Why do receivers only have 2 or 3 component video inputs?

[bcardellini]

I want to send video to my new HDTV, but I can't find a receiver under $1000 that will let me switch between 4 component video sources. Why is this? I must be missing something.

I want to, with one button push, choose video from either Cable, DVD, PS2, or my computer, and I want the sound coming out of my speakers to switch accordingly. Is this an exotic setup? Does this require a $4000 receiver?

Component video connections are the obvious choice for my DVD player and HD Cable box. I want to use the DVI out from my computer because I can't seem to get a sharp picture with S-video, and I'm thinking that once I have a DVI-to-component cable connection instead of s-video, I will be able to choose a mode like 1080i, instead of choosing 1280x1024 or 1024x768. I also just learned that somehow Gran Turismo 4 will be able to send a 1080i signal from my playstation2 for better graphics.

So what am I missing? Shouldn't I be able to switch between 4 high quality video-audio pairs with the push of a button for under $700?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[MDS]

So what am I missing? Shouldn't I be able to switch between 4 high quality video-audio pairs with the push of a button for under $700?

Yes you should be able to and likewise you should be able to switch between 3 or 4 DVI or HDMI inputs as well. The industry will get there eventually.

All manufacturers build for the lowest common denominator - except for the Flagship, uber-expensive models. There are still lots of devices that only have composite and s-video connections, so in order to be useable for those devices, they still include lots of composite and s-video inputs. It used to be that most receivers only had two component inputs, now most have three. Maybe in the future they will have four or more or they will go away in favor of HDMI. It all depends on how soon the average consumer switches to devices with those outputs.

You could ask the same thing about TVs. Why do they include speakers when you would think that people spending $3-4K or more for a TV would certainly want to connect it to a real stereo system. The simple reason is that there are way too many people that don't even have a basic HT setup, and if the TV didn't have speakers they would sell far fewer of them.

 

[armaraas]

Have you checked the Marantz line of receivers? The 7500 has 4 component inputs, and MSRP is $1099, so I would think you should be able to get it for under $1000 if you can get a deal somewhere.
http://us.marantz.com/shop/_templates/Proddetail.asp?model=24&cat=15

Also, the 8500 has DVI switching, 2 inputs. If you want that however you will have to go well over $1000. I've heard a lot of good things about these receivers, so they might be worth checking out.