RX-V2600 Upscaling question

[esk456]

Ok, I've been lurking on this and other forums for a while, trying to make a purchase decision for a new receiver. My old receiver is 10+ years old, a Yamaha RX-v793, I think (not sure on the model #).

Besides giving some hiss (like, LOUD hiss, like something's broken), my old receiver is very far out of date with modern tech.

I was originally considering the Pioneer 1015, but had to nix that for lack of audio delay, as I plan on eventually going the front-projection route. So, that put me back over to Yamaha, and then I was looking at the 1600, for just a little more on the price than the 1015, with virtually the same features.

Then I started reading about "upscaling".

So, I've read through the posts, but I need to make sure I have this right before I make a final purchase decision:

I have a Mitsubishi 48" HDTV, model 48313 I think (I'm posting this from the office, so all model numbers are from memory). The TV has a DVI input that I *think* is HDCP compliant, the set is only ~2 years old or so. Also, it only does 1080i, not 720p.

Source is coming from a Pioneer universal player, the 563 IIRC. Also fairly new.

So, am I correct in understanding that, with my current setup, if I run component video from the DVD player into the 2600, and then signal out to the DVI (obviously with a HDMI/DVI conversion cable), that the scaler in the 2600 will, in essence, "force" the TV to play the source in 1080i resolution? (I know it's not TRUE resolution, I mean, as from the algorithms in the proc).

And... more to the point... could this FINALLY mean the end of accursed F'ING letterboxing for me?

I HATE letterboxing. I bought a 16:9 tv, partially for HD, and partially to get rid of that stuf.... only to find out, most "widescreen" DVD's are in a format that is "even wider" than my TV!

So, although I fully understand that the DVD's and non-HD broadcasts are natively in 480i.... with the upscaling on the 2600 FINALLY enable me to truly use all of my TV's screen real estate even with non-HD source material? If that's the case, then pretty much my decision will be made.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha upscalling

Yes, the Yamaha 2600 will take a 480i input signal and upscale to 1080i over the hdmi/dvi cable.
No, this will not eliminate black bars on the bottom of DVDs that are wider than 16:9.
No, unless the yamaha has a "stretch" scaling feature, it will still have black bars on the sides when you are watching SD cable. Check the Yamaha manual to determine exactly which scaling modes/features it has.

 

[esk456]

Yes, the Yamaha 2600 will take a 480i input signal and upscale to 1080i over the hdmi/dvi cable.
No, this will not eliminate black bars on the bottom of DVDs that are wider than 16:9.
No, unless the yamaha has a "stretch" scaling feature, it will still have black bars on the sides when you are watching SD cable. Check the Yamaha manual to determine exactly which scaling modes/features it has.

Ok, that's good info, and that's what I was afraid of.

So then, if I'm running 480i source material through this thing (SD cable, or DVD), can anyone tell me if the "upscaling" makes the picture REALLY all that much noticeably better on a fairly standard widescreen HDTV? My thought process on this is that, for nearly half the price, I can get a Yamaha HTR-5890 (RX-V1500), that has nearly the same feature set and specs as the 1600 and 2600, with the exception of Burr-Brown DAC's, and HDMI video switching/upconversion on the 1600, and add to that the upscaling on the 2600. Other than that, I can't see much difference, and I could certainly think of other things to spend the extra $500 on. Like a pair of Magnepan MMGs, or a entry-level SVS subwoofer(to supplement my existing Dayton Titanic 10" sub)

Any thoughts on the above?

 

[jcPanny]

If you don't need upscaling and HDMI . . .

Look for a Yamaha RX-V2500 for about $600.