Set-up Opinions

[chpwaman]

As I continue my research for setting up my HT system. I have decided that with some of the components I am going to buy the best available (in terms of format/resolution, etc) and with others I am going to wait until there is some more shake out.

So, I have pretty much decided on a True 1080p TV...from what I have read this seems to be the "gold standard" and should be around for a few years anyway. I'm not really that concerned with the video switching or upscaling/upconverting and I don't plan on making any expensive DVD moves until the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD issue is settled. Once this format is settled, I feel that going from DVD to TV will offer the best/purest connection, as these will provide 1080 output into a 1080 TV.

Quite honestly the only other component I see being hooked up is a cable/satellite box, again, I'm fine going direct with this connection as well...as HD broadcasts increase in resolution (I believe the highest now is 1080i and most in 720p?) I will always be able to handle the increased resolution with a 1080p TV.

So, my actual question, unless you have opinions on any of the above is really about the receiver. I can see the benefits of having video switching, but to truely take advantage of having a 1080p TV I would need to go with something like a Yamaha RX-V2700 that can handle a 1080p signal...correct? But, if switching is not important and my sources (Cable Box and DVD player, once I get a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD) will basically send the highest quality signal and not need to be upscaled or upconverted through the receiver, wouldn't I be better off just buying something like the RX-V2500?

Does anyone know what would happen if you send a 1080 signal from a cable box into the RX-V2500 and out to the 1080p TV (component cables of course)? I'm guessing the 2500 would be useless as a video switcher in the above set-up.

Should I also...if I want the TV to stand the test of time, be sure it supports HDMI 1.3? Would this only matter if I was going to run components through a receiver that supported 1.3? Or, would there still be advantages of having a 1.3 supported DVD going direct to a 1.3 supported TV?

 

[goodman]

You seem to have done you home work. Since you are starting from scratch, why not future-proof your selections to the greatest degree possible? Your choice of a 1080p display is a great start. However, none of the 1080p sets now available support HDMI 1.3, which has the bandwith to support billions of colors (Deep Color). This year should see the emergence of version 1.3 HDMI in video displays.

Likewise, none of the current crop of receivers supports HDMI 1.3. Even if you are not going to use your receiver as a switcher, the emergence of HDMI 1.3, as well as new processing capability in future receivers, may affect your ability to reproduce the upcoming high-resolution sound formats, Dolby True HD and DTS Master HD.

While I don't know for sure, I believe that a 1080i signal from a cable box would transmit to the RX2700 via component cable as 1080i, and be transmitted via component to your 1080p display, which would then upscale it to 1080p.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

CHP,
With your proposed setup a $500 RX-V2500 is a reasonable alternative to spending $1500 or more on a flagship model. Invest the extra money in the speakers, sub, furniture, all of which won't be obsolete in a couple years.

You will probably want a good upscaling DVD player to go with the new TV, check out the models from oppo digital.

 

[Nick250]

CHP,
With your proposed setup a $500 RX-V2500 is a reasonable alternative to spending $1500 or more on a flagship model. Invest the extra money in the speakers, sub, furniture, all of which won't be obsolete in a couple years.

Well said. Put one's system budget where it really matters the most as described by jcPanny above. I would add room treatments to the list as well. Any audible differences in sound between receivers is negligible compared these items IMO.

Nick

 

[chpwaman]

why not future-proof your selections to the greatest degree possible?

Certainly that is my goal...it just seems that this can become an almost impossible task. Just as you pointed out with HDMI 1.3. I could buy a 1080p, something like the Westinghouse brand, which has received great reviews, but doesn't support 1.3. Will I even miss not having 1.3? Does billions of colors make the difference over several million?

I guess there is always going to be an emerging technology. I hadn't even heard of the Dolby True HD and DTS Master HD...which brings up another question...how much better are these really going to sound? It seems that I can certainly future-proof (to an extent) with high quality speakers, then to a lesser degree with a 1080p display, possibly with 1.3, but will HDMI even stop there...how long before 1.4 and 1.5?

I suppose we all struggle with this in the end. Perhaps a speaker set-up and a 1080p display with current HDMI technolgy will be OK (if I don't think I'll miss the video advantage 1.3 offers). I can always take advantage of the Dolby True HD and DTS Master HD sound with a 1.3 DVD and 1.3 capable receiver. Just another reason to pick up the RX-V2500 for the time being, as well wait for the Hi-Def DVD war to shake out.