Entry Level(starter) Receivers

[aramis109]

I wouldn't worry about upscaling so much. If your TV has more than one HDMI input, you can always run the cable box directly to it and then run optical or digital coax (both of which can easily carry DD 5.1) to the receiver. You can completely avoid going through the receiver that way if you want to.

I run my coaxial cable directly to the set, and then run a digital coax wire down to the receiver since I don't have a cable box. I get SD and HD channels in fine, and get DD 5.1 when it's available.

Don't let video processing scare you off of a good deal.