Upgrade to HDMI receiver- totally confused!

[blu-mood]

I want to upgrade my receiver (looking at various Onkyo, Denon, Marantz models), and after reading extensively online, I still have a lot of questions.

Current set up:
Sony KD-34XBR960 CRT TV (1080i, only 1 HDMI input)
Time Warner Cable HD DVR (connected via component to TV & optical to receiver)
PS3 60GB (currently connected directly to TV via HDMI & via optical to receiver)
Onkyo TX-SR502S 6.1 Channel receiver
Athena Micra 6 System with 225W sub (20-100W recommended amp power)

I have no current plans to upgrade the TV or speaker system/sub.

I want to get a receiver that would allow me to connect my PS3 and HD DVR to it via HDMI, but from what I've read, I'd still need to connect the PS3 via optical?

Do I need more than 3 HDMI inputs for the equipment mentioned?

Is it better to buy a receiver with 2 HDMI inputs, then also buy a HDMI switch?

Since my TV only handles up to 1080i, is there any point to buying a receiver that can pass 1080p if I may not buy a larger HDTV for a while?

A lot of assorted receiver reviews indicate that the video passing on many HDMI receivers isn't as good as the audio passing? Thoughts?

I'm leaning towards the Onkyo TX-SR705 or Denon AVR-3808ci, but still can't tell if either or both are more receiver than I need for what I have. Help?

[cembros]

if you have the ps3 connected to a receiver via hdmi there is no need for an optical cable

[nhaase]

If you are only connecting two components to your rcvr via HDMI, and do not plan on expanding, you can get a rcvr w/ just two inputs.

As long as you get a rcvr that has a full HDMI input (not just HDMI pass-through, which only takes in the video signal), you won't need to connect the PS3 w/ an optical cable.

The two rcvrs you are looking at will allow you to connect everything in to your rcvr the way you want and you will only have a single HDMI cable going to the TV. The Onkyo will be fine.

[gearyt]

The 705 with everything thru HDMI

[blu-mood]

Great, thanks. I also meant to ask if I'm going to have any issues with HDMI 1.3a, which I'm certain my TV is not, or will that not matter? If it does matter, will I need new HDMI 1.3a compliant cables to connect everything?

[chasarms]

I'll just tag onto this one:

Right now I am using my old non-HDMI Yamaha receiver. If I buy a 7.1 receiver (I am also considering the 705), what happens when I only hook up 5 speakers, and which five to I hook up.

I will address the speakers soon enough, but I am curious.

[Brian Cash]

Originally Posted by chasarms

I'll just tag onto this one:

Right now I am using my old non-HDMI Yamaha receiver. If I buy a 7.1 receiver (I am also considering the 705), what happens when I only hook up 5 speakers, and which five to I hook up.

I will address the speakers soon enough, but I am curious.

you can still use 5.1 system on a 7.1 receiver

[chasarms]

Originally Posted by Brian Cash

you can still use 5.1 system on a 7.1 receiver

Thanks.

Does the receiver downgrade the audio to the lowest common denominator?

That is, I have HDMI from my BD player to the receiver. So, do ALL of the various audio formats stream to the receiver from the BD, and I then select the appropriate type on the receiver?

I guess I really need a BD surround sound capabilities tutorial. If I go with a 705, will I have to manually tell it what kind of surround sound audio is coming in from the BD?

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by chasarms

Thanks.

Does the receiver downgrade the audio to the lowest common denominator?

That is, I have HDMI from my BD player to the receiver. So, do ALL of the various audio formats stream to the receiver from the BD, and I then select the appropriate type on the receiver?

I guess I really need a BD surround sound capabilities tutorial. If I go with a 705, will I have to manually tell it what kind of surround sound audio is coming in from the BD?

1) the sound is selected at the player level, the receiver will match input

2) mostly

3) you can set defaults on what in = what out at the receiver

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by cembros

if you have the ps3 connected to a receiver via hdmi there is no need for an optical cable

Unless you buy the wrong receiver like I did and it doesn't allow the audio to go through HDMI, only video passthrough. I was dumb on that purchase.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....#productdetail

The "no audio through HDMI" is a known issue with this thing, I read customer reviews on Best Buy & Amazon after the fact. My fault.

[blu-mood]

bump

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by blu-mood

I want to get a receiver that would allow me to connect my PS3 and HD DVR to it via HDMI, but from what I've read, I'd still need to connect the PS3 via optical?

no, you would connect the PS3 via HDMI.

Do I need more than 3 HDMI inputs for the equipment mentioned?

No. you can always get a receiver with 2 inputs, and use an inexpensive hdmi switcher...but the more handshaking going on the more potential for problems.

Is it better to buy a receiver with 2 HDMI inputs, then also buy a HDMI switch?

as above, the more handshaking the more problems...but not very common. You can always connect your cable with Component also. Not much difference.

Since my TV only handles up to 1080i, is there any point to buying a receiver that can pass 1080p if I may not buy a larger HDTV for a while?

Most receivers nowadays will pass 1080p no problem...so it does not matter if your TV is 1080i only. (finding a receiver that only pass 1080i and lower is extremely difficult, and if you did find one, don't buy it!)

A lot of assorted receiver reviews indicate that the video passing on many HDMI receivers isn't as good as the audio passing? Thoughts?

not sure I understand this question...doesn't seem relevant.

I'm leaning towards the Onkyo TX-SR705 or Denon AVR-3808ci, but still can't tell if either or both are more receiver than I need for what I have. Help?

Both receivers will do all you need.



as for HDMI cables....shop here.

Monoprice.com

[blu-mood]

What I was saying in the video vs. audio passing was that receivers are being reviewed as having better audio passing quality than video passing quality.

Also, I still don't know if I need new HDMI cables that are 1.3a compliant vs. whatever existing HDMI cables I have, which may or may not be.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by blu-mood

What I was saying in the video vs. audio passing was that receivers are being reviewed as having better audio passing quality than video passing quality.

Receivers don't pass the audio, they process it...

Also, I still don't know if I need new HDMI cables that are 1.3a compliant vs. whatever existing HDMI cables I have, which may or may not be.

Most HDMI cables will work for you

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by blu-mood

What I was saying in the video vs. audio passing was that receivers are being reviewed as having better audio passing quality than video passing quality.

do you have a link to a "review" that you are speaking about? because honestly, you really cannot compare audio vs. video passing (from same receiver?).

or do you mean, video passing from example an onkyo vs. video passing of yamaha? and audio passing from Onkyo vs. Yamaha? (etc)

....because how im understanding your statement is the audio vs. video passing in one receiver vs. itself. Not a valid comparison.

[moviefan]

Originally Posted by blu-mood

What I was saying in the video vs. audio passing was that receivers are being reviewed as having better audio passing quality than video passing quality.

Also, I still don't know if I need new HDMI cables that are 1.3a compliant vs. whatever existing HDMI cables I have, which may or may not be.

First of all, FUTURE PROOF your receiver purchase as much as possible. Having 1080P HDMI capability means you don't need another one when you eventually get a new TV.
Sony has just announced several new receivers that seem to be a bargain for what the have.The STR-DG920 has 4 HDMI inputs, one output for $600 list.
As you can see from my sig, we have everything connected to the receiver via HDMI, and my son's PS3 games are incredible thru the 7.1 sound system. We purchased a Sony PS3 remote for use when watching movies.
Lastly, all the Monoprice.com HDMI cables are 1.3a, but no one is producing any Home Theatre equipment that REQUIRES it!. Lots of marketing hype!
Good luck whatever you choose!

[Alaskankaijudude]

So...I have HDMI cables that I'm assuming are not 1.3. I have the Panasonic BD-30 which will be going through one of the new Yamaha receivers that does support the HD audio formats. I should have no problems with any of these audio formats...right?

[ArkGuy]

Originally Posted by blu-mood

What I was saying in the video vs. audio passing was that receivers are being reviewed as having better audio passing quality than video passing quality.

What I think you are refering to are reviews bragging on a receiver's ability to handle the latest high end audio, like True HD or DTS-MA, but don't get high marks for video. I think cnet.com's review of the 605 and/or 705 is such an example.

If I'm not mistaken, that's a reference to PQ of video connected with non-HDMI connectors and then converted to 720p (in the case of the 605) to be passed to the TV via the HDMI cable. Some critics say the picture is softer, a bit of detail lost, etc. However, even on those receivers, something connected to the receiver via HDMI will have its signal passed straight through to the TV without any processing so there will be no picture quality lost. E.g., if its 1080p going in, it will be 1080p coming out with no loss in quality.

Maybe that's what you were refering to.

[welwynnick]

Originally Posted by blu-mood

What I was saying in the video vs. audio passing was that receivers are being reviewed as having better audio passing quality than video passing quality.

Also, I still don't know if I need new HDMI cables that are 1.3a compliant vs. whatever existing HDMI cables I have, which may or may not be.

Sounds like your point of view might be a bit wasted here, at least if I understand what you mean. I've long been sceptical about the suitability of amplifiers to perform switching or processing of video signals (convenient though it may be) and it sounds like you are also concerned about the relative transparency of these signals. The thinking being that an equipment that is designed and optimised for audio duties will be compromised when it comes to video handling. We call it a jack-of-all-trades in the UK - its a master of none. My view is that when you want a receiver to do everything, which they do seem to, these days, there will always be compromises, and the mere presence of video in an audio box will degrade SQ, and vice-versa.

BR, Nick

[Tyler2106]

if you only need 2 HDMI why not save money and get the 605???