Which device will hook up all my junk?

[Luth]

Really, if you couldn't tell by the crass topic, I have no idea about what is capable and what is feasible. I'm an A/V novice, just purchased my first projector, and am trying to figure out all the odd bits. I know nothing about splitters or switches. I've never had a home theatre, nor have I even ever been in one. Yet, despite these lackings, I'm trying to build my own. (If you're a praying man...)

My projector will be no more than 20 linear feet from the entertainment cabinet / power outlet. I have to connect up the following:
PlayStation 2
GameCube
XBox360 (w/ HD-DVD player, wee)
Standard cable box (don't yet subscribe to HD-TV)
PC w/ DVI-out (that I will probably get a DVI to HDMI converter for)

Its a lot of old RCA component cables as well as new HDMI stuff all mixed together. :-/ Enough to confuse me. I also have an old Denon DRA375-RD audio (only) receiver that I've routed my TV and stereo through in the past.

What I dont know, essentially, is what to buy. I know, pretty pathetic, but... hey, we're all newbies at one point in time, right? I *think* what I want is something I can plug all my Audio/Video into, and have either 1) a single output that I can split into Audio and Video components, run the Video as HDMI to my Projector, and my Audio as component to my existing receiver, OR 2) an HDMI video as well as component audio output to go to each.

Any help is appreciated. I've been looking through this forum as well as BigScreenForums.com for awhile, but I'm afraid I'm just such a novice, most of it isnt sinking in.

 

[Haoleb]

Basically what you need is a reciever. You can run all of the components into it and have a single video cable from it to the projector. All the video and audio switching would be done in the reciever along with having something to power some speakers if you have any.

 

[Luth]

I looked at a few of the recommended receivers on this site (the cheaper ones, mind you), and, honestly, thoroughly lost me. I vaguely know what I need and can sorta read what they have... but not enough to be able to look at one and say "Yes, this will handle everything I have, and even has room for a Wii, should I buy one for the kids!"

Maybe you could point at one that will work, and then I can ask you all sorts of questions about why it'll work? I know its asking much, but I'm just... still too novice at this point to trust myself to do anything, ya know?

 

[gus6464]

If your price point is around $400-500 I would say get either of the following:

Harman Kardon AVR-247
Yamaha RX-V661
Onkyo TX-SR605

 

[Luth]

I'm using the Harman Kardon AVR-247 as an example, but the question applies to all the receivers:
I see it has 3 RCA component in (+1 dvd) and a component video out, as well as 2 HDMI in and one HDMI out. Will that allow me to hook up, say, my PS2 on RCA component and output it over the HDMI-out? Or will I have to run both RCA video-out and HDMI-out to the projector, and keep switching the projector mode? I'd like to use just the HDMI-in on the projector and not have to switch, but if that cant be done, then I guess I'll stop caring about that.

Q2: Which of those three stands out from the rest, and why?

 

[Luth]

>> I'm not sure why this forum only shows 5 topics at a time, but I figured bumping this would be preferable to reposting. <<

 

[aberkowitz]

I'm using the Harman Kardon AVR-247 as an example, but the question applies to all the receivers:
I see it has 3 RCA component in (+1 dvd) and a component video out, as well as 2 HDMI in and one HDMI out. Will that allow me to hook up, say, my PS2 on RCA component and output it over the HDMI-out? Or will I have to run both RCA video-out and HDMI-out to the projector, and keep switching the projector mode? I'd like to use just the HDMI-in on the projector and not have to switch, but if that cant be done, then I guess I'll stop caring about that.

You can run the PS2 to the receiver via component and then to the TV via HDMI. No need to run additional cables to the tv. I'm pretty sure that's the same for any device that you run through to your receiver. Your receiver will do the job of upscaling and downscaling as necessary.

Q2: Which of those three stands out from the rest, and why?

You'll find differing opinions from everybody based on their brand bias. I personally own an Onkyo 805 and I absolutely love it, and I've heard great things about the 605. Line them up side by side on Onecall to see all of the differences in features. Most of what you'll see is preferential differences- listening mode support, size, weight, # of inputs, etc. They all have 2 HDMI inputs. The only major difference that I can see is that the HK is a little less powerful 50W per channel vs. 90W for both the Yamaha and the Onkyo.

Most physical stores carry these, so go in and check them out. Like I said, with these 3 most reviews will come down to personal brand preference, so in the end you'll have to go with your gut feel.

 

[Luth]

Really, so all receivers will convert analog component input to hdmi output? Thats great! See, thats the kinda "Duh, everyone knows that" information that I just don't know.

I'm not sure what "Onecall" is, but I'm sure a quick Google will clear that up. The prices are the same, and the user reviews seem the same as well. I think I'll pick one up (which one, I dont know, and probably doesn't matter) with my next paycheck.

Of course, then I'll need speakers........... but thats for another thread.

-edit-

More questions. I'm looking at the Yamaha vs Onkyo, and something caught my eye: "upconverting"
The Onkyo has this little blurb about upconversion:

Video Upconversion Using Faroudija DCDi Edge Technology: The Onkyo TX-SR605 utilizes deinterlacing chips featuring Faroudja DCDi Edge technology to convert interlaced video signals to progressive scan signals. This technology helps effectively eliminate video artifacts from HDTV images. The Onkyo TX-SR605 will upconvert incoming analog composite video, S-video and component video signals to HDMI so you can connect all your video sources through the receiver and then to your TV via HDMI to give you the best picture quality possible. The receiver can also convert composite video and S-video signal to component if your television does not feature an HDMI input.

But a reviewer states:

The term used is "upconvert" which is misleading. It does "upconvert" video signal to HDMI so you only have to use one cable for your video needs but it does not upscale them to HD. There is a sub menu that does let you choose the 720p resolution but the pitchure was cropped to a 4:3 aspect ratio not the 16:9 for a HD widescreen and looked distorted.

The Yamaha doesnt say anything about "upconverting," but on Crtuchfield I saw this little ad for the Yamaha RX-V861 (+$400) which claims:

Home theater receiver with HDMI switching and video upconversion
- digital video upconversion to 720p or 1080i via HDMI output

So... again, I know nothing. Help!?

 

[aberkowitz]

More questions. I'm looking at the Yamaha vs Onkyo, and something caught my eye: "upconverting"
The Onkyo has this little blurb about upconversion:
But a reviewer states:
The Yamaha doesnt say anything about "upconverting," but on Crtuchfield I saw this little ad for the Yamaha RX-V861 (+$400) which claims:

So... again, I know nothing. Help!?

Read into both blurbs a little more slowly... I think you'll get it .

The blurb about the Onkyo confirms what we were talking about before- the ability of the receiver to take a non-HDMI signal and output it to the TV via an HDMI cable. All the second Onkyo blurb states is that if the incoming signal is not HD (e.g. the PS2 connected by S-Video) then this particular receiver won't be able to upconvert it to an HD-like resolution.

As you start moving up price points (e.g. the Yamaha 861), signal upconversion is included as a feature. This means that the receiver can take a non-HD signal (e.g. 480i) and convert it up to an HD resolution (e.g. 720p/1080i). There are a lot of differing opinions on the effectiveness of this process (And believe me I'm no expert) but what I've been able to glean from my readings is that in the end it all depends on the source material. If you're talking about a high quality newly released non-HD DVD, then the upconversion will be much more effective than if the source was an old DVD or a VHS tape. In the end though, AV receiver upconversion seems to be very subjective and its probably not worth paying 2x the cost of another receiver just to get that feature.

Bottom-line, based on the types of inputs that you have- and assuming that you subscribe to HDTV (and wuith a brand new projector you definitely should) I think one of the receivers we've been discussing in the $300-500 price range will be more than satisfactory for your needs.

 

[Luth]

Aah, I think I get it. Its a 720p projector. So, will these receivers take a 480i signal and "upconvert" it to a 720p-sized image (even if the quality is, of course, not 720p)? Or, am I missing the point, and my projector will display any resolution image at the size I tell it to, or... ? (I've never owned a projector, or HD-capable display before, so I have so many little questions...)

(And, no, I dont subscribe to HD-TV. I dont actually watch TV very often, and I kinda cant afford it for the time being.)