What I want vs What I need

[HOSS]

Hi folks. First off I just want to say how great it is to have the quality of information available from the people on this forum. Which brings me to my situation. Here is my setup:
Panasonic 42PX60U TV
Def Tech Pro monitor 1000 fronts, Pro center 1000, BP1.2X surrounds
Velodyne DPS 12
Oppo 970
Digital cable

I have no receiver. I'm looking at Yamaha and Denon, but I'm leaning toward the RXV-2600. Do I really need a receiver that has upconversion and scaling with the the set up I have? Yes, I could save up for them, but if I'm not going to need or use a lot of the functions, why pay for it. I might get Dish HD in the future. The 970 is currently hooked up with the HDMI cable to the TV. I'll have to experiment using it with whichever receiver I get. Current sound setup is only 5.1, and I don't think I need a zone 2 or 3 function.

The more I read on here, the longer I wait to buy. Too many choices

 

[jonnythan]

Do I really need a receiver that has upconversion and scaling with the the set up I have?

No. Go to ubid.com or ebay.com and get virtually any good-condition Dolby Digital receiver with the right inputs (3+ component in/out, multiple digital audio inputs, etc) from Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, etc.

Something like this would be more than sufficient:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-YAMAHA-RXV559-6-1-CH-HOME-THEATRE-RECEIVER-RXV559_W0QQitemZ250063890790QQihZ015QQcategoryZ39801QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

If you aren't concerned about upscalling and HDMI on the receiver, check out the deals on UBID for a Yamaha RX-V1600 or RX-V2500 for <$500. The 1600 even includes HDMI switching.

 

[Crackerballer]

I just sold my Yami RX-V2500 for a Denon AVR-887. Cost me about $150 to do so. Was it worth it? Probably not. I lost some featuers of the Yami, and some power, and got up converting and HDMI Switching and outs. But I wanted it, the girlfriend is about to buy us a DLP 50 inch, which will be the total tits with my PS3 and the Oppo I get. That is why I got the Denon.

With all that said, the RX-v1600 has great reviews, and would prob be a great receiver for you, as would be the VX-v2500

 

[HOSS]

If you aren't concerned about upscalling and HDMI on the receiver, check out the deals on UBID for a Yamaha RX-V1600 or RX-V2500 for <$500. The 1600 even includes HDMI switching.

I guess the only reason I was thinking I needed upscalling would be for my digital cable running through the receiver. With my Tivo, I'm currently using the composite outs to my TV. If I'm correct, an upscalling receiver with HDMI would allow me to hook the composites to the receiver and then use the HDMI from receiver to TV.

 

[jonnythan]

I guess the only reason I was thinking I needed upscalling would be for my digital cable running through the receiver. With my Tivo, I'm currently using the composite outs to my TV. If I'm correct, an upscalling receiver with HDMI would allow me to hook the composites to the receiver and then use the HDMI from receiver to TV.

An upscaling receiver with component would allow you to hook the composite to the receiver and then use the component from the receiver to the TV.

 

[HOSS]

I see, so it would only upscale from one input level to the next best? BTW, thanks for the quick replies.

 

[jonnythan]

I see, so it would only upscale from one input level to the next best? BTW, thanks for the quick replies.

No, most receivers will upscale to all higher "levels."

For instance, my $250 (used) Denon takes a composite input and outputs it over S-video and component. I was just saying that you don't need HDMI on the receiver. It doesn't really get you anything except the ability to eliminate a cable or two.

 

[HOSS]

No, most receivers will upscale to all higher "levels."

For instance, my $250 (used) Denon takes a composite input and outputs it over S-video and component. I was just saying that you don't need HDMI on the receiver. It doesn't really get you anything except the ability to eliminate a cable or two.

Ahhh, enlightenment. Now it is clear to me, thanks for the help. I will look for a receiver without HDMI, which should make my choices easier.

 

[AVRat]

WHOA!! You’re confusing up-scaling with up-conversion/transcoding. Transcoding allows up/down conversion of the cable types, ie. composite to component. Scaling converts resolution from one to another, ie. 480 to 720.

 

[HOSS]

Basically, all I'm trying to do is get a receiver that has good power and can possibly help the way I watch cable TV. Either by changing the video quality (if possible) or by allowing for better cables to view the existing video quality. The unknown factor is wanting to switch to Dish HD down the road and not having to buy a different receiver when I do.

 

[AVRat]

TVs generally do a good job up-scaling to their native resolution so the receiver doesn’t need the feature. And since your TV’s resolution is 768 there’s no need to feed it a 1080 signal so HDMI conversion/switching isn’t necessary. Therefore, any receiver with component conversion/switching is the only requirement. You’re in the right ballpark with your choices. If your space isn’t too big, any good quality 100W receiver should work well.

 

[Warpdrv]

Just so you are aware, there is no product that will make and input like standard definition cable or sattelite look better... what you put in is what you get out..

Garbage in... Garbage out.. Alot of people buy these expensive receivers and want a miracle to happen.. It won't make it look better..
Even the best HD programming will be only as good as what is put into the receiver...

good luck in your choices...

Warp