Axiant

Receiver features & suggestions

Hello! I'm new here and have a question regarding receivers.

I am currently using a receiver that's very old, a Sony STR-DE835, so I've been out of the loop for quite some time.

Do any of the new receivers offer any sound normalizing, meaning that if a loud scene comes on during a movie, it will adjust the volume to a more normal level and vice versa with quiet scenes, or is there something that can be connected to a receiver to accomplish this?

Also, I have a Playstation 3 as a Blu-ray player and am wondering exactly what sound technologies are the must-have these days.

I'm looking for one with at least 2 HDMI inputs, but 3 or 4 would be even better. Any suggestions on a few receivers that will fit the bill? The budget would be somewhere under $600.

Thanks for your help!!

John Brill

Re: Receiver featuring sound normalizing

My Yamaha receiver (RX-V series) has a "silent" option that attempts to do just that. I've tried it once or twice (when the kids were sleeping) and found it very annoying due to lag time issues. I found it much more useful to program my remote to change volume levels by +/- 5db level increments and controlling it myslef.

chuckg

Re: Receiver featuring sound normalizing

I've used features like that on various receivers, and found them all to be lacking. None of them compress the signal enough. I'd like such a feature to even out the sound for all the folks who hate turning up the sound to hear the dialog, then turning it back down when the action is too loud.

That would be a useful and significant addition to new equipment, in my book.

--ignore the man behind the curtain

Axiant

Re: Receiver featuring sound normalizing

Alright, good to know! So do you think an Onkyo TX-SR605 would be a good receiver for my needs?