Which Receiver for me?

[optimusprine]

I will start off with 2 speakers (Klipsch RB-10) and will possibly add more in the future. Now I need help deciding which receiver to buy. Most important deciding factor is the price and I would like to keep it below $300. So far I have narrowed down my choices to these ones

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V363BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0013ZGOYM/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216390798&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V463BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0013ZGOXS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216389670&sr=8-7
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR575-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B000OBOGEQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216391237&sr=1-9

I'm a total noob when it comes to receivers and I chose these 3 only because of the price and the reviews. Can someone please explain to me why people don't like the Yamaha 363? People keep mentioning that only video is passed through the HDMI cable and audio is not played through the attached speakers but through the integrated speakers in the TV. I'm not sure I understand correctly. Does this mean if I attached a DVD player with an HDMI cable to the receiver, I would get video and audio from the TV attached to the receiver (also using HDMI)? I'm very confused and would appreciate clarifications.

These are the only components that I plan on using with my setup so far.
a) DVD player with HDMI
b) Nintendo Wii
c) 32' Samsung LCD TV
d) Klipsch RB-10

I obviously want to use the least amount of cables as possible to keep it simple. The Wii uses component cables so would I have any problems with video and audio when I connect the cables to the receiver? What about the DVD player when I use an HDMI cable to connect it to the receiver?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I will start off with 2 speakers (Klipsch RB-10) and will possibly add more in the future. Now I need help deciding which receiver to buy. Most important deciding factor is the price and I would like to keep it below $300. So far I have narrowed down my choices to these ones

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V363BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0013ZGOYM/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216390798&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V463BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0013ZGOXS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216389670&sr=8-7
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR575-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B000OBOGEQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1216391237&sr=1-9

I would just pick the least expensive one.

 

[Midcow2]

HDMI not at 1.3 level need separate audio connections

The Yamaha 463 adds the following over the Yamaha 363

YPAO (w/ Optimizer Microphone) - auto speaker setup, XM satellite and Siruis satellite ready, Neural surorund sound. 105w versus 100w. These aren't major unless you plan to use saltelite radio.

The HDMI processing on the Yamaha 363 form page 16 of thier manual states that it is video only. Some of the earlier HDMI specs 1.1 and 1.2 while othier original intent and original specificatiosn stated they would pass both video and audio via HDMI calbel actually only passed vidoe. HDMI 1.3 will pass both audio and video. I would surmise that the Yamaha 363 is either HDMI 1.1 or HDMI 1.2 compatible nad not hDMI 1.3 compatible.

From the manual:

Audio signals input at the HDMI jack are not output
from any speaker terminals but output from the
connected video monitor.
To enjoy the sound from speakers connected to this unit,
– make an analog or digital connection besides the
HDMI connection (see page 15).
– mute the volume of the connected video monitor.


The Onkyo 575 has been repalced by a newer model 576 , but hte 575 is very good still.

Onkyo will upconvert composite or s-video to component output. HDMI input is needed for HDMI output; there is no upconversion to HDMI.

The HDMI input will not play audio to the receiver it will only pass it through; does not appear to be full HDMI 1.3 compatible. If you want audio from the receiver you need separate connections to the AVR.

See page 27 of Onkyo manual

Step 1: Connect your HDMI-compatible TV to the AV receiver’s HDMI OUT jack.
Step 2: Connect your HDMI-compatible player to the AV receiver’s HDMI IN 1 or 2 jack.
Step 3: Connect your HDMI-compatible player to an analog and/or digital audio input on the AV
receiver.
✽ Audio and video signals received via the HDMI IN 1 and 2 jacks are output by the HDMI OUT jack as they
are (HDMI pass-through), so even if you only make the connections in steps 1 and 2, your TV will output
sound. However, if you want to listen through the speakers connected to the AV receiver, in addition to an
HDMI connection, you’ll also need to make a separate analog or digital audio connection.
Step 4: Assign the HDMI IN.
Turn on the AV receiver, and then assign the HDMI IN (see page 38)

===============

Bottom Line , it doesn't appear any of the receivers ( AVRS) you listed are fully HDMI 1.3 compatible.

You will need to run separate audio cables!


Having said that both the Yamaha and Onkyo are good, fairly low end receivers from reputable vendors. Any of your choices are good!

 

[optimusprine]

The Yamaha 463 adds the following over the Yamaha 363

YPAO (w/ Optimizer Microphone) - auto speaker setup, XM satellite and Siruis satellite ready, Neural surorund sound. 105w versus 100w. These aren't major unless you plan to use saltelite radio.

The HDMI processing on the Yamaha 363 form page 16 of thier manual states that it is video only. Some of the earlier HDMI specs 1.1 and 1.2 while othier original intent and original specificatiosn stated they would pass both video and audio via HDMI calbel actually only passed vidoe. HDMI 1.3 will pass both audio and video. I would surmise that the Yamaha 363 is either HDMI 1.1 or HDMI 1.2 compatible nad not hDMI 1.3 compatible.

From the manual:

Audio signals input at the HDMI jack are not output
from any speaker terminals but output from the
connected video monitor.
To enjoy the sound from speakers connected to this unit,
– make an analog or digital connection besides the
HDMI connection (see page 15).
– mute the volume of the connected video monitor.


The Onkyo 575 has been repalced by a newer model 576 , but hte 575 is very good still.

Onkyo will upconvert composite or s-video to component output. HDMI input is needed for HDMI output; there is no upconversion to HDMI.

The HDMI input will not play audio to the receiver it will only pass it through; does not appear to be full HDMI 1.3 compatible. If you want audio from the receiver you need separate connections to the AVR.

See page 27 of Onkyo manual

Step 1: Connect your HDMI-compatible TV to the AV receiver’s HDMI OUT jack.
Step 2: Connect your HDMI-compatible player to the AV receiver’s HDMI IN 1 or 2 jack.
Step 3: Connect your HDMI-compatible player to an analog and/or digital audio input on the AV
receiver.
✽ Audio and video signals received via the HDMI IN 1 and 2 jacks are output by the HDMI OUT jack as they
are (HDMI pass-through), so even if you only make the connections in steps 1 and 2, your TV will output
sound. However, if you want to listen through the speakers connected to the AV receiver, in addition to an
HDMI connection, you’ll also need to make a separate analog or digital audio connection.
Step 4: Assign the HDMI IN.
Turn on the AV receiver, and then assign the HDMI IN (see page 38)

===============

Bottom Line , it doens't appear any of the recieveres ( AVRS) you listed are fully HDMI 1.3 compatible.

You will need to run separate audio cables!


Having said that both the Yamaha and Onkyo are good, fairly low end receivers from reputable vendors. Any of your choices are good!

Oh, I see. I was just reading through the manuals myself and went to page 16 for the Yamaha receiver. So when it says "mute the volume of the connected video monitor" I would only need to press the mute button on the remote and sound would come out of the speakers connected to the receiver?
I just realized that I'm not even sure what it means to use a separate audio cable. What does that mean? This is from the Yamaha 363 manual.

Audio signals input at the HDMI jack are not output
from any speaker terminals but output from the
connected video monitor.
To enjoy the sound from speakers connected to this unit,
– make an analog or digital connection besides the
HDMI connection (see page 15).
– mute the volume of the connected video monitor.

Between which components do I make the analog/digital connection?

I also looked through the manual for the Yamaha 463 and couldn't find anything that would indicate that I need a separate cable for audio.
The Onkyo 576 states that it uses HDMI 1.3a so I suppose that it would use the least amount of cables and that I don't need to worry about making additional connections to get sound from the speakers connected to the receiver.

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR576&class=Receiver&p=i

I would really appreciate it if someone is patient enough to explain all this to me.

 

[Midcow2]

separate audio cables

these are just normal RCA cables ( cheaper ones are red(right) white(left) ).

Here is a picture: http://www.beachaudio.com/Cables-To-Go/17916-p-111526.html?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_content=reg&utm_term=17916&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=froogle&GTKW=17916&GCID=C12585x003

I wouldn't get the cheapest cables, nor would I get real expensive ones either.

I think it is saying to "mute" you TV speakers and let sound come through AVR speakers.

 

[Midcow2]

If Onkyo SR576 is in your price range it is the best bet!

Oh, I see. I was just reading through the manuals myself and went to page 16 for the Yamaha receiver. So when it says "mute the volume of the connected video monitor" I would only need to press the mute button on the remote and sound would come out of the speakers connected to the receiver?
I just realized that I'm not even sure what it means to use a separate audio cable. What does that mean? This is from the Yamaha 363 manual.

Audio signals input at the HDMI jack are not output
from any speaker terminals but output from the
connected video monitor.
To enjoy the sound from speakers connected to this unit,
– make an analog or digital connection besides the
HDMI connection (see page 15).
– mute the volume of the connected video monitor.

Between which components do I make the analog/digital connection?

I also looked through the manual for the Yamaha 463 and couldn't find anything that would indicate that I need a separate cable for audio.
The Onkyo 576 states that it uses HDMI 1.3a so I suppose that it would use the least amount of cables and that I don't need to worry about making additional connections to get sound from the speakers connected to the receiver.

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR576&class=Receiver&p=i

I would really appreciate it if someone is patient enough to explain all this to me.

If Onkyo SR576 is in your price range it is the best bet!

You can connect one HDMI cable from DVD to the Onkyo 576 AVR. Connect another HDMI cable from cable or satellite to Onkyo 576 AVR. Then connect another HDMI cable to the TV. No more cables ; just 3

Then connect your speakers to the Onkyo 576 AVR! HDMI1.3a will pass sound and audio and will not require separate RCA cables for the audio of EACH input componentVD, cable, satellite,etc.

 

[optimusprine]

Amazon sells the Onkyo 576 for $286. What about the Yamaha 463?

Thanks for your help so far.