Which receiver?

[ougrad02]

I am looking to purchase a new receiver for my ht system. My requirements are as follows:

-at least 2 hdmi inputs for audio and video, not just video passthrough
-ability to output something hooked up with component over hdmi to the tv
-price point at $500 or lower

I also have a question along these same lines. Is the picture degraded at all if converted from component input to hdmi output?

I was considering the onkyo 605 but was wondering what other items in this price range offer similar features.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[Gimpy Ric]

From what you listed, the Onkyo 605 is tops on my list, good receiver

 

[Seth=L]

I am looking to purchase a new receiver for my ht system. My requirements are as follows:

-at least 2 hdmi inputs for audio and video, not just video passthrough
-ability to output something hooked up with component over hdmi to the tv
-price point at $500 or lower

I also have a question along these same lines. Is the picture degraded at all if converted from component input to hdmi output?

I was considering the onkyo 605 but was wondering what other items in this price range offer similar features.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

No receiver I can think of offers these features at that price, other than the TX-SR605. The Harman Kardon AVR-247 might upconvert component to HDMI, but I am not sure.

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=87018

 

[Rico]

I'm also looking for one receiver at this same price range, max 500.

How about this one ?
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=88032

What y'all think ?

 

[Seth=L]

I'm also looking for one receiver at this same price range, max 500.

How about this one ?
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=88032

What y'all think ?

That receiver does not support audio or video processing over HDMI. The TX-SR605 and the H/K I mentioned are the only two receivers that I can think of that can do what the OP requires.

 

[Rico]

That receiver does not support audio or video processing over HDMI. The TX-SR605 and the H/K I mentioned are the only two receivers that I can think of that can do what the OP requires.

Thanks Seth. TX-SR605 will be

 

[HiDefGuru]

Best buy has their RX-V2700 for $500 in Magnolia, If you can find one... I think as of yesterday 1 in 4 Bestbuys (give or take a few) have their display models still... It's a damn steal

 

[mod]

HDMI by any other name?

I was interested in this thread because I'm now looking for a new receiver, etc. I have a Panasonic Plasma TH42PX75U and just received a Toshiba A30 HD DVD player. I've been using a JVC HTIB that's a few years old but thought I'd upgrade to something better that also has HDMI. My knowledge of audio/video is bare minimum so I've been researching and reading here and other places. This thread recommends the Onkyo 605. I had read about that and also the Onkyo 800, but don't they both have pass through HDMI? I've read some reviews from users who complain that they still have to buy/use audio cables with their hdmi cables when it's not real hdmi. So is pass through HDMI one of those "gotcha" things that manufacturers don't tell you about in advance or is it OK?

My budget is $500-$600. I was hoping to find a HTIB (w/o dvd player) that would be good with my equipment, but the more I read the more confused I get. The set up manual for the HD DVD player recommends connecting it directly to the TV and not going through any A/V devices. So I guess I would just need to connect the audio through a receiver to get the surround sound. I've looked at plenty of cabling diagrams so I'm sure it works somehow. Now to find the receiver and I guess then I'll try to learn about speakers. I'm worn out already.

 

[Rico]

Hey mod,

Well, you're not alone, not at all
The good thing is, read, this forum is full of good information.

I'm gonna try my first shot out of a HTiB. let's see what happens.
Speakers on its way, receiver & DVD are next.

 

[Seth=L]

I was interested in this thread because I'm now looking for a new receiver, etc. I have a Panasonic Plasma TH42PX75U and just received a Toshiba A30 HD DVD player. I've been using a JVC HTIB that's a few years old but thought I'd upgrade to something better that also has HDMI. My knowledge of audio/video is bare minimum so I've been researching and reading here and other places. This thread recommends the Onkyo 605. I had read about that and also the Onkyo 800, but don't they both have pass through HDMI? I've read some reviews from users who complain that they still have to buy/use audio cables with their hdmi cables when it's not real hdmi. So is pass through HDMI one of those "gotcha" things that manufacturers don't tell you about in advance or is it OK?

My budget is $500-$600. I was hoping to find a HTIB (w/o dvd player) that would be good with my equipment, but the more I read the more confused I get. The set up manual for the HD DVD player recommends connecting it directly to the TV and not going through any A/V devices. So I guess I would just need to connect the audio through a receiver to get the surround sound. I've looked at plenty of cabling diagrams so I'm sure it works somehow. Now to find the receiver and I guess then I'll try to learn about speakers. I'm worn out already.

Sorry you were so mis-informed.

The TX-SR605 processes new audio formats Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA over HDMI only. Also, the TX-SR605 can transcode all video inputs to HDMI output, for one simple connection to your display. The Onkyo also has a deinterlacer for 480p output over HDMI.

The TX-SR505 and TX-SR575 are the only two receivers (aside from Onkyo HTIaB receivers) that are HDMI pass-thru only in their latest slew of receivers. The TX-SR605 TX-SR705, TX-SR805, TX-SR875, and TX-NR905 can all decode the next generation audio formats over HDMI. The TX-SR875 and TX-NR905 offer Reon HQV scalers up to 1080p.

 

[rnatalli]

The 605 gets my vote as well.

 

[bans25]

Best buy has their RX-V2700 for $500 in Magnolia, If you can find one... I think as of yesterday 1 in 4 Bestbuys (give or take a few) have their display models still... It's a damn steal

HiDefGuru.. can you PM me?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No receiver I can think of offers these features at that price, other than the TX-SR605. The Harman Kardon AVR-247 might upconvert component to HDMI, but I am not sure.

Yes, the HK247 upconverts and UPSCALES to 720p. There is not a single receiver out there that upconverts and upscale to 720p for that little price. And the HK sounds fantastic! I wish HK would add TrueHD & DTS-MA to their receivers. Then I would recommend HK all the way!

I say that if you are not interested in TrueHD or DTS-MA, I would get the HK AVR-247.

 

[gus6464]

Yes, the HK247 upconverts and UPSCALES to 720p. There is not a single receiver out there that upconverts and upscale to 720p for that little price. And the HK sounds fantastic! I wish HK would add TrueHD & DTS-MA to their receivers. Then I would recommend HK all the way!

I say that if you are not interested in TrueHD or DTS-MA, I would get the HK AVR-247.

AVR-247 is on sale this week at BB for $449. Pretty good price IMO. I would like to throw in the Yamaha RX-V661 in the mix as well. It won't do hdmi video upconversion but it can do MPCM.

 

[Seth=L]

IMO, the H/K looks pretty sweet. At under $500 it has LPCM decoding, trascoding to HDMI, upscaling (not an important feature), an auto setup program, and weighs a hefty 30 pounds. This probably puts it into the same power class as the Pioneer VSX-1017, only the H/K can do so much more with HDMI, where the Pioneer is pass-thru only. The H/K AVR-247 also has preouts, just in case you need to add power.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4157160&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.HK+AVR247

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

IMO, the H/K looks pretty sweet. At under $500 it has LPCM decoding, trascoding to HDMI, upscaling (not an important feature), an auto setup program, and weighs a hefty 30 pounds. This probably puts it into the same power class as the Pioneer VSX-1017, only the H/K can do so much more with HDMI, where the Pioneer is pass-thru only. The H/K AVR-247 also has preouts, just in case you need to add power.

I enjoyed the HK247 for 3 months before selling it very cheaply to my brother.
Yes, true honest power, 2 HDMI 1.1 inputs, transcoding, upscale, 5.1 Analog input and 5.1 Analog output to external amps so if your HD player can internally decode DTS-MA & TrueHD, you are all set. The sound clarity was what surprised me. I would dare say that even when compared to components (separates or receivers) costing $4,000, the difference in audio quality will be relatively insignificant.

Personally experience, I would say that the auto-setup for the speaker levels and types are pretty accurate with the HK247, but I would turn the Room Acoustic EQ to OFF.

 

[s52e368]

what about the new Denon AVR-588 can anyone speak on its behalf ?

 

[Seth=L]

what about the new Denon AVR-588 can anyone speak on its behalf ?

It does not process audio over HDMI, it only does pass-thru. It also lacks preouts like the H/K AVR-247, and IMO, it's very cheesy and ugly looking.

 

[aberkowitz]

IMO, the H/K looks pretty sweet. At under $500 it has LPCM decoding, trascoding to HDMI, upscaling (not an important feature), an auto setup program, and weighs a hefty 30 pounds. This probably puts it into the same power class as the Pioneer VSX-1017, only the H/K can do so much more with HDMI, where the Pioneer is pass-thru only. The H/K AVR-247 also has preouts, just in case you need to add power.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4157160&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.HK+AVR247

Isn't the AVR-247 pretty weak power-wise in comparison to the Onkyo 605 and the Yamaha 661? It only puts out 50 W per channel compared to 90 for the other two.