question re: onkyo 605 video performance

[scragham]

hey guys,

still in the process of reviewing data for the onkyo 605. read this editor's review from cnet.com, which has some criticisms/concerns about the onkyo's performance with analog video:

While the analog-to-digital video conversion is overall a nice feature for convenience, there are a couple of quirks on the TX-SR605. For example, those planning to use the TX-SR605 with 1080i signals via a component video input will be disappointed to find out that all 1080i signals via component are downconverted to 720p when output over the HDMI output. Furthermore, 1080p signals via the component video input cannot be output via the HDMI output at all. There are certainly work-arounds for these issues--see our Tips & Tricks section--but they involve complications that HDMI-equipped receivers were supposed to avoid.

and

In terms of video performance, we weren't too impressed. The most disappointing aspect of the TX-SR605's video performance is that it either lacks or has poor 2:3 pull-down processing. This was evident with Silicon Optix's HQV test disc, as well as on Star Trek: Insurrection and Seabiscuit. Without 2:3 pull-down processing, we found film-based movies were filled with jaggies when the TX-SR605 was responsible for deinterlacing. For example, we ran our tests from the Samsung BD-P1000 to the TX-SR605 via S-Video, and then out to the Sony KDL-46S3000 using the HDMI connection. In this configuration, the opening sequence of Seabiscuit was filled with jaggies on almost every image that the camera panned on, with artifacts that would be noticeable to even those who aren't picky about video quality. Similarly, on the introduction to Star Trek: Insurrection, the boats on the riverside clearly had jaggies instead of being represented by a smooth line.

We also noticed that the TX-SR605 was softening the resolution of images that it deinterlaced; this was confirmed on the HQV test disc as well. In areas where there should have been detail, there was just a solid color. On the other hand, the TX-SR605 did a very good job with several other tests on the HQV test suite, including tests with a rotating white line, three pivoting fingers, and footage of a waving flag.

the first one is irritating, but not that big a deal. it's only really an issue with HD cable, and comes down to the age old question of which is better - 1080i vs 720p. the second one, however is a little more concerning because of what it seems to suggest about how it does with SD DVDs if i want to pass all video to the my projector via a single HDMI cable.

any onkyo 605 owners noticed these issues? how does your 605 seem to deal with SD images passed through the HDMI cable?

thanks.

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by scragham

hey guys,

still in the process of reviewing data for the onkyo 605. read this editor's review from cnet.com, which has some criticisms/concerns about the onkyo's performance with analog video:



and



the first one is irritating, but not that big a deal. it's only really an issue with HD cable, and comes down to the age old question of which is better - 1080i vs 720p. the second one, however is a little more concerning because of what it seems to suggest about how it does with SD DVDs if i want to pass all video to the my projector via a single HDMI cable.

any onkyo 605 owners noticed these issues? how does your 605 seem to deal with SD images passed through the HDMI cable?

thanks.

I own the 605, and have zero issues with the two problems you listed (it should be noted that I do not use the 605 to "upconvert" any analog signals as annotated in issue #1). On issue #2, I think you are confusing yourself. The test plugged a BD-P1000 player via SVIDEO into the Onkyo and let it do the deinterlacing back to the TV. SVIDEO!!! Who does that? If you pass HDMI to the 605 it simply passes the HDMI signal back to the TV in its original state, meaning that it does not add any processing to the signal. It simply passes it. This is true for 1080p and non 1080p signals via HDMI. As long as you are going HDMI in to the Onkyo and HDMI out to the TV you are fine. Hope this helps.

[Zaphod]

I agree with the original assessment. The upconversion on the receiver really does not do the job. Thankfully I don't use this receiver to upconvert anything.

[scragham]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

I own the 605, and have zero issues with the two problems you listed (it should be noted that I do not use the 605 to "upconvert" any analog signals as annotated in issue #1). On issue #2, I think you are confusing yourself. The test plugged a BD-P1000 player via SVIDEO into the Onkyo and let it do the deinterlacing back to the TV. SVIDEO!!! Who does that? If you pass HDMI to the 605 it simply passes the HDMI signal back to the TV in its original state, meaning that it does not add any processing to the signal. It simply passes it. This is true for 1080p and non 1080p signals via HDMI. As long as you are going HDMI in to the Onkyo and HDMI out to the TV you are fine. Hope this helps.

it does, thanks ack.

i think i did manage to confuse myself with this one re: the svideo input.

phew. i was afraid i was going to have to look at something twice as expensive for a bit there.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by scragham

any onkyo 605 owners noticed these issues? how does your 605 seem to deal with SD images passed through the HDMI cable?

Originally Posted by ack_bak

I own the 605, and have zero issues with the two problems you listed (it should be noted that I do not use the 605 to "upconvert" any analog signals as annotated in issue #1). On issue #2, I think you are confusing yourself. The test plugged a BD-P1000 player via SVIDEO into the Onkyo and let it do the deinterlacing back to the TV. SVIDEO!!! Who does that? If you pass HDMI to the 605 it simply passes the HDMI signal back to the TV in its original state, meaning that it does not add any processing to the signal. It simply passes it. This is true for 1080p and non 1080p signals via HDMI. As long as you are going HDMI in to the Onkyo and HDMI out to the TV you are fine. Hope this helps.

I've got a PS3 connected to my 605 via HDMI also. I have noticed a degradation in my picture over my previous setup when playing SD-DVD.

I've got the "DVD Upscaling" feature turned on (Double Scale) in the PS3, just as before. Before the 605, the picture was improved. With the 605, the picture is worse. Granted, my previous receiver had no HDMI so I had to connect HDMI directly to the TV. ack_bak, when you said you didn't use the 605 to upconvert any signals, which feature is used to "turn it on or off"? How do I prevent the 605 from performing any video processing (or can I)? I'm just trying to figure out why the picture is not as good as before.

Along the same line, If I had a stand-alone BD player with HQV processing (the new Samsung BD-P2400 has it), I'm assuming that the signal will pass a clearly and without processing from the 605 when using a 1.3 HDMI cable. Is this correct?

Thanks!

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

I agree with the original assessment. The upconversion on the receiver really does not do the job. Thankfully I don't use this receiver to upconvert anything.

How do you get it to not upconvert? I know the PS3 will upconvert the standard DVD's before sending to the receiver. Won't the receiver just pass it to the TV?