btrain said:
I to am looking at purchasing one of those recievers also ( 3806 / 4306). When I read about the HDMI analog upconversion I wonder how usefull that really is. Do I not understand the technology? What analog signal would you be sending in the first place? Not an HD satelite reciver or a upper end DVD?
Please help me understand....
BV
The upconversion function is to deal with any analog signal coming in that's low resolution, e.g. non-HD TV signals, VHS, etc. If you look at a standard TV channel (many channels on HD cable/dig cable/sat are still standard TV resolution) on, say, a 61" DLP RPTV, it will be very pixelated because the process that fills the screen with the low-res image is rather primitive. Analog upconversion connotes a more selective processing of the signal, which theoretically will give you a much better picture when viewing low-res sources. Of course, if you never intend to view any low-res sources, it's not going to be of value to you (personally, I enjoy a number of channels that are not likely to go HD anytime soon, so to me it's worth a look).
However, in practical terms, whether it's "worth it" is very much dependent on the quality of the upconversion process . . . good stand-alone converters are typically in the $1000's US. Thus, whether the 4306 does "enough" to warrant the $$$ remains to be seen. As the 4306 won't be out until November, it's rather a moot point if you're looking to buy before then (at best). If you can wait, then check it out once the 4306 is on the market.
I'm in the exact same boat right now . . . I confirmed with Kief's that they will get at least a floor 4306 when they come out and have been invited to come out and judge for myself at that point. Yes, I'd like to buy NOW so that I could get my HT area set up when the construction is finished (mid-October), but I'm gonna bite the bullet and wait (and hope than Denon hits somewhere close to their projected release date!!).
It might be possible for you to get an idea right now, however . . . if you can track down a showroom that has a
4806 hooked up correctly. One of our local places carries the 4806 currently, but it's not set up processing video . . . If I can talk them into trying it anytime soon, I'll post the comparison.
