Sherwood RD-6513 - Hunk-o-JUNK!

Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
and you're not the only one to inquire about it here.
He's not inquiring, he's placing blame.

I've explained this very clearly, you seem to be under the impression that HDMI on a receiver is "COMPLETELY" pointless if it doesn't support audio. For me, yes, it's useless. Not every user has the same demands. I would expect someone who is planning to purchase such a piece of equipment to research it as far as they can, and if they have questions they can ask someone they trust to give honest information regarding these products.

"this level of receiver"

What level are you talking about? This is quite possibly the lowest level of receiver that even has an HDMI connection on it, what did you expect? (and don't say "I'd expect any and all receivers with HDMI to support audio). If you want audio support over HDMI you have to spend more than what you did on the Sherwood, it's not a complicated concept to grasp that spending less money yields a shortage in features and performance.

What bothers me is that someone may read your post and for some reason decide that Sherwood is crap, which for the money it is most certainly not crap. Sherwood has a wide range of receivers, many of which do support audio over HDMI. Sherwood is one of the little guys in the audio world, it'd be a shame to see quality bang for buck product wiped from the face of the earth because people don't trust the company. For you to come along to post that the receiver is garbage because it didn't have a feature you thought it had because you didn't do ample research is absurd. If the receiver fried for no reason I could understand you complaining that it was a "hunk o junk", or if it had HDMI audio processing but it didn't work. To regard something as crap because you didn't realize it didn't support a feature, well it's just silly.
 
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Joeteck

Joeteck

Audioholic
I can't speak to the percentage of people that understand the terminology, but there are reasons to have HDMI switching. It allows someone to choose the video and audio source (when a separate audio connection is made) through the receiver without having to switch inputs on the TV.

The terminology can be confusing, and you're not the only one to inquire about it here.
So its a glorified HDMI "switcher" / hunk-o-junk with 5.1 capability on only Coaxial and optical inputs with analog video technology, with assignable digital inputs my V665 does not have... Again, most consumers who are at this level will not know the difference. end of story.

EDIT: Seems to be really vague all over!!!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=980600

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1105877

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43137

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40520
 
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Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Again, most consumers who are at this level will not know the difference. end of story.
Now that I can agree with. Audibly they won't miss anything using the optical or coax (at least to there ears). The only think those budget minded consumers will be missing is a little less cable cost and simplicity.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
So its a glorified HDMI "switcher" / hunk-o-junk with 5.1 capability on only Coaxial and optical inputs with analog video technology, with assignable digital inputs my V665 does not have... Again, most consumers who are at this level will not know the difference. end of story.

EDIT: Seems to be really vague all over!!!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=980600

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1105877

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43137

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40520
As you can see in each of those threads the answer was quick to follow the question. It's common knowledge to us, much like auto mechanics have their common knowledge regarding vehicles/engines, IT guys and computers, and so on. No one is an expert on everything, that's why we are here. Unfortunately more people are buying online and reading the forums to make educated decisions on buying almost all kinds of merchandise. One doesn't even need to get off the sofa anymore to learn all they need to know about what they are buying and finally purchase it. The online shopper has no excuse, but the brick and mortar shoppers have an excuse. Brick and mortar stores mostly have unknowledgeable staff, think Best Buy, and when it comes to shopping for receivers in a store I would see how one might get lost. These stores have crap for knowledgeable service staff because everyone wants to cut corners to save money. The consumer cuts corners, so the store cuts corners. Everyone is less knowledgeable and ends up with a wrong, inadequate, or pointless (think Monster) product.

It's not the manufacturers fault that not everyone understands these terms and functions, it's the consumer and the retail stores' fault.
 
Joeteck

Joeteck

Audioholic
As you can see in each of those threads the answer was quick to follow the question. It's common knowledge to us, much like auto mechanics have their common knowledge regarding vehicles/engines, IT guys and computers, and so on. No one is an expert on everything, that's why we are here. Unfortunately more people are buying online and reading the forums to make educated decisions on buying almost all kinds of merchandise. One doesn't even need to get off the sofa anymore to learn all they need to know about what they are buying and finally purchase it. The online shopper has no excuse, but the brick and mortar shoppers have an excuse. Brick and mortar stores mostly have unknowledgeable staff, think Best Buy, and when it comes to shopping for receivers in a store I would see how one might get lost. These stores have crap for knowledgeable service staff because everyone wants to cut corners to save money. The consumer cuts corners, so the store cuts corners. Everyone is less knowledgeable and ends up with a wrong, inadequate, or pointless (think Monster) product.

It's not the manufacturers fault that not everyone understands these terms and functions, it's the consumer and the retail stores' fault.
My argument is why have HDMI inputs in the first place with a 5.1 receiver? You can just by a 4 port HDMI switcher for $40 to do this function. It seem pointless to me for any manufacture to have this level of receiver. Since that's the point of of HDMI. None the less, you'll never see my side of the coin since you probably by a $1500 receiver and would never fall into that category...
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
Joe, just give it up.

That $40 switcher won't decode DD, DTS, tune in FM and AM, do bass management, and have several self-contained amplifiers, not to mention remote control to tie it all together.

I took a lot of time trying to explain the situation to you yet you still want to place the blame for his lack of knowledge, and possibly yours as well, everywhere except where it belongs.

It says EVERYWHERE, quite clearly, that it supports HDMI switching, not processing.

And, yes, it can be very useful in the right hands. You've been told, several times by several people, how this receiver can work for him and would be useful to others.

Face it. Your buddy overpaid for a BOTL receiver not understanding what he was buying. That's all there is to it.

He bought a hand saw thinking it was a sawsall. To then complain that it doesn't do what a sawsall does is ludicrous. The lack of expected functionality isn't the hand saws fault, nor is it that of the people that made the hand saw. The blame is with the purchaser.

You both should take this as a learning experience, not try to shift the blame to where it's not warranted.

And, don't give me any of that "$1500 receiver" excrement! You yourself said that for a few dollars more he could have gotten exactly what he wanted!
 
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zznotop

zznotop

Audiophyte
Joe,

HDMI switching is helpful for those with a limited number of HDMI inputs on their TV. Your friend is not screwed. If the PS3 has a Digital Audio Output, all your friend needs to do is buy an additional cable: either digital coax or digital optical depending on the type of output on the PS3. The Sherwood can handle both as input just like my Yamaha RX-V365. Then he can connect the HDMI and the digital audio cable to the receiver and PS3. He will get the digital audio output of his PS3 processed by the receiver via the digital cable. If he doesn't want to hear the sound on his TV passed on by the HDMI, simply mute the TV or turn the TV volume down. Having the digital sound processed via the HDMI is a nice convenience but not required if you are connecting devices that have digital audio outputs. Sherwood makes receivers with top quality sound (I also have a Sherwood RX-4109 stereo reeceiver) and the sound is superior to many more expensive brands. As far as I am concerned, the money saved by choosing HDMI switching over HDMI repeating/processing is well worth the cost of an extra cable. If you are concerned about HDMI features, you should be looking at a receiver's ability to upconvert video. I process my TVs digital sound through my Yamaha with a Digital Optical Audio cable and my DVD players digital sound via a Digital Coax Audio cable.
 
Joeteck

Joeteck

Audioholic
Yes, this has already been established.

But this receiver is still a POS...
 
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Lordoftherings

Lordoftherings

Banned
Sherwood Newcastle has some pretty sweet receivers, with great reviews, and excellent audio sound.

Oh, and by the way, I own an old Kenwood DC stereo receiver (model KR-5010) from the late 70s, I believe, and it still sounds pretty good to me; with Darlington amps, Elna capacitors and a very good tuner too, plus some very good features. Cost me only $15. Canadian dollars too!

I just love this hobby...

Bob
 
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Davemcc

Davemcc

Audioholic Spartan
Yes, this has already been established.

But this receiver is still a POS...
It's not just Sherwood. Bottom of the line receivers from all the major manufacturers are pretty much all HDMI switching. I guess that would make them all hunks o' junk. On the other hand, that might be why they are called bottom of the line receivers in the first place.

Another way to put this is, "your ignorance is not a failing on Sherwood's part".
 
mike c

mike c

Audioholic Warlord
lol. how could i have missed this fun thread?

it's only a POS IF you can find another 199 receiver that does HDMI audio.
(or it breaks down)

otherwise, it's a cheap receiver that does HDMI switching

over here, 199 will buy an analog unknown brand integrated amp. i can't even wish for an AVR unless it was used.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
lol. how could i have missed this fun thread?

it's only a POS IF you can find another 199 receiver that does HDMI audio.
(or it breaks down)

otherwise, it's a cheap receiver that does HDMI switching

over here, 199 will buy an analog unknown brand integrated amp. i can't even wish for an AVR unless it was used.
My receiver was 9 dollars more shipped with full warranty.

It's not fabulous, but I used the review section to rate it. Still it makes sound so I'm not complaining. I like how it sounds and the remote.
 
J

jamie2112

Banned
Well it looks as though it doesn't matter what the OP thinks as he is ..........HISTORY......FWIW if he would of actually READ the product discription he would have seen that...........duh....bye bye
 
walter duque

walter duque

Audioholic Samurai
Sherwood (Sherwood-Newcastle) is a great company. They design 80% of the platforms used in AVR and Pre-Pros on the market today. $199.00 does'nt buy you that much these days.
 
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BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
I'm just going to say that the Sherwood is a POS and those receivers which don't process ANY audio on the HDMI inputs are equally POS worthy products.

There is no call for any manufacturer to not make it 100% clear that their AUDIO/video receiver does not actually handle AUDIO over a audio input cable which the receiver supports.

There are several different versions of 'switching' which are used to describe this lack of feature within an A/V receiver and even I'm confused as to which one specifically says "This receiver can't process audio over HDMI, so you must make an additional audio connection from HDMI video sources if you want the receiver to reproduce audio."

See, now that sentence I understood, but it seems like that is buried on instruction manauals (Page 38, at the bottom).

I understand not only how this could frustrate someone, but how they could read "A/V receiver - SUPPORTS HDMI SWITCHING!" as a 'feature' integral to a audio receiver, which means that audio recevier switches to that HDMI cable, and process the audio just as it switches RCA audio, Coax audio, and optical audio.

When a standard supported feature (audio on HDMI) is not supported, I am in full agreement that manufacturers are skirting the edge of terminology to make their lack of audio processing over HDMI perfectly clear to consumers and are, in fact, using the lack of knowledge of consumers to sell them a product which fails to deliver what is expected on a regular basis.

Kudos! I agree, POS product. Hopefully more people will make it clear that these types of products should not be supported, or delivered to consumers without far more clearly stated specifications.
 
Lordoftherings

Lordoftherings

Banned
Right on!

Mmm... Cannot say that I disagree with the post just above.

Bad politic, bad policy, bad information, bad integrity, bad economy = Suffering for the consumer.

I think that I will cast my vote of Thanks to this poster for his honest perspective about some true facts.

Bob

Note: Hey where did it go? My signature? This is quite strange, anyone knows what's happening?

Note #2: OK, I just did some more research, and all of my other posts have my signature. Only this one does not! Beats me! Que passo?
 
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Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Note: Hey where did it go? My signature? This is quite strange, anyone knows what's happening?

Note #2: OK, I just did some more research, and all of my other posts have my signature. Only this one does not! Beats me! Que passo?
Que?:confused:
 
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