"Futureproofing" my Receiver purchase questions.

[Zman2k2]

Okay, so since I've been on the board, I am quickly understanding that to enjoy the benefit of the new technology of BD discs and audio output, I need to upgrade. Looking at both what is out there currently, as well as what is upcoming in the months ahead, I am getting somewhat confused as to what I need to look for when it comes to a new A/V receiver. What I'm going to do is list what I think is necessary for a "future-proof" receiver, and then you can educate me on my research.

1- HDMI. This is necessary when it comes to the new audio outputs that the BD comes with (ie. DTS- HD MA and DDTruHD). But what about video processing? If your equipment puts out a 1080p signal, is video-processing necessary? Or would a video-pass-through be more what I'm looking for? Or is there a difference? Second, is the saying "the more, the merrier" true when it comes to the number of HDMI inputs that a receiver comes with? Currently I have 3 devices that are capable of HDMI output (BD player, XBox360 and HD-DVR cable box). Is getting a receiver with 4-or-more HDMI inputs going to benefit me, or will the quality suffer because of so many inputs?

2- 5.1 and 7.1. Most Blu-rays that are available now are 5.1 audio. Will we see a change in the near future with a move towards more 7.1 audio tracks? As I read now, the new codecs of DDTruHD and DTS-HD MA are all 5.1. Will there be a new codec capable of 7.1 or are these current ones capable of decoding 7.1 audio?

3- New codec decoding. Saving money is something that everyone likes to do. Is it even necessary to find a receiver that is capable of decoding the new codecs, or can a person save money on this and get one of the new 2.0 BD players with internal decoding and be happy with the quality that way? Or is having the receiver capable of doing the decoding better? This goes along with point 2, in that if 7.1 output is a new codec, wouldn't it be better to have to buy a new player for 7.1, versus a new receiver or will those codecs be capable of 7.1?

I know that brand and sound are all relative to the person doing the listening, but the features of the receivers are all pretty much the same when it comes down to point-for-point comparisons. Having some knowledge on which features are going to be around for a while and knowing which are necessary for the best possible experience will help out some new-to-the-experience people, like me, who go out shopping and won't get sucked-in to buying something we won't use or don't need.

[JimPullan]

Features to look for in the 'future proof' Receiver are:

1. Internally decodes "all" high bit advanced audio codecs from a signal source coming in via HDMI, and also has 5.1 - 7.1 'Analog' Input.

2. Internally will convert all video sources to HDMI, so you'll have but one Output going into one single HDMI Input on your HDTV.

3. The capability to Upconvert VCR, and Standard DVD's to higher resolutions to match the capability of your HDTV.

4. The ability to Bi-Amp (if desired) your L&R Fronts, using amps 6 and 7, in a 5.1 System set-up.

That's a start . . . . .

Jim

[blujacket]

Must have 7.1 or more preouts.

[musicman1999]

Depends on if you want performance or convenience. For me great sound quality is the number one priority, bar none. Most of those other things you mentioned, have no effect on the sound.Video up conversion is useless, your panel will upconvert everything anyway and more than one layer of up conversion will often make the picture look worse. For best picture quality everything should connect directly to your monitor.I would not worry to much about "future proofing", it pretty much impossible, pick out a receiver that sounds great and everything else will look after itself.

bill

[amavon]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

Okay, so since I've been on the board, I am quickly understanding that to enjoy the benefit of the new technology of BD discs and audio output, I need to upgrade. Looking at both what is out there currently, as well as what is upcoming in the months ahead, I am getting somewhat confused as to what I need to look for when it comes to a new A/V receiver. What I'm going to do is list what I think is necessary for a "future-proof" receiver, and then you can educate me on my research.

1- HDMI. This is necessary when it comes to the new audio outputs that the BD comes with (ie. DTS- HD MA and DDTruHD). But what about video processing? If your equipment puts out a 1080p signal, is video-processing necessary? Or would a video-pass-through be more what I'm looking for? Or is there a difference? Second, is the saying "the more, the merrier" true when it comes to the number of HDMI inputs that a receiver comes with? Currently I have 3 devices that are capable of HDMI output (BD player, XBox360 and HD-DVR cable box). Is getting a receiver with 4-or-more HDMI inputs going to benefit me, or will the quality suffer because of so many inputs?

2- 5.1 and 7.1. Most Blu-rays that are available now are 5.1 audio. Will we see a change in the near future with a move towards more 7.1 audio tracks? As I read now, the new codecs of DDTruHD and DTS-HD MA are all 5.1. Will there be a new codec capable of 7.1 or are these current ones capable of decoding 7.1 audio?

3- New codec decoding. Saving money is something that everyone likes to do. Is it even necessary to find a receiver that is capable of decoding the new codecs, or can a person save money on this and get one of the new 2.0 BD players with internal decoding and be happy with the quality that way? Or is having the receiver capable of doing the decoding better? This goes along with point 2, in that if 7.1 output is a new codec, wouldn't it be better to have to buy a new player for 7.1, versus a new receiver or will those codecs be capable of 7.1?

I know that brand and sound are all relative to the person doing the listening, but the features of the receivers are all pretty much the same when it comes down to point-for-point comparisons. Having some knowledge on which features are going to be around for a while and knowing which are necessary for the best possible experience will help out some new-to-the-experience people, like me, who go out shopping and won't get sucked-in to buying something we won't use or don't need.

You are certainly asking yourself the right questions about what receiver will best suit your needs. The beauty of the electronics world we are in now is that the technology change that we have seen in the last year is in its infancy. We have finally progressd to uncompressed audio formats....finally. Which is ironic that music seems to be moving in the opposite direction with downloads and high compression rates...oh well.

When thinking ahead...more is better. You currently have three which is more than many receivers out there. Think 4 or more. What about the next computer you buy...or the next Blu-ray recorder. More is what you want. It does not hurt image quality to have more.

There are many discs available now with 7.1 and there will be even more whether it is LPCM, Dolby or DTS. It really matters not in that a good receiver will process to 7.1 even if it is a 5.1 encoding.

Internal and external decoding...Take my situation. I have an older Denon with 8 channel inputs and outputs. This is good since I can now buy the new Denon Blu-Ray and use the internal decoding of the player. But when broadcast and others move to the higher res. codecs...then I am forced to a new receiever...but that is likely to be years away as we have to eliminate analog first. So having the pre in's and outs is invaluable. Keep in mind there are only a few players on the market that internally decode and output all the codecs. Denon and Marantz.

I would suggest that you explore The Denon AVR-3808 as a minimum. The 4308 or the 5308. All have ethernet and are capable of firmware updates (there have been some already). That is as furture proof as you can get.

My thoughts anyway.

Good luck shopping!!!!

[TOP_GUN]

ive been saying the same thing we are getting sucked up with this new stuff

[Leaffan]

Originally Posted by amavon

You are certainly asking yourself the right questions about what receiver will best suit your needs. The beauty of the electronics world we are in now is that the technology change that we have seen in the last year is in its infancy. We have finally progressd to uncompressed audio formats....finally. Which is ironic that music seems to be moving in the opposite direction with downloads and high compression rates...oh well.

When thinking ahead...more is better. You currently have three which is more than many receivers out there. Think 4 or more. What about the next computer you buy...or the next Blu-ray recorder. More is what you want. It does not hurt image quality to have more.

There are many discs available now with 7.1 and there will be even more whether it is LPCM, Dolby or DTS. It really matters not in that a good receiver will process to 7.1 even if it is a 5.1 encoding.

Internal and external decoding...Take my situation. I have an older Denon with 8 channel inputs and outputs. This is good since I can now buy the new Denon Blu-Ray and use the internal decoding of the player. But when broadcast and others move to the higher res. codecs...then I am forced to a new receiever...but that is likely to be years away as we have to eliminate analog first. So having the pre in's and outs is invaluable. Keep in mind there are only a few players on the market that internally decode and output all the codecs. Denon and Marantz.

I would suggest that you explore The Denon AVR-3808 as a minimum. The 4308 or the 5308. All have ethernet and are capable of firmware updates (there have been some already). That is as furture proof as you can get.

My thoughts anyway.

Good luck shopping!!!!

Hi there:

Some really good comments. I've just picked up the Pioneer VSX-9120TXH and it's about a future proof as there is:

HDMI 1.3a
Decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD and DTS MHD
7.1 surround support
THX Select 2 certified
Dual HDMI switching

To hear this baby, WOW. It really blows my old Sony STRDG-900 out of the water!

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by blujacket

Must have 7.1 or more preouts.

this is a MUST have for future proofing.

[petenad]

Originally Posted by JimPullan

Features to look for in the 'future proof' Receiver are:

1. Internally decodes "all" high bit advanced audio codecs from a signal source coming in via HDMI, and also has 5.1 - 7.1 'Analog' Input.

2. Internally will convert all video sources to HDMI, so you'll have but one Output going into one single HDMI Input on your HDTV.

3. The capability to Upconvert VCR, and Standard DVD's to higher resolutions to match the capability of your HDTV.

4. The ability to Bi-Amp (if desired) your L&R Fronts, using amps 6 and 7, in a 5.1 System set-up.

That's a start . . . . .

Jim

Would the Onkyo NR905 be future proof?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by petenad

Would the Onkyo NR905 be future proof?

"futureproof" is never really attainable...but does it have the features to last for a long time? Yes, the 905 should last you for a good many years. I would venture to say 5-10 years depending on your needs/wants.