Please help me choose a receiver

[fannatic]

Ok, I'm pretty new to this home theater stuff...but I think I know what I want, only problem is I can't find the receiver to do it.

I want to hook my computer and HD satellite box to the receiver...the only problem is that neither have HDMI, they both use DVI.

The main problem I'm having is the sound issues. I can use a DVI-to-HDMI cable to show the pictures on my screen using the TV inputs, however there is only one digital sound input, so I only get sound from one. My only thought to get around the limited connectivity of my TV was to buy a receiver (which I was going to do anyway). I'll also be needing HDMI analog upconversion as I want everything hooked to the receiver with 1 HDMI cable going to my TV.

Ideally I would like to find a good receiver that has at least 2 DVI input ports? (I can't seem to find any anywhere) Or can someone give some insight as to how to else I could hook 2 DVI enabled devices to a receiver without DVI.

Thanks

 

[Leprkon]

You won't find a receiver that works with DVI as such. DVI, by nature, is video, and doesn't carry an audio signal. Your best bet is to get a receiver that has HDMI inputs and use the cable you mentioned to convert. Most newer receivers have four or five Toslink (fiber optic) inputs along with a SPDIF (digital co-ax), so you should be able to spread your boxes over that.

 

[fannatic]

Thanks for the reply. I understand DVI is just video, which is why I'm having these problems in the first place. I could easily hook the computer and satelite box to the two HDMI inputs on my tv, but I can only get sound for one through the digital input port.

I'm looking to buy the receiver first, then pick up 2 front speakers when I can afford them and eventually get more speakers to fill out the room. Between when I buy the receiver and get the speakers I want to still use my tv for sound...but I also only want to have one cable between the receiver and the TV (i.e. 1 HDMI cable).

So I guess in a nutshell, I want to know if it's possible to hook the audio through the optical-in ports, video through HDMI-in, and output both through the HDMI-out to my TV?

Thanks

Edit: Once I have purchased the two front speakers I really could care less if the audio went to the TV.

 

[Leprkon]

Between when I buy the receiver and get the speakers I want to still use my tv for sound...

So I guess in a nutshell, I want to know if it's possible to hook the audio through the optical-in ports, video through HDMI-in, and output both through the HDMI-out to my TV?

Thanks

I see your problem now. We need help from someone who uses HDMI through the receiver. I only use the HDMI straight to the TV and output only sound to the receiver, but maybe SethL or jinjuko could help us here.

 

[avaserfi]

I recall running into this problem while I was waiting to get my speakers in. As far as I found, atleast with my receiver it was not possible. One option that you could do is temporarily run an hdmi cable and an optical cable to your tv and set the AVR to output video via hdmi and audio via the optical cable. Once you get your speakers you can always get rid of that optical cable.

 

[Seth=L]

Ok, I'm pretty new to this home theater stuff...but I think I know what I want, only problem is I can't find the receiver to do it.

I want to hook my computer and HD satellite box to the receiver...the only problem is that neither have HDMI, they both use DVI.

The main problem I'm having is the sound issues. I can use a DVI-to-HDMI cable to show the pictures on my screen using the TV inputs, however there is only one digital sound input, so I only get sound from one. My only thought to get around the limited connectivity of my TV was to buy a receiver (which I was going to do anyway). I'll also be needing HDMI analog upconversion as I want everything hooked to the receiver with 1 HDMI cable going to my TV.

Ideally I would like to find a good receiver that has at least 2 DVI input ports? (I can't seem to find any anywhere) Or can someone give some insight as to how to else I could hook 2 DVI enabled devices to a receiver without DVI.

Thanks

There is a receiver that does DVI, if you are still interested in a DVI switching receiver.

Are you planning on getting speakers for a surround sound, it would defeat the purpose of the receiver without it of course. If you have speakers already let us know what you have. List any important pieces of equipment with model #s if possible so we understand fully what you have. Sorry for all the stuff, but I was having some trouble interpreting what your post was asking for.

Here is the DVI switching receiver,
Outlaw 1070

 

[fannatic]

Thanks for the replies, I am probably going to pick up a receiver this week and take avaserfi's advice (i.e. run a seperate line for the audio). At least that way I don't have to always swap the audiocables in back of my tv everytime I want to switch between satellite and computer.

One more quick question. I'll also be hooking up an xBox to this thing through the component video ports. If I get a receiver with HDMI analogue upconversion will it take the video and audio stream from the xBox and send both through the hdmi cable to the tv?

 

[Seth=L]

One more quick question. I'll also be hooking up an xBox to this thing through the component video ports. If I get a receiver with HDMI analogue upconversion will it take the video and audio stream from the xBox and send both through the hdmi cable to the tv?

Many of the HDMI capable receivers do this now, such as the Yamaha RX-V661 and the Onkyo TX-SR605.

 

[fannatic]

Yesterday, a pushy salesperson was trying to sell me an Onkyo TX-SR804B for $1100 CAD. Is that a good deal? He made it sound like it was the deal of the century.

I'm currently looking to buy the Denon AVR-2307Cl...how does the Onkyo compare to that?

 

[avaserfi]

Both receivers seem to be pretty comparable. So its whichever you really like more Onkyo and Denon both make very capable receivers. I would look online to pick up either though as amazon.com has refurb Onkyos for under 500 USD and I found new ones online for around 800ish USD. It seems like he was trying to push you to buy before you could compare.

 

[Seth=L]

Both receivers seem to be pretty comparable. So its whichever you really like more Onkyo and Denon both make very capable receivers. I would look online to pick up either though as amazon.com has refurb Onkyos for under 500 USD and I found new ones online for around 800ish USD. It seems like he was trying to push you to buy before you could compare.

How much American does $1100 canadian translate too?

The TX-SR804 holds nothing to its predecessor, the TX-SR805, about 20 pounds difference, and a ton more of features.

 

[avaserfi]

How much American does $1100 canadian translate too?

The TX-SR804 holds nothing to its predecessor, the TX-SR805, about 20 pounds difference, and a ton more of features.

Using xe.com I got 1100 CAD was 1027.28 USD. So online seems the way to go.

 

[Seth=L]

He could try Ebay.

 

[fannatic]

I've been looking on eBay, the prices aren't much better than the other online prices I've seen...they're for used parts. Also the selection is pretty slim. Thanks for the help. Now I just have to keep my eyes open for a good deal somewhere.