Why do i need a receiver? - Blu-ray Forum

Kieran · 11-07-2008, 05:50 PM

I have just got a BR player and i have a 5.1 surround system which is simply a subwoofer with the 5 speakers. The sub goes into the mains and that is it. It can do DTS. Could someone please clarify the role of the receiver?

I want to get the best set up.

Driver_King · 11-07-2008, 05:53 PM

An AVR is for audio and video.

Pelican170 · 11-07-2008, 05:53 PM

a receiver does many things. but mainly decodes/works audio formats and powers speakers and handles video. Im sure someone can give a more in depth description, im at work so.... what is powering your speakers?

Kieran · 11-07-2008, 05:56 PM

My speakers are pluuged into my sub, which goes into mains. So the sub has everything connected to it. Its a few years old but i am looking to upgrade and i am really confused with the whole receiver thing.

jomari · 11-07-2008, 05:56 PM

it also serves as the heart of the system. you have the receiver accept all the signals, both audio and video, from each source, and use them as an 'access' point so to speak, for your complete experience.

it primarily serves as
1. a tuner (AM/FM radio, XM/Sirius et al)
2. pre/pro that controls the flow of inputs
3. a multichannel amplifier

whats your parameters to acheive 'the best set up'?
1. price range for each component: speakers, reciever, acoustics et al
2. room dimensions
3. is it a dedicated room? or a 'living room' so to speak?
4. current setup

the more precise you can get, the better the answers we can offer.

SkullPhyre · 11-07-2008, 05:57 PM

You need a receiver to decode dolby tru hd,dts-ma and all the other sound formats. A receiver will give you the ability to turn things up louder depending on the wattage. You also can use it as a switcher to hook up your br player, game consoles, dvd player, record player, and have one hdmi cable going to your tv. You will also get better sound quality.

Pelican170 · 11-07-2008, 06:00 PM

also, a receiver can do radio, and has alot of other functions to help make your setup sound better... Calibration settings, Decible increases/decreases, speaker distance and other configurations, then you can have options for pure audio, direct, and the other DSP settings (theater, hall, orchestra, stadium....)

NovaBomb · 11-07-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran

I have just got a BR player and i have a 5.1 surround system which is simply a subwoofer with the 5 speakers. The sub goes into the mains and that is it. It can do DTS. Could someone please clarify the role of the receiver?

I want to get the best set up.

What kind of jacks goes into that sub of yours??

ghebert · 11-07-2008, 06:09 PM

Here's the main differences between your current setup and a setup including a receiver.

Your setup runs all your speakers on your sub's built-in amp. A receiver dedicates 1 amp per channel.

Your setup probably cannot process any video only audio. A receiver can let you connect multiple high def video sources so that you can have one connection to your tv instead of many.

Your setup is probably very poor in sound quality (no offense) compared to the dynamic sound you would get from a receiver (good brands are yamaha, denon and onkyo) along with a decent set of speakers.

Your setup cannot decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, most new receivers can.

Hope this helps.

11-07-2008, 05:50 PM	#1
Kieran Active Member Member since:Jun 2008	Why do i need a receiver? I have just got a BR player and i have a 5.1 surround system which is simply a subwoofer with the 5 speakers. The sub goes into the mains and that is it. It can do DTS. Could someone please clarify the role of the receiver? I want to get the best set up.

11-07-2008, 05:56 PM	#5
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	it also serves as the heart of the system. you have the receiver accept all the signals, both audio and video, from each source, and use them as an 'access' point so to speak, for your complete experience. it primarily serves as 1. a tuner (AM/FM radio, XM/Sirius et al) 2. pre/pro that controls the flow of inputs 3. a multichannel amplifier whats your parameters to acheive 'the best set up'? 1. price range for each component: speakers, reciever, acoustics et al 2. room dimensions 3. is it a dedicated room? or a 'living room' so to speak? 4. current setup the more precise you can get, the better the answers we can offer. Last edited by jomari; 11-07-2008 at 06:01 PM.

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11-07-2008, 05:53 PM	#2
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	An AVR is for audio and video.

11-07-2008, 05:53 PM	#3
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:127 Blu-ray collection:735 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	a receiver does many things. but mainly decodes/works audio formats and powers speakers and handles video. Im sure someone can give a more in depth description, im at work so.... what is powering your speakers?

11-07-2008, 05:57 PM	#6
SkullPhyre Senior Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Portland, Oregon Blu-ray collection:184	You need a receiver to decode dolby tru hd,dts-ma and all the other sound formats. A receiver will give you the ability to turn things up louder depending on the wattage. You also can use it as a switcher to hook up your br player, game consoles, dvd player, record player, and have one hdmi cable going to your tv. You will also get better sound quality.

11-07-2008, 06:00 PM	#7
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:127 Blu-ray collection:735 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	also, a receiver can do radio, and has alot of other functions to help make your setup sound better... Calibration settings, Decible increases/decreases, speaker distance and other configurations, then you can have options for pure audio, direct, and the other DSP settings (theater, hall, orchestra, stadium....)

11-07-2008, 06:09 PM	#9
ghebert Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 4K collection:299 Blu-ray collection:616 Blu-ray reviews: 2	Here's the main differences between your current setup and a setup including a receiver. Your setup runs all your speakers on your sub's built-in amp. A receiver dedicates 1 amp per channel. Your setup probably cannot process any video only audio. A receiver can let you connect multiple high def video sources so that you can have one connection to your tv instead of many. Your setup is probably very poor in sound quality (no offense) compared to the dynamic sound you would get from a receiver (good brands are yamaha, denon and onkyo) along with a decent set of speakers. Your setup cannot decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, most new receivers can. Hope this helps.

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