Receiver recommendation?

[dwell]

I have an Onkyo TX-SR501 that I'm starting to hit my head on, mainly because I've purchased a HDTV since, and now have a ton of new inputs, mainly HDMI.

I am looking at potentially having the following setup in the next month.

Cable box -> HDMI
PS3 -> HDMI
360 -> HDMI
PC -> DVI/HDMI

I am looking at receivers but only see 2 - 3 HDMI ins being the norm.

I was considering the Onkyo TX-SR601 but have heard some bad things about it processing video over HDMI, even though it's pass-through only.

I can live with less than four HDMI ins, as I can plug at least two into the TV directly and pipe the audio out over S/PDIF or digital coax.

How do most people deal with input hell and what's a good receiver < $500 MSRP?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Have you thought about just adding an HDMI switch?

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Have you thought about just adding an HDMI switch?

I have. Do they work well, as in flawless pass-through?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Chris

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Have you thought about just adding an HDMI switch?

I have. Do they work well, as in flawless pass-through?

I haven't used one, but I've read good things about several of them.

Example: http://www.oppodigital.com/hm31/

If you're looking for Onkyo receivers with HDMI features though, the X05 series is a lot more advanced than the 601 you're looking at.

If you do get one, make sure you get one from a reputable dealer so you could do an exchange in case you get a bad unit like some people have.

The 605 or 705 would get you audio over HDMI and give you 2-3 HDMI inputs. If you find a good deal on a 705, it might fit into your budget. Otherwise a 605+switch should work.

 

[krotchy]

I agree the 605/705 are much better choices than the 601. Also both will not mess with HDMI video within the receiver at all and can do 1080p HDMI passthrough with audio processing.

Ideally if you got a Onkyo 705, you could do PS3, 360 and Cable via HDMI to the Onkyo for Audio Processing and video pass through to HDMI 1 on the TV, then take the HTPC and plug that directly into the TV on the 2nd input since it is using DVI->HDMI and has no audio.

Your other option is just getting an HDMI switch from monoprice or similar. They make 4->1 switches that take an IR signal so you might be able to get them to work with the right Universal Remote (or the included remote obviously)

Im not really sure what other companies have 2/3 HDMI ports with audio processing, but they often tend to be more expensive than the 605/705, but you might find a good deal. I know Denon has a couple great models that have similar features to the Onkyo's but I doubt they will be found for your budget.

I personally opted for the 705 due to the feature upgrades over the 605 (THX Select2 Cert, Audissey Multi-EQ, 3rd HDMI, Extra Digital Ins, Blue Light, Powered Zone 2 etc.). It was a bit higher than I intended to spend initially but I haven't looked back since I bought it. Its terrific.

 

[SlickSnake]

Just get a silver or black fire extinguisher to match the receiver for the fire and hell, and you are good to go! :roll:

 

[dwell]

Thanks guys. I am now leaning towards the 605. The 705 sounds fantastic but it's a bit outside the budget and the fact is I only have a 5.0 setup (haven't gotten a sub yet) so I don't want to invest too much on a receiver with bells and whistles I may not use, but If I catch a deal I will jump on it.

Looks like I'll need a HDMI switch regardless. I really wish these things came with a slew of HDMI ports, like PCs these days have lots of USB ports. I guess it's a new technology so you got to give it time.

What's the best place to buy Onkyo? I usually do everything through Amazon.

 

[vi edit]

Is it absolutely necessary to have the cable box on HDMI? You should be able to component and then process it over HDMI with with the 605/705.

It's not like they are outputting at 1080p and you'll lose it over component.

 

[dwell]

Yeah, I have a lot of options. I also have three HDMI ports on my TV, so I could send the PC right to the TV being the audio is not traveling over DVI->HDMI. Between five HDMI ports on the TV and four digital audio ins on the 605, I should be able to get away without a switch. Now all I need is the money to pay for all this

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What kind of speakers do you have? I think if you're subless, spending your budget on a subwoofer and plugging sources directly into your TV via HDMI or Component and just leaving the receiver for audio only would put you in a better situation for your final system vs. replacing the receiver.

 

[dwell]

I have four Paradigm Atoms and whatever the matching center was for them. I really don't want a sub right now, it may sound weird but I'm not into big booming sound. Would I be better off just getting a cheaper receiver?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Chris
I have four Paradigm Atoms and whatever the matching center was for them. I really don't want a sub right now, it may sound weird but I'm not into big booming sound. Would I be better off just getting a cheaper receiver?

Atoms shouldn't be too bad on their own. It could be a lot worse

Rather than "booming", a good sub should blend with the sound you're already getting and just extend it lower.

How much of a difference it would make depends on what you're listening to / your room / your preference though.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: krotchy
I agree the 605/705 are much better choices than the 601. Also both will not mess with HDMI video within the receiver at all and can do 1080p HDMI passthrough with audio processing.

--snip-o--

make sure that it is HDMI input then HDMI out, however. the 605 will down-convert any component signal coming into the receiver and output through HDMI. say, if you wanted to hook up your STB via component, the 1080i signal would be output from the receiver as 720p over HDMI. But. like others have said and you are planning anyway, just stick to HDMI overall and you should be fine.

I'm pretty sure the 705 and above do not do this, however.

 

[krotchy]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: krotchy
I agree the 605/705 are much better choices than the 601. Also both will not mess with HDMI video within the receiver at all and can do 1080p HDMI passthrough with audio processing.

--snip-o--

make sure that it is HDMI input then HDMI out, however. the 605 will down-convert any component signal coming into the receiver and output through HDMI. say, if you wanted to hook up your STB via component, the 1080i signal would be output from the receiver as 720p over HDMI. But. like others have said and you are planning anyway, just stick to HDMI overall and you should be fine.

I'm pretty sure the 705 and above do not do this, however.

605/705/805 have identical video processing.

Also to clarify about component sampling/downsampling:

HDMI In -> HDMI Out (Untouched!)
1080p=1080p
1080i=1080i
720p=720p
480p=480p

Component In -> Component out (Untouched!)
1080p=1080p
1080i=1080i
720p=720p
480p=480p
480i=480p

Component In -> HDMI Out (ONLY Processing Occurs on this A to D)
1080p = Does Not Work
1080i = 720p
720p = 720p
480p = 480p or 720p (upscale)
480i = 480p or 720p (upscaled)

Basically if you have a component and HDMI cable from reciever to TV you will have no conversion going on if you dont do the A to D (Component to HDMI)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yeah, you have to step up to the 875 to get the REON video processing to get rid of the 720p limitation on conversion of other video types to HDMI output.