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Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

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Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Old 07-28-18, 01:06 PM
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Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Our tuner is very old (maxes out at 5.1 DD/DTS) and while it still works, it only has a couple HDMI inputs. Our TV is a 4K, only a few years old, but it only has 2 HDMI inputs. We're trying to run the HTPC, Switch, WiiU, PS3, classic Nintendo systems, Bluray player, etc all in the same rig and we're currently having to swap out the connection every time we change systems.

Is there a tuner that's going to have a lot of HDMI ports that won't break the bank? We're in a condo, so we don't need the whole 7.1 thing, just something with lots of input options.

If that's not feasible, then are there any good HDMI switchers that don't degrade the signal?
Old 07-28-18, 05:15 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Not sure I understand Milo - are you looking only for an HDMI switch, or are you looking for a receiver that won’t break your bank? What’s your price range? If you have a 4K TV, I wouldn’t even look at switches since you’re not utilizing the 4K at all with your current receiver. Most receivers these days, even lower ended models will have several HDMI inputs for 3-4 devices to plug into.
Old 07-28-18, 05:23 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

I’d rather upgrade the tuner, forgot to mention we’d also like a Bluetooth connection. Is that even a thing?
Old 07-28-18, 05:55 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Yep, it is. Check out most any 5.1 receiver. I like Pioneer and Denon. This is a good one for example:
Pioneer VSX-531 5.1-Channel AV Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth
Amazon Amazon
Old 07-28-18, 05:58 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

This is a good Denon - well, just all of them are.

Denon AVRS530BT 5.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver
Amazon Amazon
Old 07-28-18, 07:09 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

That Denon does look good, that may be what we need.

Thanks all, I'll update if we make the upgrade.
Old 07-29-18, 03:12 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

What is your budget?
Do you intend to watch UHD disks?
How much power do you need to drive your speakers?
Old 07-30-18, 09:16 AM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Never heard a receiver be called a tuner before
Old 07-30-18, 01:21 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Originally Posted by fumanstan
Never heard a receiver be called a tuner before
It's an old term.
Old 07-30-18, 04:14 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Originally Posted by fumanstan
Never heard a receiver be called a tuner before
Originally Posted by melasnus
It's an old term.
Yeah, I'm showing my age a bit...

The $200-$250 range is probably what we're hoping to spend. Like I said, we're in a condo (and will be for a long time) so we're not interested in doing a high-end 7.1 speaker set up, we're only running 5.0 right now (Yahama receiver and B&W speakers) but we need something a little better.
Old 08-04-18, 04:12 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Originally Posted by melasnus
It's an old term.
It's still used. Never really looked to see if receivers have an input labeled TUNER, but integrated amps still do. Since integrated amps don't have tuners you can run L/R RCA cables from TAPE OUT of a receiver and plug it into TUNER of the amp to have radio. You can completely slave one receiver to another but only for L/R stereo purposes.
Now I'm curious if you can slave two HDMI receivers through HDMI. Say you have two receivers with 4 HDMI inputs each. Plug four components into one receiver, run HDMI out to second receiver. Plug three more components into second receiver, run HDMI out of second receiver to tv. Now you have seven components hooked up to tv through one HDMI of the tv.
Old 08-04-18, 04:56 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

I'd say the majority of receivers have a tuner input, particularly on the nicer models.
Old 08-05-18, 05:45 AM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Originally Posted by PhantomStranger
I'd say the majority of receivers have a tuner input, particularly on the nicer models.
A tuner input is no different than any aux input, just wonder if they label it TUNER.
Old 08-05-18, 10:02 AM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

My Onkyo still has an input labeled tuner. But I think the response about it being an old term was to me saying I haven't heard of it being used interchangeably with receiver, not just that the term itself wasn't used.
Old 08-05-18, 11:10 AM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

I guess I call it a tuner because I’ve always grown up with receivers that had radio tuners built in so in my mind they’re interchangeable. One of the first “hacks” I ever remember for A/V stuff was when we discovered the local NBC affiliate broadcast their signal at the bottom of the FM frequencies so my dad would turn on the tuner when we were watching shows on that channel and crank it through our big speakers. You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced Mama’s Family in glorious HiFi stereo.


But this may be a moot discussion as we’ve been playing with our current Yamaha a bit more and we’ve been able to reassign some inputs and get more stuff going through it.

One more question though, if I get a 4K player, will it still work with the old receiver, just down converting it?

Last edited by milo bloom; 08-06-18 at 09:56 PM.
Old 08-05-18, 05:53 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Originally Posted by milo bloom
One more question though, if I get a 4K player, will it still work with the old receiver, just down converting it?
Yes, the 4K player would just downrez the signal to 1080p when it goes through the old receiver.
Old 08-05-18, 09:46 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

OK, maybe we do need to proceed- I was showing my son Jurassic Park for the first time off Netflix tonight and we were getting audio dropouts frequently and it’s happened before.

I’m thinking our old Yamaha just can’t handle the full signal anymore. Do you all think a new one might help with this issue?
Old 08-06-18, 06:57 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

How are you streaming? TV app? Roku?
Old 08-06-18, 09:57 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Sometimes the tv app, sometimes through the HTPC.
Old 08-06-18, 10:05 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Yeah, mostly likely your receiver is just past its prime. I’m guessing your receiver (tuner? I use that same term as well) is more than 5 years old, so a refresh will more than likely resolve those dropouts.

As an aside, I’m guessing you have newer HDMI cables? Cheap ones often will result in stuff like sound and audio dropouts.
Old 08-07-18, 02:58 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

We only get the dropouts when doing streaming, so I'm guessing that's it. We just use whatever cables came with each thing, but nothing else has the issue.

thanks
Old 08-08-18, 02:36 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

I finally upgraded my probably 20-year-old receiver not long ago. I went from having no HDMI inputs to having eight! It was a great choice. I can really hear a difference in the sound, and it's so nice to now only having to worry about one cable for each device rather than having an HDMI for video and optical for audio. I still have a rat's nest of cables, but at least it's a lot smaller now.

I've always been a Yamaha guy, so I would recommend looking at some of their offerings. Monoprice often carries some Yamaha receivers, ones not as high end. Not sure how their prices would compare with other places but might be worth a look.

Last edited by clckworang; 08-10-18 at 10:15 AM.
Old 08-08-18, 03:42 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

We have a Yamaha now and it serves us pretty well. I wouldn't mind staying with the brand.
Old 08-08-18, 03:53 PM
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Re: Need new hardware: new tuner and/or HDMI switcher

Originally Posted by clckworang
I finally upgraded my probably 20-year-old receiver not looking ago. I went from having no HDMI inputs to having eight! It was a great choice. I can really hear a difference in the sound, and it's so nice to now only having to worry about one cable for each device rather than having an HDMI for video and optical for audio. I still have a rat's nest of cables, but at least it's a lot smaller now.
You're were lucky. Usually sound and video won't sync because the HDMI is processing the video faster than optical processes the audio.

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