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buying a new receiver for my home theater
boykster:
There was a thread recently...yours even perhaps hulkster....where we threw out AVR with HDMI upconversion for less than $xxx....
I'm pretty sure that an Onkyo was one that was suggested....
I'll be honest, unless you buy a VERY specific model recommendation that has been tested thoroughly by the AV fanatics over at AVS (or other forum), you're rolling the dice on a sub $1000 AVR. And I'm not an audiophile elitist, I'm just saying that it's a fact that the lower end AVR's are built with underpowered and sometimes noisy powersupplies and last years decoding chips, etc. Not saying you won't be satisfied with it, most ppl are, but frankly the difference between run of the mill inexpensive AVR #A and AVR #B is going to be minimal. In this price range, BUY for the feature set you want (in this case 5.1 / 7.1 audio and HDMI switching and cross-conversion), and buy from a place you can return to if you're not happy.
Edited: changed "but" to BUY....duh...
shmokes:
While converting all sources to HDMI is great, you can get the same effect with very little trouble either using the macros on the remote (I'm assuming, but not sure, that the remote that comes with it will do macros), or with a Harmony remote. If you have a Harmony remote the thing pretty much sets itself up. Macros are a pain in the ass to set up, but it'll just take 30 minutes or so and then you'll be set for good.
Anyway, all it means is that you'll have an HDMI and a component cable running to your TV (it will convert composite and s-video to component). Component cables can run all the same resolutions as HDMI and, while native HD content delivered over HDMI might look better than when delivered over component, that's not going to apply to stuff that's been converted from a lesser source. If your PS1 is connected to your receiver via S-video cables, is not going to look any better if it makes it's way to the TV via HDMI than component.
So, all you have to do is set up a Macro, so that when you push the button on your remote that switches the receiver to the inputs the PS2 is on, it ALSO simultaneously switches your TV to component. And when you press the button that switches to your DVD player or PS3 it simultaneously switches your TV back to HDMI. The only thing insult is the mere fact that you have two cables runningbetwen the receiver and TV instead of one. Big effing deal, right?
DrumAnBass:
I have a 2004 Kenwood VR-8070 THX Select receiver that I love. No HDMI or video up-rezing, but it packs a punch and was a great value back in the day. I would think you would be able to snag one of these on eBay for less than $300 today.
Review here: http://www.laaudiofile.com/vr8070.html
They have inexpensive remote controlled HDMI switchboxes if you need that capability.
http://www.meritline.com/4-ports-hdmi-switch.html
hulkster:
okay, so my pioneer receiver has been shipped. im pumped! thanks for the tips guys.
now i need to look at getting some speakers. while the ones i have will work for now, i will need some new ones. do i need buy each speaker (or rather, each couple of speakers) seperately? or do i need to get the "speaker sets" they are offered? im not looking for crazy top of the line stuff...as evident by my $400 receiver purchase....but i do want something that will sound pretty good. any recommendations for good budget speakers? i rarely just blast away on the stereo, and most of the stuff coming out of my home theater is just movies and games at reasonable volume.
ChadTower:
I use mostly Cambridge Soundworks speakers and they perform really well for the price. They sell them on ebay pretty cheap, too. They're supposedly seconds or refurbs but I've never gotten one with an issue I could identify.
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