What Home Theater Receiver Would You Recommend?

[dbadger]

Hi All,

I just took the plunge and purchased a High Def television and new DVD player and need a good receiver to complete my home theater. I was hoping some of you experts could recommend something based on the following:

- My TV has only one HDMI input, and I understand that is the input I’ll need to use for “true” high definition. Therefore, it seems to me (and I am a complete novice) that I need a receiver that has HDMI, Component and Composite inputs and an HDMI output to go into the television.

- My primary means of television is DirecTV, and the receiver uses HDMI output.

- I also have a DVD Player using an HDMI output, and an X-Box that uses Component. So I guess what I am looking for is a receiver with at least 2 HDMI Inputs, at least 1 Component Input, and outputting via HDMI.

- I would like the option to add future component or HDMI devices . . . I would like this receiver/switcher to last a while, so some room for expansion would be nice.

- 5.1 surround audio.

- Under $1,000


So, is there anything you experts would recommend? Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!!

 

[Thunder18]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there are any receivers under a grand that include HDMI at this point in time. There is the Pioneer VSX-74TXVi which I believe is about $1500. The Yamaha RX-V4600 for $18-1900 and the RX-V2600 for about $1400. Last, but not least, the Denon AVR-4806 for $3500. They only go up from there as well! HDMI is nice, but it's main advantage is being able to send digital audio and video through one cable. This is most useful with the Sat receiver box and dvd players, but it's not a necessity. Component video cables are capable of sending 1080i signals to your TV. Then just use either digital coax or digital optical to the receiver and you've done the same thing. Most receivers will accept at least 2 component video inputs and at least 5 digital audio inputs.

If this is not satisfactory, then I'm afraid you are going to have to bump up your spending limit.

 

[Kapolei01]

Which HT receiver to choose

dbadger,

The new fall lineup of new receivers from several manufacturers is going to be out soon (probably the 1st or 2nd week of October). Harman Kardon has already listed a new line of receivers the (AVR40 series, i.e, AVR740) on their website. Marantz has already posted an SR-5600-replacing the SR-5500, on their website with more to soon. If I were you, I would just wait a little bit and see what there is to offer when the new fall lineup from several manufacturers becomes available.

 

[AVRat]

What has been said is correct. Unfortunately, you are looking to buy at a time when technology is going through major transistion. But, when isn't technology going through transition.

On the audio side:
The latest HDMI standard is 1.2 which is not currently being implemented in the new receivers. This new standard allows the DVD-Audio AND SACD signal to be handled digitally.

On the video side:
Some say that they can not see a major difference between the HDMI and component connections. They both can handle the HD video signal, the difference is digital(HDMI) vs. analog(component).

This may sound like a strange recommendation, but I would suggest a planned upgrade. Purchase a less expensive receiver now that handles your current requirement, then perhaps in two years, upgrade when the current latest features are implemented in the lower priced models and should last for many years to come.

 

[droeses58]

Hi All,

I just took the plunge and purchased a High Def television and new DVD player and need a good receiver to complete my home theater. I was hoping some of you experts could recommend something based on the following:

- My TV has only one HDMI input, and I understand that is the input I’ll need to use for “true” high definition. Therefore, it seems to me (and I am a complete novice) that I need a receiver that has HDMI, Component and Composite inputs and an HDMI output to go into the television.

- My primary means of television is DirecTV, and the receiver uses HDMI output.

- I also have a DVD Player using an HDMI output, and an X-Box that uses Component. So I guess what I am looking for is a receiver with at least 2 HDMI Inputs, at least 1 Component Input, and outputting via HDMI.

- I would like the option to add future component or HDMI devices . . . I would like this receiver/switcher to last a while, so some room for expansion would be nice.

- 5.1 surround audio.

- Under $1,000


So, is there anything you experts would recommend? Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!!

Well it doesn't have two hdmi inputs but it does have two dvi inputs and thats the Oulaw 1070 and besides [I know I'll get yelled at but] I dont think there is any real difference between the two as far as video quality goes [at least not yet] I just got this receiver and so far everything about it says quality. And for $899 I would say it's your best bet.

 

[w.e-coyote]

Just adding my two cents worth, I fully agree with AVRat. Most people will be really challenged to see the difference between component and DVI/HDMI input. In fact, depending on, among other things, the screen size, you might not see the difference between HD and SD, let alone analog or digital HD.

To further add to the controversy, you might be better off by letting the TV do the scaling and upconversion. It is very likely that the TV's de-interlacers and scalers are better than the receivers (unless it is really a top-end model). Yet another matter to consider is whether the TV is capable of passing through HD input to the display. Many TV's accept HD input, then scale down to SD for further processing (eg. adding subtitles, menus etc. in another video layer, video enahncements etc.), and then finally scale up again to the target display resolution. This is yet another issue to check; will the receiver scale up to exactly the same resolution as the display? If not, then the TV will probably down-scale and then re-scale to the display.

Bottom line (IMHO) is not just to consider the specs of the receiver in terms of connectivity, but look at the whole system.

 

[jcPanny]

Add on HDMI switch

I would recommend a good receiver like the Yamaha RX-V2500 ($800) or RX-V1500 ($500) from an authorized dealer.

If necessary add an HDMI switch from gefen or another manufacturer for $250+. With the external switch, you could also wait for newer versions of HDMI (1.2, etc.) before you purchase.
Gefen HDMI switches

As sugested by the above posters, you may see not improvement from component cable to HDMI, especially when your satelite is sending an SD signal and if your DVD player is not an upconverting model.