Upgrade from Onkyo 805 to 875, or ... 605?

[JaysDomain]

I currently have an Onkyo 805 which has been great, except for a few issues (minor rare audio sync lag, 4 sec audio delay); overall I am very happy with it.
I have the opportunity to get back 100% what I paid for the 805 ($700) if I want to, so...

I was wondering if I upgrade to the 875 ($1000 or $300 more) for the Reon chip, will I really notice a difference in DirecTV PQ for SD or HD sources (HDMI), and component sources (Wii & xbox 360); is it worth it to upgrade, and can the Reon upscale be disabled for HDMI/1080p sources?

On the other hand I was thinking maybe I should just downgrade to the 605 for ($400 or $300 less/back) and use it until the new 2008 receivers come out and the audio delay/lag issues are fixed (and the menus are better). What will I be missing in doing this? 5.1 -> 7.1 audio conversion? (I only use 2 HDMI in until next year anyway; PS3 and DirecTV HR20)

I have a Samsung 5084 1080p plasma (1 HDMI from the receiver); PQ is currently excellent for Blu-ray & most unconverted DVD's, excellent to pretty good for most DirecTV HD, and good to ok for DirecTV SD (some content better than others).

I appreciate any thoughts on the subject.

[richterbon23]

the 705 is awesome, that is what i just got... a great piece of equipment, no audio lag so far

[JaysDomain]

Originally Posted by richterbon23

the 705 is awesome, that is what i just got... a great piece of equipment, no audio lag so far

Yeah I agree (except for the audio lag part since it seems to be more the source/HDMI combination and not just the receiver so much), I almost purchased the 705 instead of the 805; but I would not exchange the 805 for the 705 now since there is very little savings to be made by doing this to make it worth it.

Are you saying you do not get the lip-sync issue (which I rarely get and is not really an issue) or are you saying you do not get the audio drop-out when alterting the source (pause/instant reply/skip/channel change/etc); do you have a HR20 and is your audio coming from the HDMI?

[Pinto]

I also have the Samung 5084 plasma along with the Onkyo 605 and the infamous Samsung BD-P 1200 blu ray player. On some blu ray movies (Fantastic 4 Silver Surfer for one example) the lip synch is really off. The 605 has a feature that allows you to set up to 100 milliseconds audio delay but even that isn't enough to handle the lip synch for a number of blu ray movies. I ended up setting up a separate toslink connection between player and receiver with a Felston Digital Audio Delay in between them, and I use it instead of the hdmi connection as needed. I'm hoping future receivers/players/TVs can synch up the audio and video better. Some people are more sensitive to it than others - it drives me crazy.

The 605 does have the audio drop-out you mention.

By the way, love my 5084 - fantastic picture quality.

[Zaphod]

Is this audio sync issue hit and miss with the 805's? I have an 805 and have no audio sync problems.

[JaysDomain]

I've never had any audio sync issues with blu-ray or dvd from the PS3, only with a few channels/shows on DirecTV, so I guess I am lucky there.
As for the delay when I use skip/instant replay (which is the only thing that really annoys me), I have adjusted to just give it an extra press to go back another few seconds, still pretty annoying though with the money this HDMI technology change costs.

Yes the 5084 is Amazing for the price and easily tweaked to make the PQ near perfect (removing noise and banding), though the build quality is lacking so I am considering exchanging it for a Panny (I got the crooked stand and screen/picture too far to the right, the latter seems to effect all of the 5084 models which sucks); it took a lot of research and viewing before I picked the Samsung, so that all may just go out the window. I may try an exchange for another 5084 first though, I haven’t decided yet.

[dialog_gvf]

I just got an 875, and so far I am THRILLED.

Setup is a breeze (the OSD is great). The Audyssey auto-setup is a joy! I've always wanted one that allowed for multiple seating positions.

I'm very impressed with the jack-pack layout. They used the big case to our advantage.

The Reon chip is one similar as in the XA2, and will upscale DVD to the same quality (pretty much the best possible). It will upscale EVERYTHING less than 1080p to 1080p. Interestingly, my Pioneer 5010FD is reporting it is pushing 30-bit colour to the set!

So film 1080i (DTheater) or video 1080i (cable/sat/OTA) get's de-interlaced PROPERLY to 1080p. That seems worth the price of admission right there.

Gary

[wisper9999]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I just got an 875, and so far I am THRILLED.

Setup is a breeze (the OCD is great). The Audyssey auto-setup is a joy! I've always wanted one that allowed for multiple seating positions.

I'm very impressed with the jack-pack layout. They used the big case to our advantage.

The Reon chip is one similar as in the XA2, and will upscale DVD to the same quality (pretty much the best possible). It will upscale EVERYTHING less than 1080p to 1080p. Interestingly, my Pioneer 5010FD is reporting it is pushing 30-bit colour to the set!

So film 1080i (DTheater) or video 1080i (cable/sat/OTA) get's de-interlaced PROPERLY to 1080p. That seems worth the price of admission right there.

Gary

OK I'm jealous. 605 here. No updates till Christmas in my house.

[blujacket]

I would wait for the new models coming out in the summer.

[ryoohki]

Going to the 805 will also give you Audyssey Multi XT processing. The 605 only have Audyssey 2Q witch is a 10 point system compared to the Multi XT witch is a 100-150 point system ... (when you do the auto calib)

[aqupunk]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I just got an 875, and so far I am THRILLED.

Setup is a breeze (the OSD is great). The Audyssey auto-setup is a joy! I've always wanted one that allowed for multiple seating positions.

I'm very impressed with the jack-pack layout. They used the big case to our advantage.

The Reon chip is one similar as in the XA2, and will upscale DVD to the same quality (pretty much the best possible). It will upscale EVERYTHING less than 1080p to 1080p. Interestingly, my Pioneer 5010FD is reporting it is pushing 30-bit colour to the set!

So film 1080i (DTheater) or video 1080i (cable/sat/OTA) get's de-interlaced PROPERLY to 1080p. That seems worth the price of admission right there.

Gary

Is the upscaling something that can only be done when sources other than hdmi are connected or can a cable box connected hdmi still upscale the various resolutions all to 1080p?

[JaysDomain]

Originally Posted by blujacket

I would wait for the new models coming out in the summer.

Yeah, thats ultimately what I want to do, but I figured if I upgrade to the 875 for a few hundy extra now, I can get the 2008's later in the year or in early 2009 for much cheaper, plus avoid firmware issues.

[JaysDomain]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

I just got an 875, and so far I am THRILLED.

Setup is a breeze (the OSD is great). The Audyssey auto-setup is a joy! I've always wanted one that allowed for multiple seating positions.

I'm very impressed with the jack-pack layout. They used the big case to our advantage.

The Reon chip is one similar as in the XA2, and will upscale DVD to the same quality (pretty much the best possible). It will upscale EVERYTHING less than 1080p to 1080p. Interestingly, my Pioneer 5010FD is reporting it is pushing 30-bit colour to the set!

So film 1080i (DTheater) or video 1080i (cable/sat/OTA) get's de-interlaced PROPERLY to 1080p. That seems worth the price of admission right there.

Gary

I think the 1080p Upscale (w/ Reon chip) and extra HDMI port is the only advantage over my 805 (besides a few watts output), but from what you are saying its well worth the few hundred extra for the 1080p upscale?

What do you have, Satellite or cable, and how much better is the standard and high Def programming running through it, any picture defects from it?
Is there any video adjustments that can be made, picture or picture per input, any video features at all?
I really like my 805 but if the 875 will make my DirecTV look even better, I’m all for it.

[Sylin]

Out of curiosity, have you considered either the Denon 2808 or the Sony 3300? I hear both are great.

Personally, I've got an 804 and have had some annoyances with it as well (cannot accept a 1080p signal from the PS3 is #1 on my WTF-o-Meter... it's a known issue). It also doesn't have HDMI 1.3, so I'm definitely going to upgrade soon. I'm looking at either the Sony 5300 or there's a new Pioneer coming out this June that's supposed to rival the Onkyo 875 for just $600.

[Blu-junkie]

Originally Posted by richterbon23

the 705 is awesome, that is what i just got... a great piece of equipment, no audio lag so far

Agree whole heartedly.... less power consumption, too!
Onkyo 705
Panasonic BD 30k
Samsung 67 in. 1080p DLP
Bose 7.1
JBL sub

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

Is this audio sync issue hit and miss with the 805's? I have an 805 and have no audio sync problems.

Originally Posted by JaysDomain

I've never had any audio sync issues with blu-ray or dvd from the PS3, only with a few channels/shows on DirecTV, so I guess I am lucky there.

For the 2 months I had my 805 I only had sync issues with some fios-tv channels, but I'd say 90% of the time it was spot on. I never had sync problems with dvd or blu-ray. I was in a similar boat as you, trying to decide whether or not to upgrade to the 875 for $1100. I feel for you, it's a tough choice considering the 805 is such a solid performer.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by JaysDomain

I think the 1080p Upscale (w/ Reon chip) and extra HDMI port is the only advantage over my 805 (besides a few watts output), but from what you are saying its well worth the few hundred extra for the 1080p upscale?

It's a personal decision. It seems to add enough to make it worth it, for me. The extra HDMI port is important (I wish it had more). I have a Pioneer 5010FD, so I'm already spending a premium for my display.

A HQV Reon is used in the Samsung P1200 and XA2, which have both been commended for being great DVD upscalers.

Reon is well respected, and will do at least as good a job as most TVs people purchase.

Originally Posted by JaysDomain

What do you have, Satellite or cable, and how much better is the standard and high Def programming running through it, any picture defects from it?

I have cable. I will have to spend some time with it before I can answer that (I only got it last Friday ). But, so far I haven't noticed any artifacts. The HD on cable looks amazing. But, I'll have to A/B before I can say whether it improves things.

Originally Posted by JaysDomain

Is there any video adjustments that can be made, picture or picture per input, any video features at all?
I really like my 805 but if the 875 will make my DirecTV look even better, I’m all for it.

Unfortunately not yet. There is talk that adjustments will be added in a firmware upgrade. I sure hope so.

--------

EDIT: It turns out there is a "secret menu". You hold down the Display key for a few seconds, a set of Reon adjustments become available on the receiver's front panel display, starting with "Brightness". So, the adjustments are there. These don't appear on the OSD. You can control:

Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Saturation: +- settings
Picture mode: Auto, video, film
Edge enhancement, Mosquito NR, and Random NR each have settings: off, low, mid, high
Block NR: on/off
------

Doing great film AND video de-interlacing is very difficult. So many sets mess up one or both. Many sets don't handle video de-interlacing right, and toss the alternate field whenever motion is detected (dropping resolution to 540p).

The Reon does pixel-based motion adaptive de-interlacing and second stage 10-bit interpolation to eliminate jaggies in the motion portions.

Since it processes internally in 4:4:4, it may also do contouring reduction.

Gary

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by aqupunk

Is the upscaling something that can only be done when sources other than hdmi are connected or can a cable box connected hdmi still upscale the various resolutions all to 1080p?

Anything less than 1080p can be de-interlaced and/or upscaled. Right now 1080p - 30-bit, from all sources, is all that is output to the TV according to my Pioneer 5010FD (your set needs HDMI 1.3a inputs for 30-bit).

Gary

[Silo5]

Originally Posted by blujacket

I would wait for the new models coming out in the summer.

Is there any info on the newer models coming out this summer? or are these just the same Onkyo receivers with the firmware updates already included?

[richteer]

The Onkyo 905 is currently at the top of my receivers-to-consider-buying list.

That said, I'm starting to consider entry level separates too, as separate processor/amps is where I plan to be eventually (though I could always use just the processor or amp part of the 905...).