RX-V2600 Audioholics Review?

[Jeje2]

i'm a happy camper with my Yamaha 2600. thx for the strong endorsement. it was a big improvement in features and sound over my ancient HK (which was a great unit in its day).

Well I too had H/K (AVR-3000) before upgrading to V2600 at new year. I too have been very happy with my choice.

But if I had had RX-V2500 I really can't understand why it would be good to upgrade to V2600? All I have read about V2500 it is too a strong unit that still is quite good. Also as the HDMI standard is still developing I would wait for the next model.

 

[Audioholics]

Also as the HDMI standard is still developing I would wait for the next model.

While I sympathize - at some point you just have to pull the plug as HDMI 1.3 may take quite a while and won't be the last upgrade.

 

[Jeje2]

While I sympathize - at some point you just have to pull the plug as HDMI 1.3 may take quite a while and won't be the last upgrade.

(Sad to see you take my writing out of contest)
Yes definetely, but if you have RX-V2500 I see no need to change now?

I'm saying that until you have a "big" enough difference with the old AVR there isn't a need to chance - I just don't see it with 2500 vs 2600 (Of course this is just IIRC and someone else can see diferently)

And yes I do have RX-V2600, but I upgraded from H/K AVR3000 (ca. four years old model). In this case the difference was big enough to get a receiver with only HDMI v1.1 although I knew new standards ahd already been aproved.

 

[Attila da_hun]

Question regarding pure direct mode

Hello everyone, I have been lurking here at audioholics for a little over a month now and must say that I've come to respect this site for it's depth of knowledge, sound opinions and advice given. After reading and heeding from what I've read here, I decided to join this group in the hopes that I may be able to both draw from and contribute as well. So, here I go getting both feet wet. I have recently done a complete overhaul of my HT system which includes my recently purchased RX-V2600 receiver; which brings me to my first question (hopefully not posted as yet). In playing with it over the course of this past week, Ive come across a perplexing situation regarding the use of the Pure Direct mode, as the title of my thread suggests. Using cd's,on my dvd player or switching to the built in tuner, I can go into pure direct mode; but, if I select my high/def PVR (Motorolla 6412) as the source (for digital audio programming ie: Galaxy), I get an "analog selected" message come up with no sound heard. Interestingly, I had noticed that if I replace the CD that works in pure direct mode with a DVD video title in my player. it will yield the same result that I get with the PVR. I have tried this with both a coaxial then an optical connection and get the same result. I called motorolla with regards to this and the tech support wasn't able to help as she never heard of Pure Direct. If anyone could shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Attila

 

[Attila da_hun]

re last post

As you can tell, I am a newbie here and don't understand why the latter half of my post is lined out and do appologize in advance
Regards Attila

 

[mike c]

attila post

Hello everyone, I have been lurking here at audioholics for a little over a month now and must say that I've come to respect this site for it's depth of knowledge, sound opinions and advice given. After reading and heeding from what I've read here, I decided to join this group in the hopes that I may be able to both draw from and contribute as well. So, here I go getting both feet wet. I have recently done a complete overhaul of my HT system which includes my recently purchased RX-V2600 receiver; which brings me to my first question (hopefully not posted as yet). In playing with it over the course of this past week, Ive come across a perplexing situation regarding the use of the Pure Direct mode, as the title of my thread suggests. Using cd's,on my dvd player or switching to the built in tuner, I can go into pure direct mode; but, if I select my high/def PVR (Motorolla 6412) as the source (for digital audio programming ie: Galaxy), I get an "analog selected" message come up with no sound heard. Interestingly, I had noticed that if I replace the CD that works in pure direct mode with a DVD video title in my player. it will yield the same result that I get with the PVR. I have tried this with both a coaxial then an optical connection and get the same result. I called motorolla with regards to this and the tech support wasn't able to help as she never heard of Pure Direct. If anyone could shed some light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Attila

you can edit your post if you want and look for < s > and delete that.

 

[gene]

As you can tell, I am a newbie here and don't understand why the latter half of my post is lined out and do appologize in advance
Regards Attila

Wow I didn't even know you could do that I will see if I can fix it for you.

 

[SamY]

Re: Question regarding pure direct mode

Hi Attila.

Coincidentally, this is also my first post on Audioholics after a month of lurking and learning. First of all, congratulations on your RX-V2600 purchase! As for me, I'm waiting until I am officially notified that I didn't win the Audioholics giveaway before I put down my own hard-earned money.

I think that your problem is due to the fact that, according to page 42 of the Owners Manual, Pure Direct mode only works with analog and PCM digital sources. On the same page it says that "When a multi-channel signal (Dolby Digital or DTS) is input, this unit automatically switches to the corresponding analog input." Thus, the "analog selected" message. I am guessing that you have not connected the analog RCA L/R audio outputs of the DVD player and 6412 receiver to the V2600, which is why you end up with no sound. The reason that the CD works over the digital connection is that it is a PCM source. Some music DVD's contain both Dolby Digital and PCM audio tracks, selectable from the disc menu. You could select the PCM track in order to use Pure Direct mode with these titles. As far as the 6412 goes, I have the Comcast version and it seems to output all digital audio, including the Music Choice channels, in Dolby Digital. So, in order to engage the Pure Direct mode with the 6412 (or for non-PCM DVD titles), you should theoretically only have to connect the corresponding analog audio outputs to the V2600 in addition to the digital ones.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

-Sam

 

[Attila da_hun]

Hi Sam, welcome aboard and good luck with winning the receiver . Since I'm in Canada, I didn't think I was eligable . You are correct in that I am not using the analog outputs as well as the digital ones from the 6412. I understand what you say regarding Dolby digital, pcm and analog signals. What I took for granted, was that the 6412 would automatically go into PCM mode (an option that doesn't seem to be available on this unit) when the signal was not in multi channel mode ie: Dolby digital broadcasts as was the case for my 6000 series satellite receiver I owned. It is a shame that the 6412 doesn't do internal switching of the audio signals considering it's price. Oh well, two more cables to add I and I'll be back in business. Thanks for pointing out what is already stipulated in the manual (I read it too quickly).
Regards Attila

 

[gmichael]

Hi Attila.

Coincidentally, this is also my first post on Audioholics after a month of lurking and learning. First of all, congratulations on your RX-V2600 purchase! As for me, I'm waiting until I am officially notified that I didn't win the Audioholics giveaway before I put down my own hard-earned money.

I think that your problem is due to the fact that, according to page 42 of the Owners Manual, Pure Direct mode only works with analog and PCM digital sources. On the same page it says that "When a multi-channel signal (Dolby Digital or DTS) is input, this unit automatically switches to the corresponding analog input." Thus, the "analog selected" message. I am guessing that you have not connected the analog RCA L/R audio outputs of the DVD player and 6412 receiver to the V2600, which is why you end up with no sound. The reason that the CD works over the digital connection is that it is a PCM source. Some music DVD's contain both Dolby Digital and PCM audio tracks, selectable from the disc menu. You could select the PCM track in order to use Pure Direct mode with these titles. As far as the 6412 goes, I have the Comcast version and it seems to output all digital audio, including the Music Choice channels, in Dolby Digital. So, in order to engage the Pure Direct mode with the 6412 (or for non-PCM DVD titles), you should theoretically only have to connect the corresponding analog audio outputs to the V2600 in addition to the digital ones.

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

-Sam

Ding ding ding....

We have a correct answer here. Pure direct needs analog input.

Great answer.

 

[hopjohn]

DVI & the RX-V2600

In helping a friend with his setup the other day I came across this scenario.

He is using a DLP display whose only digital video input is a DVI-D connection. When using a HDMI to DVI cable from the 2600 to the display, HDMI up-scaling is grayed out in the 2600's menus. No matter the source or signal type this portion of the menu remains grayed out. Thus leaving him with 480p at best to the display when using the HDMI output.

Is there anyone out there using a DVI-D connection to their display that can enable HDMI-upscaling with the 2600?

I would agree that the HQV results are not that big of a deal, but no upscaling to DVI-D only displays???? If true, then in my opinion this is simply a tremendous oversight on the part of Yamaha

Could this be corrected with a firmware/software upgrade or is this a hardware only fix?

Clint, your comments would be appreciated. I'm trying to help this guy out. I recommended this receiver to him based on the review. With this problem, I feel bad that I did.

 

[jmone]

1080p over HDMI is supported by the HDMI spec, but needs to be enabled and implemented by the hardware manufacturer. Now that I have a 1080p display and source in house I'll test this. My current understanding is that the Yamaha RX-V2600 will not pass 1080p, but I will verify this week.

Hi Clint, any luck checking this out yet?

 

[jeffsg4mac]

In helping a friend with his setup the other day I came across this scenario.

He is using a DLP display whose only digital video input is a DVI-D connection. When using a HDMI to DVI cable from the 2600 to the display, HDMI up-scaling is grayed out in the 2600's menus. No matter the source or signal type this portion of the menu remains grayed out. Thus leaving him with 480p at best to the display when using the HDMI output.

Is there anyone out there using a DVI-D connection to their display that can enable HDMI-upscaling with the 2600?

I would agree that the HQV results are not that big of a deal, but no upscaling to DVI-D only displays???? If true, then in my opinion this is simply a tremendous oversight on the part of Yamaha

Could this be corrected with a firmware/software upgrade or is this a hardware only fix?

Clint, your comments would be appreciated. I'm trying to help this guy out. I recommended this receiver to him based on the review. With this problem, I feel bad that I did.

Hmmm, I am using an HDMI to DVI cable and I can upscale, but I have mine set to pass through so everything is greyed out. My DVD player upscales so I let it do it and everything is coming in via HDMI. How are the sources coming in? HDMI or other?

 

[hopjohn]

The sources are a VCR @ 480i w/ composite, DVD player @ 480p w/ component, XBox @ 480p-1080i (game dependent) w/ component.

jeff if it isn't too much trouble could you try duplicating one of these types of connections without using any HDMI inputs and see if you can access HDMI upscale and use 720p to your display. Also it would be helpful if you could tell me what the menu setting signal info > video is saying with the above connection made.

I'd appreciate it.

 

[hopjohn]

Anyone who could provide further information or first hand experiences regarding post #91 would be helpful.

 

[mjharris41]

Is there anyone out there using a DVI-D connection to their display that can enable HDMI-upscaling with the 2600?

Yep, I got a covnerter cable and am running it to a Mitsubishi WS-65515, which has a DVI port, but claims to support HDMI over it. Anyway, it ended up working well. I'm not really sure what the relationship between DVI and HDMI is. My understanding was that running an HDMI cable to a DVI port would work, but you wouldn't get the audio. I'm not sure whether the DVI port also needs to support an HDMI standard too?

In any case, good luck! -hope that gets worked out for you.

Edit: Thought I should clarify. The display has a DVI connection, but the documentation explicitly stated that this DVI connection supports HDMI. I don't know whether that's important or not (whether HDMI support is implied for any DVI connection).

 

[hopjohn]

mjharris: Maybe I should rephrase the question since I can't be certain the way you phrased your response that we are talking about the same thing. Are you able to upscale a 480i or 480p source to 720p or 1080i with the RX-V2600 when using a dvi input on your display?

My "HDMI up-scaling" options are grayed in the Yamaha's GUI, and I can only get a 480p signal sent out of the 2600.

 

[Audioholics]

I'm putting in an email about this to Yamaha. I have a theory based on some testing that may shed some light on it... It never came up during the review due to the way I had things connected.

 

[steinoch]

problem with HDMI

I'm getting intermittant static on the lower half of the picture when I utilize the HDMI out from the reciever while converting the cable box component input. To make things worse the signal is blocked all together when I try to use the HDMI from the cable box to the reciever. When I bypass the receiver the singnal is fine. Has anyone had this problem?

My guess is that the cable box has some copyright issues and is reading the yamaha as a recording device when hooked up via HDMI. This has been extremely frustrating considering it has eliminated my use of the HDMI switchig all together.

 

[Audioholics]

To make things worse the signal is blocked all together when I try to use the HDMI from the cable box to the reciever.

You will want to read THIS.