Newbie Looking For 1080P Upscaling Reciever.

[Shurafa]

From the research I have done it seems as though a Receiver with 1080P Upscaling through its HDMI port is the way to go. I believe I need at least 2 HDMI inputs and 2 optical inputs.

Most of what I watch coming from my computer. I have my DVI split between my monitor and my TV (the TV input is through a DVI to HDMI conveter, I will probably get an HDMI Video card at some point) The resolution on my monitor is 1920 x 1080 to match the TV which seems to work best. I also have an optical port that I use for audio.

In addition I have an A3 HD Player.

Current Speakers. Bose Bookshelf set 301 and 201 series with compatible center. I also have a huge Velodyne sub woofer that is like 10 years old. I would not mind pickup and a speaker or two and going to 6.1 or 7.1 so long as the receiver is newbie friendly. I am also perfectly happy sticking with 5.1 as it sounds fantastic.

1. What are the best lower end receivers for my setup say $300-$500.
2. Will the upscaling make a difference when viewing 480P/720P broadcasts I download?
3. Is there anything else I should be looking at?

 

[S.R. Johnson]

From the research I have done it seems as though a Receiver with 1080P Upscaling through its HDMI port is the way to go. I believe I need at least 2 HDMI inputs and 2 optical inputs.

Most of what I watch coming from my computer. I have my DVI split between my monitor and my TV (the TV input is through a DVI to HDMI conveter, I will probably get an HDMI Video card at some point) The resolution on my monitor is 1920 x 1080 to match the TV which seems to work best. I also have an optical port that I use for audio.

In addition I have an A3 HD Player.

Current Speakers. Bose Bookshelf set 301 and 201 series with compatible center. I also have a huge Velodyne sub woofer that is like 10 years old. I would not mind pickup and a speaker or two and going to 6.1 or 7.1 so long as the receiver is newbie friendly. I am also perfectly happy sticking with 5.1 as it sounds fantastic.

1. What are the best lower end receivers for my setup say $300-$500.
2. Will the upscaling make a difference when viewing 480P/720P broadcasts I download?
3. Is there anything else I should be looking at?

1. if you want a receiver that has upscaling to 1080P, well you can not get one for that price range, you have to get over $500 to get that. But I would get the Onkyo 606 for $499 and it will upconvert to hdmi and scale up to 1080i
2. yes and no
3. if you want a receiver that upscale to 1080p the only ones that come to mind are the Onkyo 875 and 905, Denon 888 and 988 and i think the 863 does that too but again for the price range you want, you are SOL, sorry

 

[Shurafa]

Thanks for the info. Looks like you are right. I am going to have to settle for a 720P upscaller it looks like.

I am thinking of getting this one Harman Kardon HK AVR 247.

 

[Stripes]

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567571&CTID=5000300


This is the best receiver out right now for the money...IMO

 

[jcPanny]

Upscaling

The right software on your PC can do a much better job of upscaling than the chips built into a $500 receiver. Check out the ffdshow program:
http://www.htpcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=132&Itemid=29&limit=1&limitstart=4

Concentrate on the other features you need and don't worry about the upscaling feature. HDMI audio processing is only necessary for HD sources like BluRay.

 

[markw]

All TV's perform upscaling to their native format internally. In many cases, their abilities in these matters amy be superior to extrernal devices.

 

[Seth=L]

Shurafa, what is it you plan to be scaling? If it's only DVDs the HD-A3 should scale better than any receiver under a grand. Also scaling software on your PC would likely be superior to the scaling in receivers under a grand. I wouldn't concern yourself with a scaling receiver IMO.

The Harman Kardon AVR-247 scales all inputs to 720p assuming they are under 720p (anything over is passed through). The scaling can't be disabled, the only way to get around it's lack luster performance is to have the sources output a higher resolution than it can scale.

 

[majorloser]

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567571&CTID=5000300


This is the best receiver out right now for the money...IMO

The Yamaha RX-V663 will NOT upscale 480i/480p to 1080p. You will need to step up to the RX-V863 to get full 1080p upconversion.
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1760/69/yamaha-rx-v863

If you're just looking to upscale DVD's, then just buy a $169 Oppo 980 player.
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1780/75/oppo-dv-980h-1080p-up-converting-universal-dvd-player