Decided on H/K receiver....next question.....

Bolt

After thinking about it and listening some more, I have decided to go with the Harmon Kardon over the Pioneer. I just love the sound it gives out. As some of you know, I have been looking at the AVR245. My main reason for that is the HDMI hook ups. Right now being a newb and just starting out I have a 43" Hitachi Projection that isn't even H/D. Within a year I have in my plans to go either Plasma or LCD which will take care of the H/D problem. What my question is.....is the HDMI necessary in an AVR? Will it make life easier? Or will I not miss it if I never had it? There is only one shop in my area that carries H/K and they have a hard time keeping the AVR245 on the shelf. They are offering it at a price that can't be beat even on the internet. They say that they should be placing an order soon on it. But that is never a gaurantee. They won't put me on a waiting list or call me when they come in. It's a crap shoot. Soooo.....I'm thinking going with a different H/K receiver without the HDMI....will that limit me to upgrading components in the future?

Someone, please explain HDMI to me....I still can't grasp it

Sorry for the long post....but tons of questions keep flooding my mind when I think about this stuff still. Thanks all.

dgt2n

Unless you're limited by the number of HDMI inputs on the back of your TV, there's no compelling reason to route HDMI cables through the receiver, (besides I guess not having to run separate audio cables, which isn't a big deal at all).

Ricardo

Agree; I even like the idea of getting the HDMI directly into the TV vs. through additional electronics; might make no difference, but that's the way I see it.

I'll let others explain HDMI...fo me, it just means a special connector that feeds digital video and audio; as far as I know, all components that have HDMI output, still have individual audio outputs (coax or optical), so you don't really NEED and AVR with HDMI, as long as your TV has as many HDMI/DVI inputs as components with HDMI you want to hook. (You can use a HDMI/DVI adaptor).

Welcome to the forum.

Poee7R

HDMI transfers both digital video and sound, where DVI just carries the video signal. Both should be equal in video xfer to my understanding. Personally i dont like to route my video signal through my receiver, ive always believed in a simple path.

Example would be, DVD video directly to monitor. Nothing else in the line give me the perception of a cleaner signal going from one to another. If you take it to your receiver then that receiver must also transfer the signal, thereby giving a chance for more distortion or coloration if you would. So for me it's simple connections.

Dave

tonyb

It is a bit confusing eh.HDMI is one cable able to cary audio and HD video.
As far as needing it in a receiver.....you really don't...not now anyway.
What you do need....a digital cable box or dish.One HDMI cable to go from your box to your TV.Digital optical cable from box to receiver.Done.Now if you want a HD dvd player then things will change a bit.Since you are not looking to upgrade your TV for a year,then don't bother with a receiver with HDMI.Lots of new stuff comeing out this year.Do a search here on HDMI and you will find all you need to know.Will this limit you to upgrading in the future?
Yes...but you can always sell and buy new.The state of HD and componants that can pass a 1080p signal with the new audio formats are somewhat in a state of flux right now.Hold off on spending big dough on a receiver as it will soon be outdated....hence the price drops you see everywhere.If all you want this moment is DD 5.1- 6.1 -7.1,Then knock yourself out

jakelm

What speakers do you have? That may make a dieerence in the reciever as well..

Jake

danger boy

your next TV will probably have HDMI connections... so if that is important to you.. i'd get a receiver with HDMI. there is also component video.. three cables of video.. more cumbersome.. but beautiful picture quality as well.

Bolt

Thanks for the replies guys. It helps out. I guess what it comes down to is that I am not sure what I want. I'm gonna have to do a little more research on what I want. Because I'm figuring that HDMI should be the way to go for future upgrading.

Tony....how do you mean the state of HD passing 1080p being in flux? It has been around for a bit. Are they thinking of changing it?

Jake....I have Polk RM6750 home theater speakers

tonyb

Bolt,it's a bit screwy right now.Ok,hdmi has 2 versions 1.1 and the new 1.3.in cable selection.HD TODAY,is mostly 1080i,with some newer sets now claiming to display 1080p.Problem is,no one is broadcasting in 1080p and no receivers can pass that signal.The only way to get HD 1080P as of right now is to get a HD DVD player.Next problem,the new HD DVD's also have a new audio part to it that is better than dolby digital or dts.Too bad no receiver as of now can decode it.Even some of the HD DVD players can't decode it.The HDMI CABLES 1.1 can't decode it.Catching the drift so far?So,if you want HD1080i,then all you need is a HD tv,HD cable or dish,standard hdmi cable,and a dolby digital receiver.If you want HD 1080p,better picture,You need a tv that can display 1080p,Hd dvd player,or some like blue ray better.If you want the new audio formats to go thru a receiver,then wait,none out yet.Do alittle research so you don't buy something that will soon be useless.Correct me if I am wrong other polkies,but I believe thats the status so far.

LuSh

Alot of mis-information being thrown about.

1. There are a number of AV receivers that can pass-thru 1080p signals today.

2. There have been 4 versions of HDMI. Ver 1.0/1.2/1.2a and the upcoming 1.3 which was just released and introduced with the Sony Playstation 3.

3. Some company's have incoporated very high end scalers from companies like Farouja and ABT to scale all incoming signals. A 480i component signal being sent from DVD to receiver then to television and scaled up to 720p/1080i via HDMI can actually outperform a 480p signal going directly from a DVD player now. The de-interlacers and scalers in some AVR's are better then what are in most of today's televisions and DVD players.

3. True HD and Dolby Digital Plus CAN be decoded today via HDMI. Provided the source player (HD DVD or Blu Ray) has the decoder built in some of today's AVR's can accept and pass thru totally uncompressed LPCM audio.

tonyb

Not trying to be a smart ****,but which avr's exactly are you talking about?
What model DVD player decodes true HD OR DD+ ?
Just curious thats all.

LuSh

Toshiba's HD DVD players have decoders built in, as does the PS3.

Denon 2807 upcoming 3807 and 4807 as well as the Yamaha RX-V2700 receiver can scale and pass thru uncompressed LPCM. I can only assume Sony ES, Marantaz 8*** series and Poineer Elite stuff can as well.

TennesseeOutlaw

If you could afford it I would look into a H/K AVR 7300.. I think they have discontinued this unit, but it can still be had online. i.e. Onecall.com This unit has HDMI, as well as, it utilizes Farjouda Upconversion. It will take a 420i and up it to "P". Im no expert on this, but Im sure if you check it out you'll see what Im talking about.