New Receiver Just for HDMI??

SawaSun

I just purchased a new Samsung 60" LED television along with a new Blu Ray player to replace a 17 year old CRT TV.
My current audio components are as follows:

Harman Kardon AVR 630 receiver
Harman Kardon FL8550 CD Changer
Monitor Audio Silver Series 9i speakers

I am very happy with the audio quality of this system, especially as a two channel system and the speakers sounded great when playing DVDs.

My Harman Kardon receiver doesn't have any HDMI capabilities (only component and composite) and my new Sony BDP-S185 Blu Ray player only has HDMI and no component video capabilities. I got a great deal on the Blu Ray player and didn't think to research the input/output features. The owners manual indicates that one can connect the Blu Ray player to an AV receiver via an HDMI cable, a coaxial digital cable or red/white/yellow composite cables. Would connecting the Blu Ray player to the receiver via a coaxial digital cable for audio and a yellow composite cable for the video make the video quality just like any regular (non Blu Ray) DVD player? Would it be better image quality wise to connect my old Panasonic DVD Player/Recorder to the tv/receiver via component cables and save the Blu Ray player for the future? Another option is to just connect the new Blu Ray player to the TV via HDMI and ignore the receiver.

I am kind of old fashioned (as you can tell by my equipment and having a TV for 17 years) and a newbie at audio/visual stuff. The HK AVR-630 is 9 years old and I paid a lot of money for it, but I keep reading/hearing that if you don't have a new receiver that has HDMI and all the latest DTS/Dolby processing and video upconversion then you are behind and missing out. I bought the Blu Ray player in order to play Blu Ray's when I get around to buying them and also because I read it would improve/upconvert the image quality of standard DVDs, of which I have many.

My primary preference in a home stereo system is audio quality and I am pleased with how my components match up aurally now. I haven't researched receivers in many years and don't know what it would take $ wise to buy a new or used receiver along the lines of my HK AVR-630, but with HDMI and all the latest home theater stuff.

What would you all do in my situation?

Silverfang2340

Honestly, there are other ways around it, but the easiest thing to do would be to sell that receiver and buy one with HDMI's, then hook the blu-ray player up to the receiver via HDMI, your cd changer can most likely be hooked up through rca cables (white and red) via Left and Right channels. They're not too expensive, even the entry-mid level receivers by HK have HDMI's.

Here's a decent one, lowest price I see brand new is $243 shipped by Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-AVR-1565-5-1-channel/dp/B00548SKH8

polrbehr

WIthout researching your components, I would ask if you can connect from the BDP to your HK via optical (TosLink) cable? I suppose a digital coax might work as well, not sure though.

That's what I did recently, as I was "missing out" on the audio portion of BluRays from a PS3 to my 7 y.o. Denon AVR, also without any HDMI connections at all. I was all set to upgrade to a new AVR for my home theater (much as you are looking to do), but found that most lower end AVRs these days (like under $500) do not have nearly as many inputs/outputs as I would like. In fact, they look downright cheap.
What I ended up doing was simply connecting my PS3 to my Samsung directly with an HDMI cable, and using a optical cable for the audio. Yeah, it isn't the easiest way, but it works, and I didn't have to junk a perfectly good Denon AVR.

Good luck with it, and welcome to Polk.

SawaSun

polrbehr wrote: »

WIthout researching your components, I would ask if you can connect from the BDP to your HK via optical (TosLink) cable? I suppose a digital coax might work as well, not sure though.

The Sony BDP Blu Ray Player has no TosLink/Optical connection. Interestingly, my old Panasonic DVD Player/Recorder does. Could I connect the Blu Ray Player to the TV via HDMI and then also connect an coaxial digital audio cable between the Blu Ray Player and the receiver? Since HDMI is both audio and video in one, would the system get confused if I have use both an HDMI and a coaxial digital cable connection?

kcoc321

IT really depends where you are wanting to upgrade, and how much you want to spend.

Yes, you CAN connect the BRP to the TV via HDMI and connect the BRP to the receiver via digital coax (better than Toslink IMHO anyway) . Granted, you won't get the 'latest-greatest' digital decoding, but your receiver is not that far behind in decoding. What is REALLY good is that your receiver has preouts and also a 6-channel input. There are BR players that have the 6-channel outputs that you could run direct to your receiver.

Since you asked what I would do... IF you were going to spend anymore $$$, I would get the best 2 channel amp you can afford, and make those MA's sing...something around 150-200wpc...given that your receiver is only 70wpc.. that would make the biggest bang for your buck....

Are you considering getting surround speakers? Based on what you posted, you are just running LR's...

Have fun.. it is a blast to explore just how great the music can sound.. even on a limited budget

PS: sorry I was looking up your receivers specs and missed your post...lol

Dennis Gardner

You can get HD video to your TV with component, but HD audio formats (Dolby True HD and DTS Master)are both only available through the HDMI from the BR player you chose. The only other option would be a higher level BR player that has 7.1 analog outputs and run those to your current AVR.

New AVR or new BR player are the only options to get everything in HD.

SawaSun

kcoc321 wrote: »

IT really depends where you are wanting to upgrade, and how much you want to spend.

Yes, you CAN connect the BRP to the TV via HDMI and connect the BRP to the receiver via digital coax (better than Toslink IMHO anyway) . Granted, you won't get the 'latest-greatest' digital decoding, but your receiver is not that far behind in decoding. What is REALLY good is that your receiver has preouts and also a 6-channel input. There are BR players that have the 6-channel outputs that you could run direct to your receiver.

Since you asked what I would do... IF you were going to spend anymore $$$, I would get the best 2 channel amp you can afford, and make those MA's sing...something around 150-200wpc...given that your receiver is only 70wpc.. that would make the biggest bang for your buck....

Are you considering getting surround speakers? Based on what you posted, you are just running LR's...

Have fun.. it is a blast to explore just how great the music can sound.. even on a limited budget

PS: sorry I was looking up your receivers specs and missed your post...lol

Thanks for letting me know that I can connect the BRP to the TV via HDMI and the BRP to the receiver via digital coax. I have surround sound speakers, a center channel and a subwoofer but they are in a storage unit because my current residence's TV area doesn't have the space to accommodate a full 5 channel surround system. How long do you think my current setup should last technology wise? I paid close to $2000 for everything 6 years ago. Here is what I purchased:

Harman Kardon AVR-630 Receiver
Harman Kardon FL-8550 5 Disc CD Changer
Harman Kardon DVD22 DVD Player--only lasted 2 years
Monitor Audio Silver Series 9i Speakers
Cambridge Soundworks P200 Subwoofer
Cambridge Soundworks Newton Series MC50 Center Channel and Surround Sound Speakers
Harman Kardon TD-202 Cassette Deck

teekay0007

Welcome to Club Polk, SawaSun! :biggrin:

Hook your BDP to the TV using the HDMI and either disable the HDMI audio out from your player or, just put the volume for the TV speakers all the way down.
Then, connect your BDP audio to the HK receiver via coax digital connection.

I think that for now you'll be pretty happy with the picture and sound you get - most AVRs, even with HDMI I/O are only repeaters for (HDMI input) video anyway. They can upgrade some video inputs like composite (yellow cable), S-video, or component (3xRCAs) to a better output, but since your concern here is for HDMI 1080P resolution input, the output video quality would be unchanged.

Audio-wise, if you're only running a 2.0 or a 5.1 system, you aren't losing much, if anything, running your BDP audio through your HK AVR by the digital coax. I think you'd only be losing out sound quality-wise if you were trying to run a 7.1 setup without an HDMI connection, or an 8-channel analog connection, from your BDP to your AVR.

I would NOT run out and buy a new receiver without trying it this way first. I think the sound from those HK AVR-630s is pretty sweet. :cool:

If you decide what I mention above isn't good enough for long-term, at least it will hold you over until you can find a suitable replacement and you won't feel rushed when shopping for the next step in your audio/video journey. Good Luck!

kcoc321

SawaSun,
the question of how your system will "last" is an open-ended question. Will it work? Yes. They will still be making BR and DVD's that your current player can read. But without a player that has 5.1-7.1 outputs, you already don't have 'current technology'. I hope I didn't mislead you. But even someone buying a brand new receiver is not 'future-proof'. They are already working on the next generation on codecs. So it is always a race. Just like computers. They make faster/ better programs/ codecs, we all buy new stuff to be able to take advantage of it, then they make newer, we get newer.. never ending circle...

This article might spell out some of it for you.
http://www.twice.com/article/236473-Audio_Formats_Approved_For_Future_HD_Video_Discs.php

Get what you are comfortable/ can afford getting, and enjoy it

tonyb

In a nutshell, for the video portion, you can connect directly to the tv. But if you want the newer surround formats such as DTS Master audio, your going to need a receiver with hdmi since your bdp only has that connection. Now, is those newer surround codecs worth it ? In my opinion....damn straight.

If you like the sound of your HK receiver, stick with that brand and look for a used one to save some coin, that has hdmi. A couple hundies is all it takes.

jbooker82

tonyb wrote: »

Now, is those newer surround codecs worth it ? In my opinion....damn straight.

Yep. I would be after HD Audio even if I was running a 2.0, 2.1, 3.0 or 3.1 sound setup.

Jer.War

No harm in hooking it up and seeing how it sounds. Since your current living situation doesnt allow for your 5.1 setup, maybe just wait till it does and save to by the latest and greatest at that time.

kcoc321

Sawasun, IF you want to go the HDMI, HD DTS codex and all that route, there is a Smokin deal on a Pioneer right now...
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?134425-Pioneer-Elite-VSX-23TXH


then you could (hopefully, based on recent sale on bay) sell your HK on eBay or Ck for a couple hun, and be also even $$ wise

SawaSun

Well, I got all my components connected to the television thanks to all you guys help and when I went to turn on the Harman Kardon AVR-630, it turned off suddenly after three seconds. Kept doing this all day, no matter what the input setting. I think this receiver is now a very heavy paperweight:sad:

I spent the last couple hours researching AVR's in the under $600 price and it seems like they don't build them quality wise like they used to. Newer Harman Kardons are apparently lighter in weight, more complex to use (my AVR-630 is already not the most user friendly) and aren't as good aurally as older models. When I bought my current system, I read how important it is for the receiver, cd player and speakers to "match." Certain brands of receivers are warm, some are bright etc and that goes for speakers. What brands of receivers of than Harman Kardon would pair up well with a Harman Kardon FL8550 CD Changer and Monitor Audio Silver 9i speakers?

My primary priority is audio quality (crisp, clear sound that brings out instruments, not interested at all in bass) and secondary would be the HDMI and video stuff. The easier to operate, the better, but sadly most receivers today seem overly complex.

I'm feeling a little reluctant to go out and spend $600 on a new receiver if it won't last mechanically or will become outdated fast. I'm also hesitant to buy a used few years old receiver with HDMI that had a high MSRP because you can't test it out to know if all the channels/connections are working properly.

I have a top of the line Yamaha RX-V870 AVR receiver from the early 1990's in a storage unit that works flawlessly. How do you all think it would pair up with my HK CD Changer and Monitor Audio Speakers? It has Dolby Surround and Dolby Pro Logic but nothing Digital like Dolby Digital or DTS. No digital coaxial audio as well, but apparently, it's one of the best receivers Yamaha made in the 1990s. I used it to power bookshelf speakers and a cd changer before my current system. I'm thinking I could use this receiver for a while if it matches up well with my speakers and cd changer and then wait until a 5 star good audio quality, affordable, reliable and easy to use current technology receiver comes out.

I was very happy with the sound quality but not the reliability of the AVR-630. How much would I need to spend on a new receiver to match the sound it produced?

Sorry for rambling on, but sometimes all this audio visual stuff can be frustrating.

kcoc321

SawaSun...
You need to recheck all your connections... I think you have something crossed up....

If you can't find the problem then I would start with unplugging everything except the power to the receiver, and turn it on and see if it goes into protection mode. If it works then move on to plugging in one thing at a time, and test..

IF that does not work, You probally could use that Yammy for a while, but that is a pretty big step backwards

But Realy, IMHO, you should consider buying the Pioneer Elite AVR from VR3 I linked you earlier..
he is a well respected member here, and you can buy from him with more confidence that if you bought new.
For $280 you can't go wrong That would get you up and running.