Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Hardware › Receivers/Separates/Amps › Receiver audio/video switching question
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Receiver audio/video switching question

post #1 of 16
2/2/10 at 9:03am
Thread Starter 
I want a receiver that will be able to switch between composite, component, and HDMI.  I have DVD (component), Wii (component), PS3 (HDMI), and other composite devices.  I only want to use ONE HDMI cable to connect my TV, eliminating the problem I have now: Changing video input on TV and audio output on receiver for every device.  Is this possible?  Thanks.
Reply
post #2 of 16
2/2/10 at 10:45am
Yes, it is possible.
You'll need a receiver which transcodes the analog video signals to HDMI, so that eliminates most of the least-expensive ones, though.

What's your price range?

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with most of the models available from the various manufacturers. Hopefully other readers can provide some suggestions.

Personally, I bought a Marantz NR1501.  It converts both composite and component to HDMI. It has some significant limitations which might or might not be a problem for you.

1. It's rated at only 50W/channel and has only a 250Watt power supply. This can be a serious limitation if you need to play loud soundtracks in a large room. It has no pre-outs, so external amplifiers cannot easily be used to offload its internal amplifiers.

2. It cannot decompress the lossless DD and DTS HD audio encodings at the same time as it is applying room equalization and other matrix operations. They may need to be decoded to LPCM in the player, depending on how you listen to it.

3. It has no s-video inputs.

Its major advantage is its size: it's only about 4" high.

Reply
post #3 of 16
2/2/10 at 10:46am
Yes, this feature is called "Analog to Digital Upconversion" and is typically listed as part of the "Video" or "Connectivity" specifications for a receiver.

It's a feature that's becoming more and more common, but still hasn't found its way to the lower-end models.  IMO, it's one of the handiest features out there, and a "must have" for me.

Some receivers will upconvert to 1080i and others will upconvert to 1080p.  If you have a 1080p display, it may be best to find a receiver that can upconvert to 1080p to avoid a second step of processing within your TV to convert the 1080i signal from the receiver to 1080p for display.

In the Onkyo receiver line, analog to digital upconversion is available in the 607 model and up.  The 507 and lower models don't have this feature.
Reply
post #4 of 16
2/2/10 at 10:48am
Many receivers will convert different video signal types to a single HDMI monitor output -- my Pioneer Elite 94txh does this, for example. I have a single HDMI cable running from the receiver to my HDTV, and have both HDMI and component video devices connected to the receiver (it will support composite, too, but I no longer have any components that use this type of video connection). I am sure this feature is available on many other brands and models, too.
Reply
post #5 of 16
2/2/10 at 10:49am
Selden & Jason, it looks like we were all typing responses at the same time.
Reply
post #6 of 16
2/2/10 at 10:56am
Scott,

It sure does!

Jason,

A quibble: upconversion usually means that the resolution is converted from standard definition 480i up to one of the high resolutions, often 1080p, these days. AVRs which can do that usually are more expensive than the ones which can only digitize the video and forward it at the same resolution as the incoming signal.

Reply
post #7 of 16
2/3/10 at 5:36am
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but based on what I have gathered so far...

Converting from an analog signal to a digital one such as HDMI is the process of upconversion.  However, that doesn't mean that the video is improved which it is not.  For the video signal to be improved in the process of converting it to digital, you need a receiver that is capable of upscaling. 


Reply
post #8 of 16
2/3/10 at 8:05am


Quote:
Originally Posted by saltinewarrior View Post

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but based on what I have gathered so far...

Converting from an analog signal to a digital one such as HDMI is the process of upconversion.  However, that doesn't mean that the video is improved which it is not.  For the video signal to be improved in the process of converting it to digital, you need a receiver that is capable of upscaling. 

That is correct. A lot of folks get mixed up on the terms upconvert and upscale.
Reply
post #9 of 16
2/3/10 at 12:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the fast responses all!  I got a lot of info I needed.  The terminology was really what I was after.  So let me get this straight:
  • up-converting - process of converting analog signals to digital for output
  • up-scaling - process of converting lower resolution to higher resolution, ie, 720 to 1080, etc... ?

In summary, this is what I need a home theater receiver to do:  www.atlona.com/Atlona-10-input-Switcher-Scan-Converter-with-Single-HDMI-1.3-output-p-17820.html

There are so many receivers out there and many of them do not describe in detail the options I am looking for.  For example, a multi input/output receiver...if I connect my component DVD player, how would I know it is able to output on HDMI ?  Same goes for ALL the inputs I would be using?  

I would be happy with 3 HDMI and 3 component Input receiver, so I would really like some of your suggestions.  I realize that most of these are $500+ and that's ok.  Just nothing over $1,000, I don't need that much quality!!  Also, if you could have a look at a few over at these  sites, it would be great: Look forward to your suggestions!!
~caper

Edited by caper26 - 2/3/10 at 6:31pm
Reply
post #10 of 16
2/3/10 at 6:15pm
The futureshop link doesn't work. You misspelled futureshop...........I went there, but what you want isn't really there.
The only receivers I found on the sites you linked to, with 3 component inputs, are the Yamahas (RXV365, RXV3900, and RXV1900). Only two of those upconvert to HDMI (RXV1900 and RXV3900). They didn't list prices at the Yamaha site, but those two receivers aren't their cheapest, I'm sure.

You'll know if it upconverts by the specs of the receiver. Once you get it, you'll have to tell the receiver to upconvert, in it's setup menus.
Reply
post #11 of 16
2/3/10 at 6:39pm
Thread Starter 
so there are on screen menus for receivers these day? sweet.  I was confused on how the receiver knew which inputs to send to which outputs...for example, if someone wanted to use the HDMI input to HDMI out, and the component IN to the component OUT versus the component IN to HDMI out...

What about the HTR6290B.  Looks like that one does up-converting, no?  But you see what I mean when it isn't really clear on those options, not to me anyway lol.  

I thank you for taking the time to browse the sites and give me some feedback.  I appreciate it!  

I have another question: What do they mean by "Fixed" when they say this for example:
Optical Digital (Fixed) 2
Coaxial Digital (Fixed) 2
Analogue Audio* incl. Phono 6
Component Video (Fixed) 2

Thanks again.
Reply
post #12 of 16
2/3/10 at 8:23pm
The HTR6290B does do upconverting and upscaling. But, it doesn't tell how many component inputs it has. I'll bet that since it's from their economy line (HTR series), it only has two component inputs, instead of the three you want.

I'm not sure what the "Fixed" means. My first thought would be that the input isn't assignable, but I can't see that being the case. If you can download the manual, look through it. It may explain what "Fixed" means.
Reply
post #13 of 16
2/7/10 at 6:53am
Thread Starter 
oh lord.  I had typed everything out a few days ago and I lost the post.  So here goes again!!   I haven't found out what "Fixed" means yet.  After hours of reading, most sites refer to upconverting and upscaling as the same thing, even on wiki.  My TV is a 47LG50 or 47LG55 (same thing, different trim).  It has the "deep color" as well as 24 Hz mode (cinematic?) modes.  Also, I can live with only 2 component inputs.  The 6290 has 2.  Since my DVD player is mostly used for the kiddies, RCA (yellow) will suffice.  I need 2 component, one for Wii and one for HD cable.  I watch HD on my PS3.  One other thing I now need advice on is the following:  Since my TV already upscales, I only require a receiver that does analog-digital conversion.  I found one that only does 480i analog to 480p digital (lower end).  It is the Denon AVR-590.  Here it is: Look on page 9 of the manual.  You can clearly see the conversion in the diagram.  On the first link, click on detailed specifications link and scroll to "Connectivity" and you will see this line: Video Conversion – Analog to HDMI 480i to 480p only.  My theory here is that since my TV will upscale all signals to 1080p, will this receiver be good enough for what I want? 
   My other option is the Denon AVR-790, which converts and upscales all analog to 1080p (vice 480p).  The Yamaha HTR-6290 also does this.  Have a look at the following links: Again, look on page 9.  Also check out page 34.  You can select the resolution you want output to the TV.

So my question is what are the disadvantages to buying the 590, and what are the advantages of buying the 790 or 6290?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
Reply
post #14 of 16
2/7/10 at 8:12am
I'm a big believer in buying the best you can afford. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. That being said, I'd say go for the 790. It has the Anchor Bay VRS advanced analog and digital video upconversion and deinterlacing. That's the same that Oppo uses, and is considered to be one of the best video chips available. That's one reason Oppo is so popular and in demand. Then there's the usual upgraded things like it has an extra HDMI input, a little more power, 7.1 EXT. analog inputs, etc.
Reply
post #15 of 16
2/7/10 at 8:17am
Kev,

Sometimes it can be helpful to have 1080p/60 upscaling available in the receiver.

Some display devices, especially projectors, have sync problems when using long HDMI cables and playing discs which have content that's recorded in more than one resolution and frame rate. Sending them a stable resolution and frame rate can help. I believe most players can do the necessary scaling and frame rate conversion to 1080p/60, though.

Devices which can improve HDMI signalling in difficult situations typically cost between $200 and $300.

If all of your cable runs are short -- 2-3 meters -- you probably won't run into this situation.
Reply
post #16 of 16
2/8/10 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
What about these receivers?: 
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Receivers/Separates/Amps
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Hardware › Receivers/Separates/Amps › Receiver audio/video switching question