Do I Have This All Set Up Right?

[ClinicaTerra]

I'm running an Onkyo TX-SR605 as the heart of my system...I have a Panasonic DMP-BD10A Blu-ray player going HDMI OUT (for audio AND video transfer) from the Panasonic to the 605's HDMI IN (1), and from there, a second HDMI cable is going from the Onkyo's HDMI OUT to my Sony KDS-50A2020 SXRD rear projection display's HDMI IN (Video 6)...that's it -- no other connections, except for, of course, the speaker cables running from the Onkyo to power my Polk bookshelves...

First of all, do I have everything right for passing all video -- 1080p high def from Blu rays and upscaled standard def DVDs -- and audio -- legacy Dolby Digital and DTS tracks and PCM'ed Dolby TrueHD/uncompressed PCM -- over one HDMI cable and then another to the screen for video?

I have everything set right -- that is, the receiver has been set to "HDMI MONITOR: YES" and all calibrations have been done, and HDMI assignments in the receiver's setup menu...I just want to be sure this is the way all video and audio get sent over HDMI through the receiver. Is there anything I need to additionally "set" in the 605 to "tell it" to send video over HDMI through it and then off to my display or does it automatically pass HDMI video straight through?

I am finding that even with my TV calibrated with a disc, Blu-rays are really not "popping" off the discs with that three dimensionality many displays/players deliver...could the fact that the video is being passed through a receiver be affecting the performance -- can something be getting degraded or clipped somewhere, or should the 605 pass video untouched over its HDMI repeaters? I have my Panasonic Blu-ray deck set to output 1080p (it is actually set to its "AUTO" HDMI resolution output, which "selects" 1080p for my set, or so my TV's onscreen display says when I hit the DISPLAY button on the remote to confirm...) and the picture mode of the player is set to "Normal" yet Blu-rays don't look all that spectactular -- don't even get me started about the DVD upconversion of this machine which is TERRIBLE at 1080p...

Is there something I'm missing here? I am sure to have many more questions as I continue delving deeper into high def for the first time, so anyone with any insight, please post your thoughts and/or opinions. Thank you in advance.

 

[chuck10553]

it sounds like everything is hooked up correctly... the hdmi going through your receiver should output it at the same resolution it came in at which obviously is the point... the only thing i can think of that would downgrade your resolution is have a super long hdmi cable... supposedly anything longer than 6 ft makes the signal get partially lost and therefore wouldnt be as clear...i however dont think it adds up by going through a reciever like that... i hope this helped a little maybe... but from what i see everything looks good

 

[ClinicaTerra]

it sounds like everything is hooked up correctly... the hdmi going through your receiver should output it at the same resolution it came in at which obviously is the point... the only thing i can think of that would downgrade your resolution is have a super long hdmi cable... supposedly anything longer than 6 ft makes the signal get partially lost and therefore wouldnt be as clear...i however dont think it adds up by going through a reciever like that... i hope this helped a little maybe... but from what i see everything looks good

Thanks so much for your reply, Chuck...I don't believe my HDMI cable is "very" long...probably about nine feet or so from the receiver to the display; just wanted to make sure the actual receiver's HDMI repeaters weren't clipping anything because I'm not used to video going through a receiver -- this is my first experience with HDMI/receiver passthrough as all my previous systems have had the video out from a player going direct to a display...

 

[itschris]

Thanks so much for your reply, Chuck...I don't believe my HDMI cable is "very" long...probably about nine feet or so from the receiver to the display; just wanted to make sure the actual receiver's HDMI repeaters weren't clipping anything because I'm not used to video going through a receiver -- this is my first experience with HDMI/receiver passthrough as all my previous systems have had the video out from a player going direct to a display...

As long as you're using a good quality HDMI cable, 9ft should not create any issues. We just setup a 35ft run at my neighbors house usiing a cable from BlueJean and there have zero issues thus far. He had his system on literally all day Sunday and reported not a single drop out.

Quality is the key with HDMI. I have an OPPO DVD player and used the stock 6ft cable and experienced all kinds of random dropouts. I replaced the cable with a quality cable and have been trouble free for over 20 hours of movie watching so far. You don't have to spend big bucks on the name brand crap from Monster and all those familiar brands. You just need quality. Blue Jean cable is easily one of the best sources around and they are stellar to work with. I don't think you'd hear a cross word from anyone about them.

Either way, it sounds as if you got things hooked up find. Typically if HDMI is working, it'll be pretty obvious.

 

[Midcow2]

You are hooked up correct

I don't think the Onkyo is downgrading; it should just be passing through.

Chuck10553 is correct it could be the cable, but probably not. Check to make sure your conncets are full-seated.

To validate , you could connect directly from the DMP-BD10A to the Sony and see if you have the same PQ. If so may you are getting all that the Panasonic is putting out.

I have found some Blu-Rays just don't pop out and look very much like standard DVDs.

 

[ClinicaTerra]

Thank you Chris...much appreciated...

As long as you're using a good quality HDMI cable, 9ft should not create any issues. We just setup a 35ft run at my neighbors house usiing a cable from BlueJean and there have zero issues thus far. He had his system on literally all day Sunday and reported not a single drop out.

You know what's strange...I have always heard that it doesn't matter at all with HDMI, the quality that is -- it's been said you don't need to go out and buy expensive HDMI cables...at any rate, I'm using a Monster HDMI connecting my Blu-ray player with the receiver and a "generic" brand sold to me by my installer that connects the TV with the receiver -- this cable is VERY thick and insulated and has gold plated connectors...could this REALLY be clipping my signal? I mean, Blu-ray intros, with all the animation clips, look awesome and jaw dropping the way they should -- just MOVIES don't look all that great...so could this really be my HDMI cable??

Quality is the key with HDMI. I have an OPPO DVD player and used the stock 6ft cable and experienced all kinds of random dropouts. I replaced the cable with a quality cable and have been trouble free for over 20 hours of movie watching so far. You don't have to spend big bucks on the name brand crap from Monster and all those familiar brands. You just need quality. Blue Jean cable is easily one of the best sources around and they are stellar to work with. I don't think you'd hear a cross word from anyone about them.

Funny...I'm getting ready to buy the top of the line Oppo player for DVD upconversion and was thinking of using the included HDMI cable...

I am not experiencing ANY dropouts. Just concerned about high definition QUALITY...if I'm not experiencing dropouts or anything like that, can it at least be assumed that my cables aren't "bad"...?

Either way, it sounds as if you got things hooked up find. Typically if HDMI is working, it'll be pretty obvious.

Thanks...so, to confirm, it IS HDMI OUT from the player to HDMI IN of the receiver then HDMI OUT of the receiver to HDMI IN of the TV...is this the correct transfer pattern?

 

[ClinicaTerra]

Thanks Midcow...

I don't think the Onkyo is downgrading; it should just be passing through.

But is there something I need to set in the receiver's menu "telling" it to pass HDMI video straight through? Does it just "do it"?

Chuck10553 is correct it could be the cable, but probably not. Check to make sure your conncets are full-seated.

This is beginning to concern me...I have a nine foot HDMI link from receiver to TV and I never assumed length would destroy my picture quality...what do you mean by "full-seated"?

To validate , you could connect directly from the DMP-BD10A to the Sony and see if you have the same PQ. If so may you are getting all that the Panasonic is putting out.

I'll try to bypass when I get a chance, but it's difficult in my current set up...

I have found some Blu-Rays just don't pop out and look very much like standard DVDs.

...now THIS is interesting because I am finding the exact same thing...yet when you go into a store and see a demo running on, say, an LCD set, the characters look so three dimensional it's unreal -- and I always end up saying "Wow...now THAT'S what high definition should look like!"

Of course, things could be a million variations...I have a rear projection HDTV and THAT may look totally different from LCDs, etc...but almost EVERY Blu-ray I own have that flat, DVD-like quality to them. Sure, they're louder and brighter than DVDs but they don't have that three-dimensional depth and "looking through a window" effect -- this is probably because I bought a rear projection set and not a Plasma or LCD...

 

[Midcow2]

Response to your questions

Thanks Midcow...

I don't think the Onkyo is downgrading; it should just be passing through.

But is there something I need to set in the receiver's menu "telling" it to pass HDMI video straight through? Does it just "do it"?

I just checked your manual online. http://63.148.251.135/redirect_service.cfm?type=own_manuals&file=TXSR605_En_web_.pdf

2 HDMI in/ 1 out. On page 23 and page 24 you can set HDMI monitor to "Yes" or "No". When set to "No" it will only pass through HDMI. When set to "Yes" it will up-convert composite, S-video and component to HMDI output. If you have HDMI in and HDMI out the setting doesn't matter. Since you DVD is HDMI in and HDMI out it shouldn't matter. Your HMDI is level 1.3a Most vendors do not follow the original specifications of HDMI, but what HDMI 1.3 or HDMI 1.3a means is that both audio and video will pass through the HDMI cable. For whatver reason most devices with a spec of HDMI 1.1 or HMDI 1.2 will only pass video; the standard was still evolving at the time.

Chuck10553 is correct it could be the cable, but probably not. Check to make sure your connects are full-seated.

This is beginning to concern me...I have a nine foot HDMI link from receiver to TV and I never assumed length would destroy my picture quality...what do you mean by "full-seated"?

HDMI cables do not have any screws or clamps to ensure they are fully inserted. Normally , they don't have to much physical interaction. However, if you move your AVR or the stand or any of the componenets you could loosen the connections. Just make sure the HDMI connectors are pushed all the way in. 9 foot HDMI cable should not destroy picture quality. While you might see a sligh t difference with a better cable it isn't going to be night and day. If you want a reasonably priced source for really good cables go to Blue Jeans Cables http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

To validate , you could connect directly from the DMP-BD10A to the Sony and see if you have the same PQ. If so may you are getting all that the Panasonic is putting out.

I'll try to bypass when I get a chance, but it's difficult in my current set up...

This probably will not how any difference; because, actually your Onkyo AVR should be passive.

I have found some Blu-Rays just don't pop out and look very much like standard DVDs.

...now THIS is interesting because I am finding the exact same thing...yet when you go into a store and see a demo running on, say, an LCD set, the characters look so three dimensional it's unreal -- and I always end up saying "Wow...now THAT'S what high definition should look like!"

Of course, things could be a million variations...I have a rear projection HDTV and THAT may look totally different from LCDs, etc...but almost EVERY Blu-ray I own have that flat, DVD-like quality to them. Sure, they're louder and brighter than DVDs but they don't have that three-dimensional depth and "looking through a window" effect -- this is probably because I bought a rear projection set and not a Plasma or LCD...

What I have found is that Blu Ray is a new emerging technology and many of the initial Blu Ray disks have basically just converted from Standard DVD to Blu Ray format and have not really added any color or sound enhancement. Obviously, these are not the Blu Ray disks they will demo in the store. As time goes on, however I think more and more will begin to pop-out and sound three dimensional Try "3:10 to Yuma", it will pop-out!

 

[ClinicaTerra]

Thanks very much for checking the online manual...I have read the actual printed manual countless times but simply couldn't figure out if it was confirmed that HDMI in means HDMI out for video...

2 HDMI in/ 1 out. On page 23 and page 24 you can set HDMI monitor to "Yes" or "No". When set to "No" it will only pass through HDMI. When set to "Yes" it will up-convert composite, S-video and component to HMDI output. If you have HDMI in and HDMI out the setting doesn't matter.

...yes, my Blu-ray player is going into HDMI 1 of the 605 and I have assigned that HDMI to the "DVD" input, so that's right...but I am running the Monitor on "YES" which I was told is only for displaying the onscreen menu over HDMI, nothing to do with passing HDMI video straight through...but according to the manual and the clip you provided, perhaps the monitor should be on NO so "it will ONLY pass HDMI"....?

Since you DVD is HDMI in and HDMI out it shouldn't matter. Your HMDI is level 1.3a Most vendors do not follow the original specifications of HDMI, but what HDMI 1.3 or HDMI 1.3a means is that both audio and video will pass through the HDMI cable. For whatver reason most devices with a spec of HDMI 1.1 or HMDI 1.2 will only pass video; the standard was still evolving at the time.

Right -- I need to be sure I'm passing audio AND video over HDMI from this Blu-ray player which it seems I am because I AM getting all codecs sent over the HDMI cable from the player to the receiver when playing a DVD or Blu ray soundtrack; but is the Panasonic '10A a 1.3a player?

HDMI cables do not have any screws or clamps to ensure they are fully inserted. Normally , they don't have to much physical interaction. However, if you move your AVR or the stand or any of the componenets you could loosen the connections. Just make sure the HDMI connectors are pushed all the way in. 9 foot HDMI cable should not destroy picture quality. While you might see a sligh t difference with a better cable it isn't going to be night and day. If you want a reasonably priced source for really good cables go to Blue Jeans Cables http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

Right -- yes I know the HDMI cables aren't "supported" well physically in their ports; mine has fallen out of the back of the TV with just a nudge of moving the TV around on the stand; they're really not sturdy. Would an HDMI cable even work at all if not pushed in ALL the way?

This probably will not how any difference; because, actually your Onkyo AVR should be passive.

You mean it should be just passing the video straight through? But it IS processing the audio coming over HDMI too, isn't it?

What I have found is that Blu Ray is a new emerging technology and many of the initial Blu Ray disks have basically just converted from Standard DVD to Blu Ray format and have not really added any color or sound enhancement. Obviously, these are not the Blu Ray disks they will demo in the store. As time goes on, however I think more and more will begin to pop-out and sound three dimensional Try "3:10 to Yuma", it will pop-out!

Well, my titles are not part of Blu-ray's initial wave of first releases that were horrible -- like Fifth Element or Hitch...my collection consists of newer transfers like I Am Legend, Independence Day, the Pirates films, Live Free or Die Hard, Spider Man 3...still, these titles don't "jump off the screen" like Sony's advertising campaigns for this format would have you believe...I have not seen 3:10 to Yuma; I will give it a rental...

Looking forward to your replies!