Name a budget AV Receiver w/ PCM Via HDMI and HDMI Upconverting

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Daneger

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Topic # 55956 11-Jan-2010 14:26

I use my PS3 as my decoder, so I am on the hunt for a basic/cheap AV Receiver to accompany him and my HDTV.

Only 2 features I require:
* Capable of taking LPCM over HDMI - for the PS3
* HDMI Upconverting/Repeating ability - Take a component/composite source and output via HDMI to minimise cables... (hopefully I've got the name for this correct).

Can you think of a Receiver that can do this - from what I understand the Onkyo 606 will? I know the 576 is a fav with PS3 owners but it doesnt have the HDMI repeating features Im after.

Any recommendations greatly appreciated.

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Reply # 288966 11-Jan-2010 14:32

HDMI upconversion from composite/svideo in a receiver is seldom any good from what I have tried of a couple. The LCD screen did a much better job.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 288978 11-Jan-2010 15:08

Few months back on Sony's Online Outlet store, you could get HT-IS100 A/V system for $599, that's half of the retail price, and all it is the box has slight "scar".

It works great and love the solid sounds from 3x tiny golf ball-sized speakers.

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Reply # 288979 11-Jan-2010 15:09

yamaha rxv-563
denon avr-1509 http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/amplifiersreceiversprocessors/av-receivers/denon-avr1509home-theatre-rece (if you speak to john tom -boss - he probably could discount it even further)
*disclaimer: please check avsforum.com regarding the features you want. what's printed may have minor fine prints that are only discovered by test freaks)

for example the fine print of the yamaha: the rated output is at a higher THD (total harmonic distortion) is the amp is not powerful to drive loud volumes AND the does not pass deep black and super white: not a problem if your TV isnt the top of the range on though.

not sure what the fine print of the denon is apart from only 2 HDMI in and only 5.1 (but most movies are in 5.1 and i dont see a need to 7 channels - if you do 7 channels then why not 11 you know what i mean). it does not seem to have upconversion but hey - it's not that great and it's a feature i dont use. the rated THD is ok for a small -smallmed lounge. also denon manuals are written by tards - you wont understand it - completely disorganised and unhelpful. but a great amp.

what's wrong with the onkyo 576?

what TV and speakers do you have? if they're not the flashest there is no need to buy the flashiest amps as you correctly identified - it's the features you're after

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Reply # 288980 11-Jan-2010 15:11

john tom also lists here http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Amplifiers-tuners/auction-264757099.htm

chiefie

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Reply # 288981 11-Jan-2010 15:13

Do you have your own set of speakers? or you one an A/V system bundled speakers?

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Reply # 288982 11-Jan-2010 15:15

Yeah the upscaling and output over hdmi would be nice, but as has been mentioned, often doesn't really give great picture quality results on the cheaper equipment. Technology is improving, but more effort is now being put into features that utilise a digital hdmi connection anyway, as this is where everyone is moving.

But yeah, Onkyo, anything over a 576 will do what you're after on the LPCM audio side. I believe the 606 does the analogue video upscaling out over hdmi trick, but the newer models, 706/707? I forget, may do this as well and also all the newer range do HD audio format decoding, which the 576 doesn't. This won't be needed if you stick with a fat PS3 but may be handy if you ever ditch the fat PS3.

richms

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Reply # 288989 11-Jan-2010 15:41

Also often things are left out on the NZ model. Mate was burned by getting a denon that lacked zone 2, upconversion and some other feature that was the norm on the US model that most places reviewed.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 288995 11-Jan-2010 16:08

richms: Also often things are left out on the NZ model. Mate was burned by getting a denon that lacked zone 2, upconversion and some other feature that was the norm on the US model that most places reviewed.

wow really?! which model was that? my denon seems to be fine thankfully! (has exactly everything the US forums said it would have)

richms

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Reply # 288996 11-Jan-2010 16:14

3805 I think it was... long time ago now, but still there is often RDS or switched AC outlets missing off NZ models that other markets get.

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Daneger

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Reply # 289007 11-Jan-2010 16:35

Wow, thanks very much everyone. I didnt expect such a great response in such a short time frame - much appreciated.

joker97: denon avr-1509

I really like the look of this one - may well have to pay them a visit on the weekend.. thanks!

HDMI upconversion from composite/svideo in a receiver is seldom any good from what I have tried of a couple. The LCD screen did a much better job.

After doing a bit more reading it seems this may well be the case, a lot of receivers don't handle the analogue to digital/HDMI output very well and everyone ends up with the black blocks around the screen.

joker97:what's wrong with the onkyo 576?

Only thing wrong with it is the inability to upconvert analouge/component to HDMI.. but as per the above, maybe it's safer to avoid that.

chiefie: Do you have your own set of speakers? or you one an A/V system bundled speakers?

No I don't... YET. That is the second part of the equation, finding a basic set of 5.1.

Also, I have a 50 Inch 1080p Plasma -not a major audiophile so I am not too fussy on the sound, just want to be able to enjoy a nice sounding setup without forking out (ideally) over $1'000 total for the receiver and speakers... Possible?

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Reply # 289860 14-Jan-2010 07:52

Daneger:
Also, I have a 50 Inch 1080p Plasma -not a major audiophile so I am not too fussy on the sound, just want to be able to enjoy a nice sounding setup without forking out (ideally) over $1'000 total for the receiver and speakers... Possible?

of course - there's something called trademe. spend the bulk of the whatever money left over on the 3 front speakers and then a few (tens of) dollars on 2 rear speakers and a cheap sub (sub is to shake the room)

bazzer

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Reply # 289863 14-Jan-2010 08:08

richms: Also often things are left out on the NZ model. Mate was burned by getting a denon that lacked zone 2, upconversion and some other feature that was the norm on the US model that most places reviewed.

On the other hand, our models sometimes have things the US ones don't (e.g. preouts).

richms

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Reply # 289929 14-Jan-2010 12:01

Never seen that happen. Were they in place of a more useful jack on the reciever or in addition to it?

Richard rich.ms

bazzer

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Reply # 289957 14-Jan-2010 12:25

I thought in addition to it. I didn't look to closely since I wasn't getting it from the US. Specifically the Denon 2308. Our (UK?) version has full 7.1 preouts whereas the US version has only subwoofer. We miss out on XM tuner and removable power cable.

No idea if this continued though newer models...

Edit: Same thing with the 2310 it seems...

Jaxson

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Reply # 289985 14-Jan-2010 13:46

Onkyo 576 has a pure direct mode (disables all video processing/handling circuits + mic equalizing setup values etc) on our model but this is not on the American version.

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