I have a simple question about receivers

[NaOH]

If I want to pass audio from my xbox using hdmi only to the receiver (and of course coming back out for video), what feature am I looking for exactly?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The terminology can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

For example,
Onkyo's receivers that do Audio over HDMI say "HDMI repeater" while ones that cannot say "HDMI Pass Through"
Denon's receivers that do Audio over HDMI say "HDMI processing and switching" while ones that cannot say "HDMI video switching"

I think the easiest way to do this is to check if the receiver is capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, etc.
If it can do that, it must be able to take audio over HDMI. There are some models that do Linear PCM and such over HDMI and not decode those sound formats though, so there are some you might miss this way.
I believe most of the ones you should be looking at though have this ability now, so I think it's an ok method to use across brands.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I think the easiest way to do this is to check if the receiver is capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, etc.
If it can do that, it must be able to take audio over HDMI. There are some models that do Linear PCM and such over HDMI and not decode those sound formats though, so there are some you might miss this way.
I believe most of the ones you should be looking at though have this ability now, so I think it's an ok method to use across brands.

Actually, each brand still usually has one model just below the cheapest TrueHD/DTS-MA AVR that takes surround PCM over HDMI but doesn't decode the new streams. (IIRC the Xbox won't output surround PCM, but if the receiver won't take PCM over HDMI, it won't take any other audio over HDMI either.)

I've found ProductWiki to be a nice source for this info -- faster than combing through manuals, anyway.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: s44

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I think the easiest way to do this is to check if the receiver is capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA, etc.
If it can do that, it must be able to take audio over HDMI. There are some models that do Linear PCM and such over HDMI and not decode those sound formats though, so there are some you might miss this way.
I believe most of the ones you should be looking at though have this ability now, so I think it's an ok method to use across brands.

Actually, each brand still usually has one model just below the cheapest TrueHD/DTS-MA AVR that takes surround PCM over HDMI but doesn't decode the new streams. (IIRC the Xbox won't output surround PCM, but if the receiver won't take PCM over HDMI, it won't take any other audio over HDMI either.)

I've found ProductWiki to be a nice source for this info -- faster than combing through manuals, anyway.

That's probably a good idea.

I've seen some mixed information from a variety of sites which is discouraging. Just for example, check out Amazon's page for the Denon 1709
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AV...&qid=1237574252&sr=8-1
"The Denon AVR-1709 is equipped with the latest high resolution surround sound format decoding capabilities, including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio - the latest high resolution audio formats found on many Blu-ray high definition discs."

The 1709 can't do audio over HDMI. Somehow they managed to take the description for the 1909 and stick the 1709 in there.

 

[nakedfrog]

Yeah, I researched receivers for this functionality for a while and found the whole thing confusing... but my Onkyo TX-SR606 was just delivered to my house about thirty minutes ago

 

[NaOH]

Gahh sooo confusing.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What's your budget for this? It might be easier to just post what you want to spend and we can make some suggestions for receivers that have audio over HDMI.

 

[NaOH]

Max would be around 500.

 

[NaOH]

Text

What about this one?

 

[Alienwho]

If you are going to be spending ~$500 on a receiver, everybody is going to be recommending the Onkyo SR606 http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX...Receiver/dp/B0015S8PGW . I myself will buy one when I can find a refurb for $225.

 

[NaOH]

Actually, with the coupon code, I'd be better off with the 1909 at that price

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Text

What about this one?

This thread is relevant to your interests

Originally posted by: Alienwho
If you are going to be spending ~$500 on a receiver, everybody is going to be recommending the Onkyo SR606 http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX...Receiver/dp/B0015S8PGW . I myself will buy one when I can find a refurb for $225.

I finally bit when it dropped to $380 on Wednesday.
I get the feeling you'll be holding out for at least a few months at that price point.

 

[NaOH]

I guess I won't be needing a receiver that can decode the HD audio signals as I will be purchasing a ps3 later on. That was a good thread, thanks.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Actually, with the coupon code, I'd be better off with the 1909 at that price

6ave coupon code?

EDIT: oh, I see it

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: NaOH
Actually, with the coupon code, I'd be better off with the 1909 at that price

6ave coupon code?

Text

But alas, sold out =(

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

AV123 has it for $469 + shipping

 

[NaOH]

I don't see it, can you link me?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: NaOH
I don't see it, can you link me?

They don't advertise Denon on the site, you have to call them or e-mail them.

 

[NaOH]

UPDATE

So I was able to score the Marantz sr5003 for about 475 shipped. I'm pretty happy with the deal and I believe it should last me quite awhile without me needing to upgrade. I think I have one more question though, does the xbox 360 output bitstream over Hdmi? Or is it incapable of outputting trueHD in any format?

 

[s44]

Only Blu-Ray/HD-DVD is in TrueHD (or DTS-MA). I'm not sure how the Xbox played back HD-DVDs, but I believe everything else (including games) is in plain old DD 5.1 -- makes sense, because not all Xboxes have HDMI.

Buy a Blu-Ray/PS3

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: s44
Only Blu-Ray/HD-DVD is in TrueHD (or DTS-MA). I'm not sure how the Xbox played back HD-DVDs, but I believe everything else (including games) is in plain old DD 5.1 -- makes sense, because not all Xboxes have HDMI.

HD-DVDs on the 360 will play back in plain old DD-5.1 or DTS-5.1. You get to choose, in case your receiver is better with one or the other. There's also the option of stereo PCM, although I very much doubt this is "lossless" in any way, shape, or form. It's unfortunate that the 360 can't bitstream high bit rate (HBR) audio codecs or decode and output them as PCM-5.1/7.1, but that's life. IMHO, there is a perceptible quality difference between HBR audio and non-HBR audio, judging from my Blu-Ray discs.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: s44
Only Blu-Ray/HD-DVD is in TrueHD (or DTS-MA). I'm not sure how the Xbox played back HD-DVDs, but I believe everything else (including games) is in plain old DD 5.1 -- makes sense, because not all Xboxes have HDMI.

HD-DVDs on the 360 will play back in plain old DD-5.1 or DTS-5.1. You get to choose, in case your receiver is better with one or the other. There's also the option of stereo PCM, although I very much doubt this is "lossless" in any way, shape, or form. It's unfortunate that the 360 can't bitstream high bit rate (HBR) audio codecs or decode and output them as PCM-5.1/7.1, but that's life. IMHO, there is a perceptible quality difference between HBR audio and non-HBR audio, judging from my Blu-Ray discs.

Good to know. I'll prob pick up a ps3 or a bluray in a bit..Gotta enjoy my john mayer bluray disc!