Cheaper solution than a new HDMI A/V Receiver - Blu-ray Forum

Iceman_II · 01-09-2007, 04:48 PM

There is a thread just started about the Sherwood, granted, it is a nice piece of equipment, but personally, I have a hard time upgrading what I think it a pretty darned good DTS reciever, just to get HDMI... So i wanted to start a thread about what I used for a solution.

Octava makes a WONDERFUL piece of equipment (check the link) which does automatic switching of HDMI AND TosLink. I have the PS3, the standard upscaling DVD, and the Satalite HDDVR going into the switch with both HDMI for Video, and TosLink for Audio. I then have the HDMI going to the TV, with the TosLink routed to my existing receiver.

It works like a champ, whenever I turn on the PS3 or the DVD, it AUTOMATICLY switches the output feeds to that component... when I turn those components off, it AUTOMATLY switches back to the active feed (I always keep the DVR active) The logic circuits presume that if you turn on a piece of equipment, you must want to watch it, and if you turn it off, you must want to watch something else.

This switching works seemlessly and requires NO changes on the reciever or the TV... talk about no brainer... hell, even your GF could figure this puppy out.

For $279, or $299 with 4 HDMI cables, one of the best additions I made to the system (well, second best compared to the PS3

)

dobyblue · 01-09-2007, 04:50 PM

Good solution, but that thread is about ALL new receivers announced at CES, not just about the Sherwood.

Iceman_II · 01-09-2007, 05:00 PM

My bad, I tried to change the subject of the thread, but it only let me change the subject of my post

Marwin · 01-09-2007, 07:50 PM

I've changed the thread title to "Cheaper solution than a new HDMI A/V Receiver"

Casey · 01-10-2007, 04:27 PM

now if only they would make an hdmi switcher that has multi-channel analog audio outs. that would solve all my problems

Amon37 · 01-17-2007, 08:03 PM

But with no HDMI out to the reciever(only optical out) you missing out on sound quality from PS3 games and BD movies correct?

Iceman_II · 01-17-2007, 08:58 PM

Nope, I still get DTS etc. the only thing I don't get is 7.1... and I struggle to believe that its worth the premium - besides, there aren't a lot of titles yet mastered in 7.1

theknub · 01-17-2007, 10:02 PM

iceman, as is my understanding, you are only getting the sound core at a higher rate than what the full encode is at. to process this, you need hdmi to transmit the pcm signal decoded in the player to ur receiver, hdmi 1.3 to transmit lossles audio to a receiver (doesn't exist yet), or analog outs on the player to a receiver.

someone correct me if i'm wrong...

ckelly79 · 01-19-2007, 07:02 AM

I picked up a JVC RX-D412 a/v reciever last week from amazon.com for $350 shipped. Has 2 hdmi inputs, 1 out; 2 component inputs, 1 out; 3 digital audio inputs and a bunch of analog inputs. Also has a usb input for connecting a computer and playing files through the reciever. The reciever does hdmi switching, not pass thru, so it decodes the audio and sends the video to the tv. It also upconverts all other inputs to hdmi out so you only have 1 hdmi cable running to the tv, and any 480i signals will be upconverted to 480p. Only drawbacks so far is it gets pretty hot and it was a pain in my ass to set up. But, it seems to do all the features of a $800 reciever for $350 so I'm pretty happy in all.

Iceman_II · 01-19-2007, 01:13 PM

Ahhh.... there is exactly the problem with damn near all A/V receivers... only 2 HDMI inputs... I ran into the same problem with my Yamaha, except with component inputs/outputs... two is fine for average folks, but if you have a relatively complex system, 2 just doesn't cut it. That played a big part in why I used the solution I talked about in the first post (I currently have have 3 HDMI inputs... and I may bump it to 4 in the next couple of months)

Casey · 01-19-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckelly79

I picked up a JVC RX-D412 a/v reciever last week from amazon.com for $350 shipped. Has 2 hdmi inputs, 1 out; 2 component inputs, 1 out; 3 digital audio inputs and a bunch of analog inputs. Also has a usb input for connecting a computer and playing files through the reciever. The reciever does hdmi switching, not pass thru, so it decodes the audio and sends the video to the tv. It also upconverts all other inputs to hdmi out so you only have 1 hdmi cable running to the tv, and any 480i signals will be upconverted to 480p. Only drawbacks so far is it gets pretty hot and it was a pain in my ass to set up. But, it seems to do all the features of a $800 reciever for $350 so I'm pretty happy in all.

Would that receiver be able to decode the lossless audio formats sent by the PS3 over HDMI? How about SACDs? If so I might be picking one up.

ckelly79 · 01-19-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

Would that receiver be able to decode the lossless audio formats sent by the PS3 over HDMI? How about SACDs? If so I might be picking one up.

Yes, and I think so, but I'm not sure. I'll have to check when I get home.

ckelly79 · 01-19-2007, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman_II

Ahhh.... there is exactly the problem with damn near all A/V receivers... only 2 HDMI inputs... I ran into the same problem with my Yamaha, except with component inputs/outputs... two is fine for average folks, but if you have a relatively complex system, 2 just doesn't cut it. That played a big part in why I used the solution I talked about in the first post (I currently have have 3 HDMI inputs... and I may bump it to 4 in the next couple of months)

Yea, I was looking at another reciever that only had 1 hdmi input and I couldn't do that. The 2 works because I have 2 on my tv, so I essentially have 3.

DavePS3 · 01-19-2007, 04:54 PM

PureLink has the best HDMI switchers I've tried. Fast, dead solid. Switching takes .75 of a second and once it's locked, it stays there. No fluttering, no drop-outs. Excellent piece.

GTP · 01-25-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

Would that receiver be able to decode the lossless audio formats sent by the PS3 over HDMI? How about SACDs? If so I might be picking one up.

I picked up an Onkyo 604 for under 400.00 on sale at CC.

It does 1080p and 5.1 multi channel PCM via hdmi...and also sa-cd from the PS3.
You can simulate more channels from PCM using all channel stereo for instance....as it is a 7.1 receiver.
1 hdmi in, 2 out.

i want HD movies · 01-31-2007, 04:07 AM

dont forget that receivers are more than just their inputs and outputs and price levels. $800 receivers offer better sound, not just louder. If I remember correctly you must quadruple the watts to double the volue. going from 80 to 130 jut increases the detail you get out of your music etc. Also the quality of the processors will make a big difference.

Look at the distortion levels in your respective receivers. to get good sound they should be under .20% THD 20Hz-20kHz. Better Denon's have .05%. Macintosh amps have .005% just for a point of reference. If it says something like 0.5% THD 1kHz that means that the distortion is much greater acroos the full spectrum as the 0.5% only refers to a test tone of 1kHz not the full audio spectrum (20-20000Hz). The JVC discussed, for example, has 0.8% distortion at 1kHz. This is the trade off for HDMI.

Having DTSHD on a low quality amp will sound worse than DTS on a high quality amp. Just wanted to remind you to keep that in mind. A Denon 1907 with fiber will sound better than most with HDMI.

For most consumers I would reccommend using component for their sattelite or cable sources(always for cable as the cable boxes just suck @#$!!! lol) along with fiber or digital coax. Then use HDMI for your upconvert/ blu-ray or your PS3 and upconvert seperates. For most this solves the 'more than three hdmi source problem.'

01-09-2007, 04:48 PM	#1
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Cheaper solution than a new HDMI A/V Receiver There is a thread just started about the Sherwood, granted, it is a nice piece of equipment, but personally, I have a hard time upgrading what I think it a pretty darned good DTS reciever, just to get HDMI... So i wanted to start a thread about what I used for a solution. Octava makes a WONDERFUL piece of equipment (check the link) which does automatic switching of HDMI AND TosLink. I have the PS3, the standard upscaling DVD, and the Satalite HDDVR going into the switch with both HDMI for Video, and TosLink for Audio. I then have the HDMI going to the TV, with the TosLink routed to my existing receiver. It works like a champ, whenever I turn on the PS3 or the DVD, it AUTOMATICLY switches the output feeds to that component... when I turn those components off, it AUTOMATLY switches back to the active feed (I always keep the DVR active) The logic circuits presume that if you turn on a piece of equipment, you must want to watch it, and if you turn it off, you must want to watch something else. This switching works seemlessly and requires NO changes on the reciever or the TV... talk about no brainer... hell, even your GF could figure this puppy out. For $279, or $299 with 4 HDMI cables, one of the best additions I made to the system (well, second best compared to the PS3 ) Last edited by Iceman_II; 01-09-2007 at 04:59 PM.

01-19-2007, 07:02 AM	#9
ckelly79 Member Member since:Dec 2006	Cheap hdmi reciever... I picked up a JVC RX-D412 a/v reciever last week from amazon.com for $350 shipped. Has 2 hdmi inputs, 1 out; 2 component inputs, 1 out; 3 digital audio inputs and a bunch of analog inputs. Also has a usb input for connecting a computer and playing files through the reciever. The reciever does hdmi switching, not pass thru, so it decodes the audio and sends the video to the tv. It also upconverts all other inputs to hdmi out so you only have 1 hdmi cable running to the tv, and any 480i signals will be upconverted to 480p. Only drawbacks so far is it gets pretty hot and it was a pain in my ass to set up. But, it seems to do all the features of a $800 reciever for $350 so I'm pretty happy in all.

01-31-2007, 04:07 AM	#16
i want HD movies Member Member since:Dec 2006	dont forget that receivers are more than just their inputs and outputs and price levels. $800 receivers offer better sound, not just louder. If I remember correctly you must quadruple the watts to double the volue. going from 80 to 130 jut increases the detail you get out of your music etc. Also the quality of the processors will make a big difference. Look at the distortion levels in your respective receivers. to get good sound they should be under .20% THD 20Hz-20kHz. Better Denon's have .05%. Macintosh amps have .005% just for a point of reference. If it says something like 0.5% THD 1kHz that means that the distortion is much greater acroos the full spectrum as the 0.5% only refers to a test tone of 1kHz not the full audio spectrum (20-20000Hz). The JVC discussed, for example, has 0.8% distortion at 1kHz. This is the trade off for HDMI. Having DTSHD on a low quality amp will sound worse than DTS on a high quality amp. Just wanted to remind you to keep that in mind. A Denon 1907 with fiber will sound better than most with HDMI. For most consumers I would reccommend using component for their sattelite or cable sources(always for cable as the cable boxes just suck @#$!!! lol) along with fiber or digital coax. Then use HDMI for your upconvert/ blu-ray or your PS3 and upconvert seperates. For most this solves the 'more than three hdmi source problem.' Last edited by i want HD movies; 01-31-2007 at 04:23 AM.

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01-09-2007, 04:50 PM	#2
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	Good solution, but that thread is about ALL new receivers announced at CES, not just about the Sherwood.

01-09-2007, 05:00 PM	#3
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	My bad, I tried to change the subject of the thread, but it only let me change the subject of my post

01-09-2007, 07:50 PM	#4
Marwin Developer Top contributor Member since:May 2003 Blu-ray collection:10 DVD collection:5 iTunes collection:1	I've changed the thread title to "Cheaper solution than a new HDMI A/V Receiver"

01-10-2007, 04:27 PM	#5
Casey Special Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2006 Location:St. Louis, MO 4K collection:148 Blu-ray collection:497 DVD collection:11 Digital collection:269 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:113	now if only they would make an hdmi switcher that has multi-channel analog audio outs. that would solve all my problems

01-17-2007, 08:03 PM	#6
Amon37 Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:USA,Arizona PSNetwork: Amon37	But with no HDMI out to the reciever(only optical out) you missing out on sound quality from PS3 games and BD movies correct?

01-17-2007, 08:58 PM	#7
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Nope, I still get DTS etc. the only thing I don't get is 7.1... and I struggle to believe that its worth the premium - besides, there aren't a lot of titles yet mastered in 7.1

01-17-2007, 10:02 PM	#8
theknub Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2006	iceman, as is my understanding, you are only getting the sound core at a higher rate than what the full encode is at. to process this, you need hdmi to transmit the pcm signal decoded in the player to ur receiver, hdmi 1.3 to transmit lossles audio to a receiver (doesn't exist yet), or analog outs on the player to a receiver. someone correct me if i'm wrong...

01-19-2007, 01:13 PM	#10
Iceman_II Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Ft. Worth Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray collection:308 Blu-ray reviews: 4	Ahhh.... there is exactly the problem with damn near all A/V receivers... only 2 HDMI inputs... I ran into the same problem with my Yamaha, except with component inputs/outputs... two is fine for average folks, but if you have a relatively complex system, 2 just doesn't cut it. That played a big part in why I used the solution I talked about in the first post (I currently have have 3 HDMI inputs... and I may bump it to 4 in the next couple of months)

01-19-2007, 04:54 PM	#14
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	PureLink has the best HDMI switchers I've tried. Fast, dead solid. Switching takes .75 of a second and once it's locked, it stays there. No fluttering, no drop-outs. Excellent piece.

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