Sony XBR and AV Receiver

[bassbait]

Good afternoon

I have zeroed in on a Sony XBR4 or 5 HDTV which is loaded with all the same features that I find myself shopping for in an AV Receiver (multi HDMI, upscaling, deep color,...) So, it seems like I am paying twice for the same set of features. Is it heresy to purchase a less capable receiver, connect the digital audio out of the TV into it, and allow the TV to do all the complex video processing, upscaling, decoding, etc etc etc? As long as the receiver is capable of producing the audio quality, don't I have everything I really want? I should get full 5.1 or 7.1 sound from that digital audio stream, correct?

Or is there something inherently less capable in the TV's implementation of the receiver?

Thanks.

 

[Johnd]

Not at all. It is a mistake to purchase amenities in a receiver that you'll never use.

The general consensus is to purchase speakers first. That will dictate how much power is required in your receiver. The last thing wants to do is scale repeatedly a signal. Do it once, with the best scaler. If you have your speakers and display, that should pretty much dictate what kind of receiver you need.

Hey. And welcome to the forum.

 

[bassbait]

Thanks John.

Another question. I am considering a Yamaha YSP system for audio to satisfy my wife and eliminate hordes of wires and boxes. The Yamaha supposedly supports HDMI-CEC...what are the chances it will interoperate with Sony's Bravia Theater Sync which is supposed to be based on the same standard?

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver features

Bait,
As you point out, HDMI switching and audio processing on the receiver are not essential, but they are becomming more common. There are a few advantages to having these features on the receiver:
1. Convenience of allowing a single HDMI output from the receiver so switching audio source switches video source.
2. HDMI audio processing, allows new DD and DTS HD audio formats when used with a BluRay or HD-DVD source.
3. Some high end models include video upscaling

 

[Johnd]

Gee, I really don't know bassbait. I truly like my "boxes and wires." You sure you won't reconsider and get some real speakers...I don't know what I would do without my 7.1...I'd be lost, and it just wouldn't seem real. Audioholics wrote a review stating that a separate sub was necessary, so some food for thought. Cheers.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/yamaha-ysp-1