Budget HDMI Reciever needed - Help!

[Jaxidian]

I'm sure you're all thinking, "Yeah, right!" Well, let's see what my options are and maybe my response will be, "Yeah, right! I can't afford that!"

So, here's what I'm looking for...

- I don't care so much about 7.1 BUT if it's free or cheap, I'll take it just for in the future.
- I need several (2+) HDMI inputs
- I'd like to have all of my devices input into my receiver and have my reciever have a single connection to my TV via an HDMI cable
- I'm only doing 720p/1080i atm but I want it to support 1080p as well
- I have both analog (6.1 and 2.0 RCA cables atm) and digital (HDMI, S Video, Optical inputs to send to the receiver
- I have a computer I'd like to hook up to via an DVI/HDMI cable for video and analog (maybe possibly optical) for audio
- I do NOT need this to "up-convert" the video of lower-resolution inputs to 720p or anything like that - just passing through their native resolution is fine by me.

Now, one of the things I'm looking for with these requirements is that I don't want to have to switch my TV input and my receiver input every time I go from one device to another. HOWEVER, if it's cheaper for me to buy a Harmony remote (and macro that with a single button-press) than it is to get it built into the receiver, then perhaps that's an option. And perhaps extend that one step further with an HDMI switch if that can save me money while getting me many HDMI inputs.

A couple of the receivers I've found so far are the Onkyo 605 and 805, the Pioneer 1016, and that's about it. I don't quite fully understand Looks like these are going for a minimum of $350 or so. In all honesty, I'd love to do this for $200 but I'm sure that's impossible, so let's see how close we can get, though.

Thanks in advance!

-Jax

 

[Jaxidian]

No responses. I guess that's a good indication that I'm SOL.

 

[PurdueRy]

http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

 

[vi edit]

I'd like to have all of my devices input into my receiver and have my reciever have a single connection to my TV via an HDMI cable

You aren't going to get that unless you have upconversion. And that's not going to happen very easily for under $400. Look at the Onkyo 605 and HK AVR-247.

I think there are some Panasonic digital options for less than either of those that may work as well, but I'm not familiar with their products.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

I'd like to have all of my devices input into my receiver and have my reciever have a single connection to my TV via an HDMI cable

You aren't going to get that unless you have upconversion. And that's not going to happen very easily for under $400. Look at the Onkyo 605 and HK AVR-247.

I think there are some Panasonic digital options for less than either of those that may work as well, but I'm not familiar with their products.

Would my next-best option being to have 2 connections to my TV?
1. HDMI
2. Component + Optical (or something like that)

If I can do that and it save me $250 or so, then I guess it's worth it.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

No, I doubt you will see any player in your budget range that does upconversion to HDMI

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

No, I doubt you will see any player in your budget range that does upconversion to HDMI

So with the 505, does that mean I'd have to have both HDMI as well as Component (or something else) + optical (or something else)? Or would I need to use more than two of my inputs to my TV?

Thanks!

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

No, I doubt you will see any player in your budget range that does upconversion to HDMI

So with the 505, does that mean I'd have to have both HDMI as well as Component (or something else) + optical (or something else)? Or would I need to use more than two of my inputs to my TV?

Thanks!

Easiet way to put it, if you have a type of cable going in....it will have to be going out as well.

If you have 1 HDMI device, 1 Component device, and one S-video device. You will need to same cables going to your TV.

With the exception of HDMI, there typically isn't much use having digital audio going to your TV unless you plan on using your TV speakers for audio part of the time and the TV is capable of receiving digital audio.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

No, I doubt you will see any player in your budget range that does upconversion to HDMI

So with the 505, does that mean I'd have to have both HDMI as well as Component (or something else) + optical (or something else)? Or would I need to use more than two of my inputs to my TV?

Thanks!

Easiet way to put it, if you have a type of cable going in....it will have to be going out as well.

If you have 1 HDMI device, 1 Component device, and one S-video device. You will need to same cables going to your TV.

With the exception of HDMI, there typically isn't much use having digital audio going to your TV unless you plan on using your TV speakers for audio part of the time and the TV is capable of receiving digital audio.

The logic behind doing that would be to watch TV quietly while my 3 1/2 yr-old girls sleep and not having a bajillion cables going to my TV at the same time. Optical keeps all audio in a single cable.

So is there just not a cost-effective way to convert all signals to HDMI? I just got back from Fry's and they were telling me they had a $2000 Dennon (?sp) that did that and I said no thx. You'd think somebody would make a chip to do all of it and could mass produce them for $20 or so each to put in all receivers but I guess not.


Okay, so moving on...

I've been looking at two different receivers that catch my interest (both Onkyo). One is the 505 and the other is the 674. The 674 seems to be much like the 605 but a generation older, without the HDMI 1.3, and limited to 720p instead of allowing 1080p to pass through (or so says the Fry's guy). The 505 has much of what the 605 has but without the HDMI 1.3 and without the HDMI up-conversion. They had the 674 for $230 (display model) and the 505 for $300 (new in box). Both of these sounded pretty good to me but as you linked the 505 above, $240 refurb sounds pretty good too. So any thoughts here and anything else I should throw in the pool of what to consider?

Thanks a TON!!!!

-Jax

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

No, I doubt you will see any player in your budget range that does upconversion to HDMI

So with the 505, does that mean I'd have to have both HDMI as well as Component (or something else) + optical (or something else)? Or would I need to use more than two of my inputs to my TV?

Thanks!

Easiet way to put it, if you have a type of cable going in....it will have to be going out as well.

If you have 1 HDMI device, 1 Component device, and one S-video device. You will need to same cables going to your TV.

With the exception of HDMI, there typically isn't much use having digital audio going to your TV unless you plan on using your TV speakers for audio part of the time and the TV is capable of receiving digital audio.

The logic behind doing that would be to watch TV quietly while my 3 1/2 yr-old girls sleep and not having a bajillion cables going to my TV at the same time. Optical keeps all audio in a single cable.

So is there just not a cost-effective way to convert all signals to HDMI? I just got back from Fry's and they were telling me they had a $2000 Dennon (?sp) that did that and I said no thx. You'd think somebody would make a chip to do all of it and could mass produce them for $20 or so each to put in all receivers but I guess not.


Okay, so moving on...

I've been looking at two different receivers that catch my interest (both Onkyo). One is the 505 and the other is the 674. The 674 seems to be much like the 605 but a generation older, without the HDMI 1.3, and limited to 720p instead of allowing 1080p to pass through (or so says the Fry's guy). The 505 has much of what the 605 has but without the HDMI 1.3 and without the HDMI up-conversion. They had the 674 for $230 (display model) and the 505 for $300 (new in box). Both of these sounded pretty good to me but as you linked the 505 above, $240 refurb sounds pretty good too. So any thoughts here and anything else I should throw in the pool of what to consider?

Thanks a TON!!!!

-Jax

I would go with the 505. I have heard that some models are problematic with HDMI upconversion anyway. It's really not that hard to run a few cables extra from the TV to the receiver. If you want less cables, you can always just run your video cables to your TV instead of passing through the receiver. Obviously, your audio will still need to be routed to the receiver, but this is about all that will be needed.

I would also ask the guys on avsforum which they thought was better. I am a member there but only stay up on how good the latest models are when I am in the market. You might get user reviews there that would sway you one way or another.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[Narmer]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...EG/103-2436775-6923005

$232.60 New

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Narmer

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ...EG/103-2436775-6923005

$232.60 New

Impressive

 

[venkman]

Get the Onkyo 605 and be done with it.

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I would go with the 505. I have heard that some models are problematic with HDMI upconversion anyway. It's really not that hard to run a few cables extra from the TV to the receiver. If you want less cables, you can always just run your video cables to your TV instead of passing through the receiver. Obviously, your audio will still need to be routed to the receiver, but this is about all that will be needed.

I would also ask the guys on avsforum which they thought was better. I am a member there but only stay up on how good the latest models are when I am in the market. You might get user reviews there that would sway you one way or another.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Despite your recommendation of the 505, I ended up going with the 674. I was able to get it for $225 + tax and it appears to be quite similar to the 605 minus HDMI 1.3 and with an inferrior scaler. The Fry's guy was telling me that it only upconverts to 720p but the Onkyo site makes it sound as though it upconverts to 1080p. Next-to-worst-case-scenario, I can return it for full refund for the next 30 days. Worst-case-scenario, I paid an extra $30 for an instant exchange plan if it breaks in the next 5 years (i.e. free upgrade for me in a few years, or sooner). This thing handles 95W/channel (more than I'll need but more than the 605 even - I think it's 90/ch) and loads of other things that seem to be the same as the 605.

I'll let you know what I think of it after a while with it.

-Jax

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detai...d=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

$239.99 refurb

Does the 505 have Upconversion?

No, I doubt you will see any player in your budget range that does upconversion to HDMI

I just thought I'd drop in and let everybody know that with the 674, I can in fact have all the inputs I want and they'll all output over a single HDMI connection to my TV! This is EXACTLY what I wanted! Granted, the lower-res inputs are output at 480I/P (I forget) so that leaves my TV to do the upscaling itself but I'm fine with that. The only negative I have about it so far is that if I connect my DirecTV box up to it using analog video, there is very noticeable interferance (but using the same cable going straight to my TV that interference does not exist). Luckily using SVideo fixes it. Well, I guess the other negative is that I can't get my DirecTV remote to control much of the receiver at all other than the volume and switching to CD / Tape inputs (but can't get back to any of the other inputs). Using another remote code gives me the ability to turn my receiver off (not back on) but removes all of the volume control. I guess ultimately I'm gonna have to get me a Harmony to control this and my Tosh HDDVD that nothing else can control. <sigh>


But yeah, I'm very happy with my $225 receiver!

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I would go with the 505. I have heard that some models are problematic with HDMI upconversion anyway. It's really not that hard to run a few cables extra from the TV to the receiver. If you want less cables, you can always just run your video cables to your TV instead of passing through the receiver. Obviously, your audio will still need to be routed to the receiver, but this is about all that will be needed.

I would also ask the guys on avsforum which they thought was better. I am a member there but only stay up on how good the latest models are when I am in the market. You might get user reviews there that would sway you one way or another.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Despite your recommendation of the 505, I ended up going with the 674. I was able to get it for $225 + tax and it appears to be quite similar to the 605 minus HDMI 1.3 and with an inferrior scaler. The Fry's guy was telling me that it only upconverts to 720p but the Onkyo site makes it sound as though it upconverts to 1080p. Next-to-worst-case-scenario, I can return it for full refund for the next 30 days. Worst-case-scenario, I paid an extra $30 for an instant exchange plan if it breaks in the next 5 years (i.e. free upgrade for me in a few years, or sooner). This thing handles 95W/channel (more than I'll need but more than the 605 even - I think it's 90/ch) and loads of other things that seem to be the same as the 605.

I'll let you know what I think of it after a while with it.

-Jax

Where did you find a 674 for $225 + tax? That's a really good deal

 

[Jaxidian]

Originally posted by: Slick5150

Originally posted by: Jaxidian

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
I would go with the 505. I have heard that some models are problematic with HDMI upconversion anyway. It's really not that hard to run a few cables extra from the TV to the receiver. If you want less cables, you can always just run your video cables to your TV instead of passing through the receiver. Obviously, your audio will still need to be routed to the receiver, but this is about all that will be needed.

I would also ask the guys on avsforum which they thought was better. I am a member there but only stay up on how good the latest models are when I am in the market. You might get user reviews there that would sway you one way or another.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Despite your recommendation of the 505, I ended up going with the 674. I was able to get it for $225 + tax and it appears to be quite similar to the 605 minus HDMI 1.3 and with an inferrior scaler. The Fry's guy was telling me that it only upconverts to 720p but the Onkyo site makes it sound as though it upconverts to 1080p. Next-to-worst-case-scenario, I can return it for full refund for the next 30 days. Worst-case-scenario, I paid an extra $30 for an instant exchange plan if it breaks in the next 5 years (i.e. free upgrade for me in a few years, or sooner). This thing handles 95W/channel (more than I'll need but more than the 605 even - I think it's 90/ch) and loads of other things that seem to be the same as the 605.

I'll let you know what I think of it after a while with it.

-Jax

Where did you find a 674 for $225 + tax? That's a really good deal

Demo model at Fry's. I paid the extra $30 for the replacement plan - I'm sure it'll break here in about 4 years and I'll get it replaced with a nice upgraded model.