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Need Advice on a 2-zone receiver

#31
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8/20/09 at 8:42am
  • Joined: April 1999
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The TV will upconvert anything not already upconverted by the source devices or the receiver.  So no, there isn't value, unless the processing chip is substantially better than the one in the TV, which isn't likely in the inexpensive models.  It's a 3 way contest between video processing chips (TV vs. receiver vs. DVD/Tivo), and differences won't usually be much.  Marketers like to hype this because most people don't really understand that the TV already upconverts, also because they don't understand that "upconversion" doesn't really *add* anything to the picture, it certainly doesn't increase sharpness, make SD anything close to HD.  It's more a battle of what *does least damage* in zooming the picture to fill the screen.  For best picture quality stick to HD sources, HD channels on the Tivo, Blu-rays for movies.

Don't chase these silly features that make little/no difference, the Bravia sync/upconversion.  The biggest difference you can make with your equipment set is to *get real speakers for TV/movie viewing*.  Do this before anything else.  Upgrade to a 2 zone receiver if you need different music outside from what is playing inside, without reverting to TV speakers.
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#32
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8/21/09 at 3:55am
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I understand Bravia Sync has one touch button to turn on a Sony DVD player automatically but does it also power off the DVD and switch back to another HDMI input?  I am reading that it would shutdown both DVD and TV. 

Would Bravia Sync automatically turn on/off if Sony DVD is directly connected to Sony TV via HDMI?  Or do you need a Sony Receiver for Bravia Sync?

Please let me know.  Thanks.
  
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#33
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8/21/09 at 9:43am
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- you don't necessarily need Sony equipment to use Bravia Sync features.  HDMI-CEC is supposed to be cross-platform.  Just maybe a bit lower chance of bugs with Sony equipment, but certainly not enough for me to choose Sony if I wanted a different device for other reasons.

- it doesn't "turn on the DVD automatically".  You turn on the DVD which turns on the TV automaticaly & switches inputs.  It turns *off* the DVD automatically if you turn off the TV.

- the receiver as I said before would add absolutely nothing in your situation with TV speakers only.  The DVD & TV communicate just fine in the absence of a receiver if directly connected.

Why are you so fascinated with Bravia Sync?  It is practically worthless.  A universal remote accomplishes all of it & much more in a much more useful, controllable way, & doesn't depend on HDMI and the equipment to have the feature, works with older receivers, switches, DVD players, etc.

Edited by Stephen Tu - 8/21/09 at 10:02am
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#34
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8/25/09 at 3:45am
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I am no longer interested in Bravia as I have finally received I don't need to purchase a receiver in my current setup. 

I went ahead and purchased an Oppo HM-31 HDMI switch.  When I press power on the DVD, it switches from Tivo to DVD and then back to DVD player when I turn the power off.  A bit of a delay but I like how this works.

However, I was also using the Digital Audio Cable into an Onkyo Receicer at the same time I have Tivo connected to HM-31 switch.  I liked having the Audio running to my outdoor speakers.

This worked fine until I added the HDMI switch.  Now when I turn off the Sony TV, it somehow turns off the Tivo Audio running to the outdoor speakers.   I can't understand why this is hapenning since this has nothing to do with the TV.

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#35
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8/25/09 at 10:51am
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It's probably some HDCP handshake thing, with that switch Tivo thinks HDMI is active and can't establish communication.  Arguably shouldn't disable audio but so it goes ...

I would try:
- analog connection instead of optical
- switching using the receiver instead of the Oppo switch, does this fix it?
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#36
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8/25/09 at 2:14pm
  • Joined: October 2002
  • Location: Houston, TX
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Maybe this receiver will work for you (MSRP $299):

Sherwood RX-5502 Multi-Source/Dual-Zone 400 Watt Stereo Receiver

Based on skimming through its downloadable manual, it looks like it can play one source & power a pair of speakers in one room, and it can play a 2nd source via another pair of speakers at the same time. It also includes a phono input.

I read your first post where it said you were just using the TV's speakers, but I gotta tell you, ANY external pair of speakers would sound sooooo much better than those and IMO can really add to the enjoyment of a movie. And if that TV's speakers are like many flatscreens' speakers I have listened to, using even a pair of small budget speakers will result in much-improved dialog clarity. For example:

Sony SS-B1000 - I've listened to these not-unattractive little bookshelfs with a 5.25" woofer using my own CDs (I also made sure the demo system's receiver was set to "flat" and no surround options were activated) and while they aren't audiophile quality of course, found them to sound pretty decent (I am surprised they are so inexpensive actually) and especially, not tinny or harsh like truly cheap speakers can be. I actually liked them better than the nearby Polks which I personally found to be overly bright and strident.

MTX Monitor 5i - another black/unassuming small bookshelf with a 5.25" woofer. Personally I've found most MTX speakers I have listened to to not be exactly super-refined, but they make up for that with a lively/punchy (but not harsh) personality which can sound good with bass-heavy rock & pop music and movie soundtracks.

Infinity Cascade Model Three V - made especially for flatscreens....though they cost just a tad more than the above speakers. They only reach to about 80Hz but what they *do* have should sound excellent, plus they look awesome, something you usually only see in an architectural magazine.
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#37
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8/25/09 at 2:23pm
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When I am not using the HDMI switch, I can have HDMI via Tivo and then the Digital cable running audio at the same time.  When I plug in the HDMI switch is when this does not work.  I then tried the white and red cables with the HDMI switch connected.

I can get the Tivo playing inside and then speakers working outside with red/white cable but the speakers turn off when I turn the TV off.  I was hoping to turn the inside TV and just play audio outside from the Tivo.

I am thinking of trying this again with component cables.  Which colors (red, blue, gree) would I connect from Tivo to receiver just for the audio?
 
Please let me know.  Thanks.

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#38
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8/25/09 at 7:13pm
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Component cables are for video only.  You'd have to connect them to your TV for the video, that would eliminate the HDMI handshaking issue.  But you'd have to run cable through wall, you already said this is a problem?

How about *using the Onkyo receiver as the switch*, do not connect the Oppo at all.  Tivo HDMI into Onkyo, HDMI out to the TV.  Can you get sound with the TV off then?
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#39
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9/7/09 at 5:02am
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I can get my Tivo HD connected to my TV (HDMI) and receiver working fine.  It will pass the audio to both the TV and receiver at the same time with the Digital Audio Port on "Opt1"

However, when I turn off the TV the Tivo is no longer sending the Tivo audio to my receiver/outdoor speakers.  Why is that hapenning?  There are times when I would want to have my indoor TV turned off and just have the Tivo audio outside on the speakers.

I thought the Tivo is an "always on" device so how would the TV effect this.

Please let me know.  Thanks.

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#40
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9/7/09 at 7:48pm
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When TIvo has an HDMI connected, and fails to get a proper handshake, apparently it shuts of the optical audio.

I'm getting confused by your posts.  I thought you said it worked fine without the Oppo switch?
Please answer the following questions:

1. Connect Tivo HDMI directly to TV, no intervening switch/audio receiver for the HDMI.  Optical to receiver.  This works with TV off?

2. Connect Tivo HDMI to the Onkyo receiver, and receiver's HDMI "monitor out" to the TV.  Still optical for the audio.  This works or not with the TV off?
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#41
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9/8/09 at 4:44am
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1. This does not work.  While connecting Tivo directly to TV via HDMI and optical to recevier, it will shut off the outside speakers when the TV is turned off.

2. I can't connect HDMI to the receiver because mine (Onkyo SR505) does not support HDMI audio apparently.

However, I disconnected the HDMI cable from Tivo to TV and I can get the outside speakers working just fine.
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#42
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9/8/09 at 11:13am
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You can connect HDMI to receiver, just need to still have optical for the audio portion.
Try this:
1. Connect Tivo to "HDMI 2", DVD to "HDMI 1" (or swapped, just swap the number in the rest of this).  Assign HDMI 2 to "VCR/DVR", HDMI 1 to "DVD"
2. HDMI monitor out to TV.
3. Connect Tivo optical to an optical in.  Assign this optical in to "CD".

Then try:
- on receiver select "VCR/DVR", then "CD".  Turn off TV and see if still get sound.
- on receiver select "DVD", then "CD". sound or not?

If this doesn't work, I think you'll have to run a component video line to avoid this HDMI nonsense.  If it does work we can try a few more things to simplify source switching.

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