Receiver question

[jhansman]

Is it SOP these days to have the receiver handle video signals? I am considering replacing my aging Pioneer A/V receiver (which only does audio processing) with a new model that would eventually, I assume, be the pass through for video from my HD satellite box, BR player, etc. These devices can just go straight to the TV via HDMI, so I'm wondering why I'd put a receiver in the middle. Is it just for switching, or does the receiver process the video signal as well? Most seem to have four inputs (as do the better TVs) and one out, so the assumption seems to be that all HDMI devices output to the receiver. TIA.

 

[jhansman]

Really? Over 50 looks and no one has an answer? One of you must be running your video through a receiver. C'mon folks, lend a brother a hand.

 

[jtvang125]

You gain the ability of centrally switching your sources and most of the mid to high end models will also upscale video sources to 1080p from your composite and component inputs. Depending on what scaler is used in the receiver it might be better to just let your tv do the upscaling.

 

[jhansman]

You gain the ability of centrally switching your sources and most of the mid to high end models will also upscale video sources to 1080p from your composite and component inputs. Depending on what scaler is used in the receiver it might be better to just let your tv do the upscaling.

Right, kind of what I thought. Your reply leads to another topic I wanted to know more about; the two models I am looking at differ in that one coverts video inputs (with an Anchor Bay chip) so they are all output to HDMI out, while the other requires that you if you input, say, component, you have to use that same cable type to output to your TV. The price difference between these models is about $100, and this upscaling is really the only difference between them. I'm trying to understand if this capability is worth the extra $$, or if it just another "feature" manufacturers tack on to bump the price. I'd love to hear from those of you who have and use this feature as to its value. Thanks again.

EDIT: Learned from Pioneer techies that the receiver I am eyeing (VSX-921-K) uses the ABT1015 chip; more info here:
http://www.siliconimage.com/products/product.aspx?pid=200

 

[kornphlake]

If all your sources are HDMI you are just doing switching through the receiver, as far as the video is concerned, there is no real advantage, if you have component or composite sources the receiver may upscale. The advantage to putting your receiver between the source and the monitor with an HDMI connection is in the audio, co-axial and optical connections don't have enough bandwidth to carry DTS-HD audio streams, currently only HDMI can carry HD audio streams.

 

[jhansman]

The advantage to putting your receiver between the source and the monitor with an HDMI connection is in the audio, co-axial and optical connections don't have enough bandwidth to carry DTS-HD audio streams, currently only HDMI can carry HD audio streams.

Good to know-thanks. I have no idea when I'll actually be able to upgrade my TV room to 21st century technology, but starting with the AVR seems to be the place to start. The trick seems to be spending enough without spending too much.

EDIT: Just snagged the VSX-921-K for $230 + tax from Wally World. No other source was within $70 of that price. Here we go.......

 

[master7045]

Like others have said, the benefit in the low to mid rage receivers is a central switching point for all A/V devices. Most receivers in the sub $500 range have crappy scalers, so when shopping, make sure your receiver has the ability to pass thru an un-altered video signal to your TV. Sometimes the receiver has to be in a full on state for this to work, others have a standby feature where the HDMI pass thru is the only piece active. (Full-on = surround sound speakers. Standby = TV speakers) Also, most receivers nowadays have the ability to convert component to HDMI which is nice. Check out the magazine Sound & Vision or Home Theater as they do a receiver round up and give you the skinny on a lot of receivers out there.

 

[jhansman]

Yes, according to the guy I spoke with at Pioneer, this unit has those features and will only scale composite or component. Also has Control with HDMI, which apparently will let compatible (read Pioneer) components do all kinda fun things via HDMI. I'm going to go study now....