New surround formats

[radridd]

Hey guys, new to the forum. I was about ready to drop a dime for a new Yamaha RXV1900 or Onkyo 876 to pick up the latest formats. Then after a little research on this forum I found that these new formats can only be passed by an HDMI connection. My issue is due to me and the wife working different shifts my XBR6 plays on average 12hrs/day. I currently run My HDMI from my HD-DVR and BD player directly to the monitor and use optical audio connections to the receiver. This way I dont have to sacrifice HD video when the receiver is off. Sure do not want to run it 12hrs/day for HDMI switching.
Any Ideas! Are the new formats worth it?

Current Equipment
Sony 46"XBR6
Sony DA555ES AVR
Sony BDP-S350
HR22 HD-DVR
Adcom GFA-545II AMP (sub amp/towers)
NHT 2.5 Towers
NHT AudioCenter 1
NHT SW2P powered sub
NHT Model 1 (surrounds)
Logitech Harmony One Remote

 

[Kermee]

Hi radridd,

You might want to double-check the manuals for each receiver since I don't know off the top of my head, but what you're basically looking for, I think, is HDMI Pass-Through. Basically, when the AVR is in "Standby", whatever the last HDMI input selected was is the HDMI port used for HDMI pass-through.

So HDMI from both your HD-DVR and BD Player into your AVR, and a single HDMI to your XBR6. You would no longer need the S/PDIF cables.

A lot of the newer AVR's support this feature. I just looked at the Yamaha RX-V465 manual and it states that HDMI pass-through while the unit is in "Standby" only consumes 3W. Hopefully someone with a Yamaha RXV1900 or Onkyo 876 will chime in for more details.

Cheers,
Kermee

 

[radridd]

Thanks Kermee,

Just the info I was looking for. Gives me a direction to search. Been out of touch with the latest tech the past few years.

 

[fractile]

Hi radridd,

You might want to double-check the manuals for each receiver since I don't know off the top of my head, but what you're basically looking for, I think, is HDMI Pass-Through. Basically, when the AVR is in "Standby", whatever the last HDMI input selected was is the HDMI port used for HDMI pass-through.

So HDMI from both your HD-DVR and BD Player into your AVR, and a single HDMI to your XBR6. You would no longer need the S/PDIF cables.

A lot of the newer AVR's support this feature. I just looked at the Yamaha RX-V465 manual and it states that HDMI pass-through while the unit is in "Standby" only consumes 3W. Hopefully someone with a Yamaha RXV1900 or Onkyo 876 will chime in for more details.

Cheers,
Kermee

By sending the HDMI into the receiver you can also get TrueHD audio from the BD and other surround formats in high resolution to the sound system. S/PDIF has limited capability.

 

[radridd]

I can not seem to find any info on HDMI pass-through in the standby mode. I see AVR's with pass-through, which sends an unaltered video signal (no upconversion) to the monitor. Anyone with an 806 or V1900?

 

[bandphan]

I can not seem to find any info on HDMI pass-through in the standby mode. I see AVR's with pass-through, which sends an unaltered video signal (no upconversion) to the monitor. Anyone with an 806 or V1900?

I cant think of any avr that will pass signals in standby mode. And fwiw unaltered it might not be when passing the feed, although no processing is applied.

 

[radridd]

Thanks bandphan. Guess I will stick with my setup a little longer.

 

[Kermee]

Thanks bandphan. Guess I will stick with my setup a little longer.

Just went through the Yamaha VX-V1900 manual. The unit will not do HDMI pass-through while in "Standby" mode.

Howver, the TX-SR876 looks like it might. I was looking at this thread here:

w w w.avforums.com/forums/onkyo-owners-forum/904048-606-bypass-advice-please.html

And also around pages 118 and 119 of the SR876 manual, it talks about "Power Control" and "TV Control". So it looks like the TX-SR876 supports it.

Cheers,
Kermee

P.S. Mods, I apologize for circumventing the 5 minimum posts to get around the URL linking.

 

[radridd]

Good stuff Kermee, looks like the option I am looking for. Great research, I had given up the hunt. Seems this should be a standard setting on all receivers. Surely I am not the only one who doesnt want to run there system 100% of the time while watching TV. Maybe other manufacturers should take note.

 

[bandphan]

Pretty sure the answer is still no. Unless the unit is ON You will not get the signal. What might be described is IR pass thru in standby not audio or video.