Why so few inputs? (1 Viewer)

[Jon Krangel]

Lateley i've been pondering something -

Why is it that there are SO many high quality, $1000+ recievers and pre/pros that have at most 6 S-Video inputs? Some have even less, like the Sony DA5ES (4), the JVC 10 (their flagship) (4). The only recievers I know of with more are the three highest end Denons 4802/5800/5803 which are all priced at $2500 and above! To my knowlegde, all other flagship recievers max out at 6, maybe 7. Why the lack of inputs? I can understand the lack of componenet inputs (expense), but not s-video.

 

[John_Lee]

I route everything through my receiver [a throwback to my VisionTouch/90ESG days]. But if I were to venture a guess, I'd say a lot of people route video through the monitor. A receiver is a mechanism for, receiving, processing and delivering audio. Unless you have some form of onscreen menus, a receiver is only a conduit for video. Why risk degrading the video signal by sending it through a superfluous conduit, especially if the TV/Monitor does the switching tasks as well or better.

 

[John Royster]

My 3802 and HDTV are totally full. :frowning:
digital audio included. :frowning:

 

[Camp]

Sounds like it's time to upgrade!

 

[Jon Krangel]

Lol, Camp, unfortunateley it is. And I can understand the quality issue, but again - we are paying in excess of $1000 here. I'm sure they could do it right if they put their mind to it . And also, my situation makes using the TV as a switcher a bit difficult, as my componenets are in a closet far from the tv. Any ideas?

 

[Philip Hamm]

My old Onkyo 919 had a zillion S-video inputs. One was split to the LD and DVD by the companion outboard DD decoder which did S-Video switching also. In addition there was another input on the back, three tape loops with S-Video, and an S-Video on the front making the grand total 7. Whoah. My current pre/pro fits my system very well, I'm using all but two inputs, the Phono (which I would like to use) and the second VCR loop.

 

[PaulKH]

What do you need SO many s-video inputs for!?

I'll try to list some I can think of:

cable

s-video vcr

game system

er, laserdisc?

er, er... could be a DVD player, but component's better

So that's 5 which is a stretch.

I have a 'flagship' receiver, but I only use 2 video inputs (s-video s-vhs vcr, and component for dvd player). My HD Tuner goes direct to a separate component input on the TV and for cable I just use the TV's built-in tuner.

 

[Westly T]

Most people don't have that many video sources, and they want to save money. As a result they make the receivers for "most people" and figure they will get "most" of the sales and save a little on all the units.

 

[Jon Krangel]

Here are all of the sources that I have connected to my receiver (Onkyo 797). Everything is connected via s-video (and component where applicable i.e. DVD) for multi zone viewing or recording:

- DirecTiVo

- S-VHS VCR

- DVD Player

- HDTV STB (not here yet, but a definite future purchase)

- HTPC (no HDTV yet, so s-video)

- Wall outlets (Cables run from one input to a wall plate of jacks with a full array of video/audio connections)

That's 6 right there, and being a long time technology person, I know that you should always have extra (just in case). And with many receivers putting an input on the front, (which is a waste for me, and everyone else with their equipment in a closet/far away rack) there goes another critical input.

Other devices people may have:

- Laser Disc

- Extra VCR (i don't know why, but some people like 2 or more)

- Some are both Dish and DirecTV subscribers (need 2 STB's)

- Digital Cable Box (again, some subscribe to multiple content providers)

I'm sure i'm missing a few devices, but I think there is value in many inputs.

 

[Philip Hamm]

THe front S-Video is for camcorders and/or game machines.

 

[John Royster]

Well...

xbox, ps2, gamecube, dreamcast

VHS

DVD

CD

CD

Cable

DBS

So that's eight video sources, 10 audio sources.

 

[PaulKH]

John R - CD's don't have video.

Jon K wrote:

I'm sure i'm missing a few devices, but I think there is value in many inputs.

Value to some - not to most. I don't consider your setup 'typical' so it seems like you need a high end receiver, or a video switcher. Connections aren't free to add to a receiver. More buttons on the remote maybe, more real estate used on the back of the box, more documentation, etc.

 

[joe logston]

my yamaha rx-v1 receiver haves 5 out puts , and 7 inputs, plus 1 input in the front; total 8 inputs and 5 outputs; on s-vedeo; component vedeo, 3 inputs 1 out put, 4 digital rca inputs, toslink 7 inputs 1 output.