I can't decide...H/K 247 or RX-V661

[asjamias]

I am trying to start my small home theater in our family room which is about 12 x 12. I had the builder put in a 5.1 wallplate with speaker wires running behind the walls....

What I currently have....
1. Basic satellite receiver from Directv, has s-video, currently using a/v composite..[may be upgraded also but not anytime soon]..
2. Plain jane dvd player using a/v composite also.[will be upgraded later on with hd-dvd player...]
3. Philips TV [will be upgraded this thanksgiving..with a 40" lcd]
4. Karaoke mic also on a/v composite.

I am really quite confused with the HDMI switching and or pass through concept. What I understand is that one can take several analog inputs like s-video or a/v compsite cable and output it to HDMI to the tv. Which one is that?

My goal is to have only 1 HDMI cable running to my future TV. So I would like to hook up say a new HD-dvd player via HDMI, my karaoke mic via a/v composite and a Wii via a/v composite or component, lastly my satellite receiver box via s-video or a/v composite. I want to have surround sound when I watch a dvd, use my karaoke mic and play with a Wii. For normal tv viewing, I only want my tv and satellite box on, no receiver or 5.1 availble. What receiver can do this?

I was leaning towards the rx-v661 but I would like to listen or read as to what others might say about the avr-247.

btw, I am pairing the winning receiver with klipsch quintet III 5.1 speaker with a klipsch sw-10 sub.

any inputs would be highly appreciated....

 

[MDS]

I am really quite confused with the HDMI switching and or pass through concept. What I understand is that one can take several analog inputs like s-video or a/v compsite cable and output it to HDMI to the tv. Which one is that?

I don't know about the two receivers you mention (others will) but the Onkyo TX-SR605 and above can do it. That feature however is called 'upconversion' (at least in the product manuals, the technical term is transcoding).

Switching vs pass-thru refers to whether the receiver processes an incoming HDMI signal; ie separates the audio and video portions of the signal and can send the audio to one place and the video to another (typically the connected TV).

For normal tv viewing, I only want my tv and satellite box on, no receiver or 5.1 availble. What receiver can do this?

That isn't a function of the receiver per se but to accomplish it you'd need the source device (sat, cable box, dvd player, etc) to be able to send the audio over a digital audio connection like optical or coax digital and send the video over HDMI. If the receiver is the switching type it would work if you connect the HDMI directly to the TV for video and audio separately to the receiver.

 

[rnatalli]

I don't have first-hand experience with the 247, but have heard using HDMI with it isn't all too great. H/K has been known for their amp sections and have generally been behind when it comes to features. I do have experience with the 661 and it's a great receiver. Yamaha typically loads their receivers with features. I will second adding the Onkyo to the list.

 

[jcPanny]

Yahama receivers

I have a similar Yamaha receiver and would recommend it, but I don't think the RX-V661 has the format conversion feature to output analog sources over HDMI. You would have to connect 1 HDMI cable and 1 component video cable from the receiver to the display. Also keep in mind that when the Onkyo 605 or other receivers convert composite video, svideo, or component video to HDMI it does not improve the quality of the video signal it just reduces the number of cables that are necessary.

 

[darien87]

I have a similar Yamaha receiver and would recommend it, but I don't think the RX-V661 has the format conversion feature to output analog sources over HDMI. You would have to connect 1 HDMI cable and 1 component video cable from the receiver to the display.

I don't think this is correct. I have my PS 3, PS 2, DVD player and VCR all plugged directly into my 661, with only one HDMI cable going to the back of my TV.

 

[Bluesmoke]

I don't think this is correct. I have my PS 3, PS 2, DVD player and VCR all plugged directly into my 661, with only one HDMI cable going to the back of my TV.

What? I thought the 661 couldn't do that. Could you double check?

 

[darien87]

What? I thought the 661 couldn't do that. Could you double check?

Wait, now that I think about it, my TV shows 3 inputs, (1. Cable - Cable box hooked directly to TV, 2. 661 - which has PS 2, DVD player and VCR connected to it, 3. PS 3), so maybe JCPanny is right after all. So I think I'm going component to TV for the cable box, component to TV for 661 and HDMI to TV for the PS 3.

 

[asjamias]

so I pulled the trigger on a Yamaha RX-V661 bundle with Klipsch Quintet III 5.1 system last sunday. I also bought an audio pier with it from Target which nicely accentuates our living room pieces.

so now, down to connections....

like I said from my original post. I still have the basic satellite receiver from Directv which I am planning to upgrade to HD once my 1 year lock in period is over by February of next year. About 3 or 4 weeks from now, right around black friday, an HDTV is next, about 40".

I need a little help in choosing the right cable connections though....and where to buy em....I know most people recommend monoprice or radioshack or even home depot.

so...
1. Basic satellite receiver -> a/v composite -> tv
-> s-video & a/v rca -> tv

2. Upconverting dvd player -> HDMI -> yamaha

3. Yamaha receiver -> HDMI -> tv
-> 12 gauge speaker cables from Home depot [i got lots]
-> what about subwoofer?

I have a 5.1 Parts express [300-616] wall plate installed already with 12 gauge in wall rated speaker wires with six of double banana / binding [261-352] wallplates also installed. One of the wall plates have 12 ga and RG6 together depending on which I should use for subwoofer.

Pls. tell me how to properly connect my equipment and what do I need. Everybody's help is greatly appreciated as always...

 

[jcPanny]

Cables

Check out monoprice.com for good quality inexpensive cables. For higher quality made in the USA, try blue jeans cable.

What ever you do, don't by 2 Monster HDMI cables for $90 each from Best Buy like my friend just did!

I would recommend routing all of your video sources through the receiver to take advantage of the video switching and use one component and one HDMI output from the receiver to the TV. You will also want digital audio from each source (optical or coax) to the receiver or analog for old gear like a VCR.

Video Cables in order of max resolution:
HDMI
component video
s-video
composite video.

 

[asjamias]

thanks jcpanny for the heads up....

I have about 150ft of RG6 that I can probably cut and crimp for video and audio wires interconnecting the dvd, receiver and my yamaha....would this be a better solution?

also, do you guys think buying extended warranty on the yamaha would be a good idea?