will sony avr. up-convert to hd.

[brulaha]

I choose the Denon over the Sony for the following reasons:

Audyssey EQ as opposed to a proprietary EQ system.
Network functions, including firmware updates.
HDMI to HDMI scaling (Sony only allows scaling from analog inputs).
Built in HDCD filter.
GUI can overlay HDMI source inputs (I don't believe Sony can do this).

Actually the Onkyo 875 has much better scaling abilities due to it's HQV Renon chip. The reason I didn't choose it was:

Popping reported in speakers through the course of normal operation.
Runs very hot.
No GUI (it does have an on screen display, but it is the older varient, not graphically enhanced).
No network functions.
Can't scale HDMI to HDMI (Onkyo also only allows scalling from analog inputs)

Then of course there is the Yamaha 3800. Feature for feature it is the most comparable to the Denon. However it didn't allow firmware upgrades over ethernet connection and I was more familiar with Denon products.

That's my take on the receivers being discussed. I chose the Denon 3808 and couldn't be happier. You can read my review here: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38035

Bear in mind, all of these are great choices. You can't go wrong with any of them. They all have slightly different features. For example, the Onkyo 875 is Ultra THX 2 certified where the Denon is not. I really wanted some of the THX post processing options, but other features on the Denon were more important to me. There will be trade offs for all of them. Just choose the one that fits your needs the best.

 

[Hi Ho]

Since I started this I'll get my two bits in.Sony was first out of the gate with a real GUI.

Actually Yamaha was the first with a real graphically enhanced GUI on the RX-V2500.

I have experience with Sony receivers and I would not recommend them overall. They have not been terribly reliable. Their amp sections often leave much to be desired, especially on the lower end models. They don't have very good digital processors. Their user interface is not very good. Their remotes are not well designed (Denon remotes aren't either) and their cool looking GUI is anything but intuitive (this goes for their current generation TVs as well). To sum it up, there are better choices.

 

[bandphan]

anyone?elite 92? , the 94 is big bro on video steriods, but when the display can do it better it all becomes a moot point.

 

[PENG]

Looking at it's amp stats, it is rated at .09 THD, which isn't that great for this expensive of a product. However, I'm sure it's sufficient for most speakers. It's just not going to handle heavy loads as well.

I am not sure about the 5300ES but the 5200ES doesn't look too bad.

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=7086

Note that the THD figures were as good as or better than similarly priced receivers (0.01% at 130W, 0.002% at 50W fidelity firewall vs the 2807's 0.05% at 135W and 0.003% at 50W). Definitely better than my 3805 too. Anyway, I think we agree, they may not be the among the top picks, but don't deserve the constant put down either.

 

[brulaha]

anyone?elite 92? , the 94 is big bro on video steriods, but when the display can do it better it all becomes a moot point.

I haven't done much research into the Pioneer products. I'm sure they are very good as well, though I seem to remember reading they've had trouble with video processing. From an audio standpoint, I know they are very strong. I was bias towards the Denon from the outset. I was very pleased with my earlier Denon receiver and it was going to take a lot to get me to move to a different product line. However, I was going to go the Onkyo route until I read about consistent problems with speaker popping noises on AVS forum.

 

[bandphan]

I haven't done much research into the Pioneer products. I'm sure they are very good as well, though I seem to remember reading they've had trouble with video processing. From an audio standpoint, I know they are very strong. I was bias towards the Denon from the outset. I was very pleased with my earlier Denon receiver and it was going to take a lot to get me to move to a different product line. However, I was going to go the Onkyo route until I read about consistent problems with speaker popping noises on AVS forum.

checkem out. you might be plesantly suprised

 

[brulaha]

Already have my 3808. Had it for a little over a month now. Love it baby!

 

[bandphan]

Already have my 3808. Had it for a little over a month now. Love it baby!

enjoy the new toy

 

[Highbar]

Why do you need a receiver with a scaler in it? The tv's scaler is more then likely going to be better. I've seen both Sony LCD's and SXRD tv's with 480 signals and they look incredible. If you get a "decent" scaler in an avr then you are only going to be sending the tv a "decent" or worse signal and since it's already been scaled the tv wont bother with it. I'd rather let the tv with the better scaler do the work.
As for the Sony avr, I can't say I've ever had a problem with mine, and a friend has an old 885, I think it is, and works fine too. Notice I said Fine, the amp sections aren't great in them, and I wont ever use mine with my Digm's, tried it once and the sound was nowhere near what the Rotel gives me. When the local Best Buy had a Denon 1708 open box for $200 off, it took all of my might not to buy it.
Go for a good avr with the features you want, but I wouldn't suggest making the scaler the main feature, let the tv do that.

 

[marmyk1]

I was hopeing to upscale my 480 signals to 1080p throught a AVR,since I'm reserching to purchase one (AVR).after reading severall reviews on vidieo scalers the curant crop of populaer AVR's video performanse (scaling,deintrlacing) doesn't look so good. A video scaler (DVDO iscan VP30) & a AVR with 1080p passthrought would work good but my wife choped down my money tree.