

So for now, if possible, direct connect all components with the exeption of HDMI. You can still connect the HDMI directly to the TV and run the optical out of the TV to the receiver or the Optical or coaxial out of the source to the receiver with limited to no difference aside from cost of cabling. HDMI cables aren't cheap so I would stick with directly connecting the HDMI to the TV.

 

[MDS]

HDMI to the receiver often doesn't work well with receivers because the receiver is a repeater device, but barring HDMI there is no advantage to connecting directly to the TV and bypassing the receiver.

Connecting video through the receiver allows you to use the receiver as a switch to conveniently switch between sources (and audio follows video so the audio switches too). The receiver will not degrade the video signal in any way as most nowadays have at least 100 MHz video switching bandwidth.

 

[Seth=L]

there is no advantage to connecting directly to the TV and bypassing the receiver.

Why is there no advantage? The advantage is to save money, vs. making a pointless purchase and running the HDMI through an intermediary.

 

[MDS]

How do you save money? Because you buy one fewer cable? Sorry but there are a host of issues involved and anyone who says a direct connection is 'better' because of the shorter run of cable is way off base.

The advantages of connecting everything through the receiver far outweigh any perceived advantage of connecting directly.

 

[Seth=L]

Why? I simply don't understand the logic here. Are you saying that connecting the HDMI through the receiver will increase the performance or picture?

 

[sivadselim]

I can now watch TV with the sound off and listen to a CD. I could not before as whatever was on the receiver, was on the TV.

Many people DO prefer not running the video through the receiver, however what you say here is not true.

This is from your receiver's manual:

Not sure about the 3805, but you may also be able to do this with the remote. If not, some of the higher-up Denons' remotes allow it and the 3805 remote can be "taught" this function if you have access to the higher-end remotes.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

wow...thanks...did not know the Denon 3805 could do this!!

anyways, i think the picture quality is a tad better going direct. My receiver has no HDMI so I use hdmi for tv to dvd and component to tv from cable box. i also unplug the hdmi from the tv occasionally to use a dvi to hdmi cable to the tv.

i don't really see why to use the video portion of the 3805 in my situation. I also push "video off" to eliminate the use of all video circuitry this way.

thanks guys

 

[markw]

One distinct advantage of running the cable box directly to the TV is simply that you are not "forced" to use the MC whole system when the internal speakers are totally adequate for watching talking heads on TV. I see no great need for the whole multi-channel system to be called into play just to watch the news or reruns of sitcoms.

That, plus it's a lot more intutive for the others in the family who could care less about the hi fi or, even worse, might misuse it. Kids can be like that.

The option of playing the TV through the big system still exists when something worthy happens to appear, so it's a win/win situation in my eyes.

 

[j_garcia]

I pretty much NEVER watch TV with the stereo on, because I have no reason to. That means, I do not want CATV feed to go through the receiver. I agree that there should be no real difference with current receivers between direct or having the receiver inline, but I personally don't see the benefit at all of having the receiver in the picture. If you like to use the receiver most of the time, that would be a different story obviously. The "benefit" of having the receiver inline and using it as a switch for video and audio really just doesn't fly with me. I only have one video connection to the TV and that is for OSD.

 

[flyv65]

If I run my DishTV through the 3805 I get a better picture from the receiver component feed than from the Dishbox coax feed: I thought at first I had a bad Coax cable, but the poor quality remained after swapping cables. Of course, my set is only 480p 1080i for HiDef, and only over the component feeds (and I only have two of those).

Bryan...YMMV

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Thanks guys..

so jgarcia...how do you hook up the receiver to the TV just to get OSD? I would guess one single video rca but out of where on the receiver to where on the TV? That is all I am really missing now going direct. Thanks.

 

[Tom Andry]

composite monitor out

 

[eirepaul]

Thanks guys..

so jgarcia...how do you hook up the receiver to the TV just to get OSD? I would guess one single video rca but out of where on the receiver to where on the TV? That is all I am really missing now going direct. Thanks.

I don't run any video signal through the receiver either. The rest of the family just wants to turn on the TV and listen without the stereo (uncomplicated). I have a digital coax input from the cable box to the 3805 so I can easily turn on the system audio if I need to for TV.

With regard to OSD connection - just run a coax from the 3805 video monitor out to an available input on your TV.

 

[Johnny Canuck]

Thanks guys!! I tried this before and could not get it to work but will try again..

 

[MACCA350]

I have it both ways. The tv gets a direct feed from the cable box(composite and L/R RCA audio) and the receiver gets the Svideo, Component and Digital audio feed from the cable box. The Svideo goes from the receiver to the tv and the Component goes to the projector.

This allows me to watch cable with:
(1) Just the TV
(2) Receiver and TV
(3) Receiver and PJ

cheers