Do I really need Video Conversion in my Recv?

B

bens0472

Enthusiast
Hi Everyone,

I'm currently in the market for a new HT receiver and I plan to get an HDTV and either Blue Ray or HD-DVD player in the next 18 months. Is it absolutely necessary to get a receiver with video conversion capabilities or is there a way I can run the audio from the player to the receiver and the digital HD video directly from the player to the TV?

Thanks,
Ben
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Hi Everyone,

I'm currently in the market for a new HT receiver and I plan to get an HDTV and either Blue Ray or HD-DVD player in the next 18 months. Is it absolutely necessary to get a receiver with video conversion capabilities or is there a way I can run the audio from the player to the receiver and the digital HD video directly from the player to the TV?

Thanks,
Ben
I don't even use a Receiver!:D
It is actually best to hook the HD player DIRECTLY to your HDTV!
Cut out the "middle man".

Buy they also sell HDMI adapters/boxes so you can hook up multiple HDMI inputs so that you would not need to upgrade your receiver.
 
Davemcc

Davemcc

Audioholic Spartan
There is no requirement for an updated receiver with Hi-Def. The players themselves will put out the best quality video signal. When in Hi-Def, the best you can hope for is that the receiver will not impair your signal. The purpose of upconverting receivers is to transcode, deinterlace or scale video signals that are not Hi-Def to the best input format for your TV or simply as a convenient switch between sources. Blu-Ray and HD-DVD do not need video processing.

One reason you might want a new receiver is if you want to use the newest audio codecs that must be transfered via HDMI to the receiver. They cannot be sent over coax/toslink. It's a bandwidth issue.
 
B

bens0472

Enthusiast
One reason you might want a new receiver is if you want to use the newest audio codecs that must be transfered via HDMI to the receiver. They cannot be sent over coax/toslink. It's a bandwidth issue.
So, if I got a Blue-Ray or HD-DVD player, is support for those codecs to which you refer necessary or could I get by without it but still play HDDVDs or BlueRay discs through my 5.1 HT? I know I'm probably bunging the terminology here, but I hope my point is clear. Does the purchase of an HDDVD or Blue Ray player require HDMI to the Receiver to transmit 5.1 HT audio or can I still get 5.1 audio to the receiver from the player via some other cabling?

Thanks a ton for your replies!

Ben
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
HD DVD players require HDMI AVRs to get the newest codecs. You can still get 7.1 DD and PCM without HDMI.
So, if I got a Blue-Ray or HD-DVD player, is support for those codecs to which you refer necessary or could I get by without it but still play HDDVDs or BlueRay discs through my 5.1 HT? I know I'm probably bunging the terminology here, but I hope my point is clear. Does the purchase of an HDDVD or Blue Ray player require HDMI to the Receiver to transmit 5.1 HT audio or can I still get 5.1 audio to the receiver from the player via some other cabling?

Thanks a ton for your replies!

Ben
 
Warpdrv

Warpdrv

Audioholic Ninja
There are 2 kinds of receivers with video inputs.... 1 that upscale(processing to a higher resolution) as the people here are talking about, and the other just switches (usually upconverts from svideo or component to HDMI output....

With the Switching receiver, you can then run all your video into the receiver and 1 cable out to your TV by just changing inputs on the receiver... It will also pass through 1080p signal if need be, but those are not perfect either, and can introduce artifacts into the picture... not always, but sometimes.

I prefer the later (switching), it also lets you possibly eliminate a remote control.

I personally feel with all the info out there about even all the latest upscaling chips in this generation are still not the greatest, good but not great, and alot of people have had problems.

Just for example, I am using a Pioneer Elite VSX-81 and will be buying a Elite VSX-91 this years model for my next setup.. both of these just switch. I have no problems with the video passing through, and upconverting, both work great for my purposes...
 
Last edited:
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top