Yamaha 2600 vs. 2500 in my setup?

[gregmac`]

I'm working on a new home theater setup. For a receiver, I'm considering either the Yamaha 2500 or 2600.

Here's my question - I'm planning on using a Panaxonic AE900 projector which, as I understand it, does a decent job of upconverting images on its own - so, does that feature of the 2600 help me really?

I do want to switch everything through the receiver, for simplicity, so am I sacrificing with the 2500 by not having HDMI, and just using component?

Thanks for your help. Greg

 

[gellor]

I can't find the AE900 on panny's website. Does it have an HDMI interface?

A lot of this answer depends on your current components and your plans for upgrading. Do you plan on purchasing and using an XBox 360 or Playstation 3 on your system? Do you plan on purchasing one of the new high definition players when they come out?

For my purposes, I just bout the 2500 because to me, there wasn't enough of a benefit to spending the extra $500 for HDMI conversion.

I would recommend getting the 2500 and investing the extra in speakers or something else, then down the road purchasing an HDMI switcher if your video sources warrant it.

 

[Doug917]

In my experience of owning an InFocus 4805 projector, a few steps down from yours, the deinterlacing of the projector has put the deinterlacing of the components to shame. If you were looking into upconversion in somthing like an Anthem AVM30 ($1500 for the HDMI feature set) I would say the processor would best the projector, but in something priced as the 2600 is I doubt it would better what's in the projector. Save the money and go for the 2500.

 

[gregmac`]

Gellor, the projector is the one featured on the audioholics home page - sorry, I didn't use the full model number. It does have an HDMI interface, but, I want to switch everything thru the receiver. So, I guess part of what I am trying to understand is how much I give up with a component connection from the Yamaha 2500 to the projector. Greg

 

[qnetjoe]

What about the install?

The questions you have to ask your self how are:

1. Total Cost - a 2500's cost about 800 on clearance and 2600 costs about 1100. Also keep in mind that running three coaxs (putting your own rca ends on) for component video only costs $40 compared to prefab hdmi cost over 100 and hdmi cat5 solutions costing about $80

2. Connectivity - what devices are you hooking up or plan to hook up. Do any have hdmi/dvi? what about HDCP?

Coming from the install side of things I would say save the money go with the 2500. It all depends on what you are trying to do, tell us more

 

[jcPanny]

If you want to run a single HDMI cable to the projector, then you will need the 2600 (it will convert all video formats to HDMI). If you don't mind running HDMI and component or only component, they the 2500 will work well. Like others suggested, the video upconversion to 720P in the projector is probably better than the receiver.

 

[mnnc]

The questions you have to ask your self how are:

1. Total Cost - a 2500's cost about 800 on clearance and 2600 costs about 1100. Also keep in mind that running three coaxs (putting your own rca ends on) for component video only costs $40 compared to prefab hdmi cost over 100 and hdmi cat5 solutions costing about $80

2. Connectivity - what devices are you hooking up or plan to hook up. Do any have hdmi/dvi? what about HDCP?

Coming from the install side of things I would say save the money go with the 2500. It all depends on what you are trying to do, tell us more

...remember you can buy a converter cable. hdmi/dvi to component or vice versa. I would consider the 2600 strongly due to the fact that upon reviews it's transformer/power supply is beefier and you get the hdmi not to mention xm radio capable for only $300 difference!? If you have the extra cash then get the 2600. My 2500 suits me just fine but I have had it for 10 months. Well before the newer models arrived. BTW...you can get a 2500 for quite a bit less than $800. Now it becomes a matter of how much a difference in price between the two units. This could become tricky. Many are happy with their 2500's including me...the 2600 is all that and more. Good luck.

 

[jcPanny]

Product of the Year

The 2600 got product of the year and the info. implied that Audioholics is currently working on the review.