Receiver HDMI question

[wesley8747]

I tried searching for the answer to my question with no luck so I am sorry if it has already been answered in another thread.

I am looking to buy a a/v receiver with HDMI in and out. Will a receiver up convert a component signal to run over the HDMI or will I have to run both component and HDMI from my receiver to my TV? I am planning to run my wires before I hang sheet rock so I was trying to figure out what all I need to run. Thanks
Wesley

 

[Adam]

Hi, Wesley, and welcome to the forum!

Some receivers will do that, and some won't. You can view the features list for the receivers on the manufacturers' websites or the seller websites, but I like to check the owner's manuals (almost always available on the manufacturers' websites) to check how the receiver will route video signals and if it can convert like you want to do.

If you have some in mind, we could even check them for you if you're still not sure after looking.

 

[markw]

Some do, some don't.

What you need to look for is the "Upconvert" feature. This will take pretty much whatever you send into it into HDMI for the output. You really don't want to take this feature for granted.

A lot of people confuse this with "upscaling", which is where it will take a lower resolution signal (480 from, say, a DVD player) in and send it out at a higher resolution, say 720 or1080. This is nice, but not all receivers do this equally well. But don't fret. All HDTV's do this internally so having it in a receiver is less important than it seems, but usually these two features are bundled together.

 

[wesley8747]

I am currently looking at the yamaha RX-V663 and it looks like it has the up conversion. However, cnet does not have a great review on this product. Is there another receiver in this price range that might be better?
I am assuming that if I get a receiver like this all I will need at the tv is a power source and an HDMI connection. All my audio and video should be able to run through the HDMI. Am I correct in my thinking or am I overlooking something?

Thanks again
Wesley

 

[Adam]

Wesley,

Your thinking is spot on. The 663 can convert any video input to HDMI. Unless you are wanting to run audio from the TV to the receiver (say, for over-the-air broadcasts), you could do just want to mentioned.

The 663 has gotten some good reviews and remarks by people on this forum. I'd suggest doing a search on the forum for it, as you should see quite a few posts on it.

EDIT: To clarify, I'm assuming that you want to send video to the TV via HDMI and play the audio through the receiver.

 

[markw]

Basically.

Isn't it great that there are no simple answers here?

If you intend to never use the TV's speakers and always use te system's main speakers, then you are correct. Your HDMI run to the TV will be a video only run.

if you DO intend to use the TV's speakers in lieu of the main system on occasion, then you may need to run a separate analog audio run from the receiver to the TV. This is a whole 'nuther issue.

But, if you're gonna use the receiver for all your video/audio switching then it wouldn't make sense to use the TV's internal speakers at all.

 

[just-some-guy]

all of the reveiws i have seen on the 663 were excelent.

anyway. if running inwall wiring. wouldn't it be WISE to make it easy to add/change them as needed ?

 

[just-some-guy]

i little confused about this topic...

he is re/building a room. he wants to put all the wiring "behind" the drywall, before putting up the drywall. that way, the wires are hidden.

 

[wesley8747]

Just-some-guy, what other wires would you recommend running other than HDMI?

 

[just-some-guy]

wes. your asking the wrong guy. but i am sure the right guy/s will fill ya in.

 

[Kai]

Search the forum for Yamaha 663, Denon 1909/789 and Onkyo 606...all, as well as a few others, will fill the bill.
The mentioned models have, generally, very favorable reviews.