This thread is to be a flame-free news depot and discussion of current HDMI receivers.

Onkyo 505

Onkyo 604- http://onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-S...s=Receiver&p=i

Features:

7.1 capable / 90 watts per channel
HDMI 2 Input / 1 Output, 1080p bandwith (ver. 1.1)
Composite and S-Video to Component Video Upconversion

Audio Formats:

DTS, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6,
Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital EX, Digital Dolby ProLogic IIx
WILL pass uncompressed PCM via HDMI

Onkyo 605

Yamaha

TBC

Picture Gallery:

[b]Onkyo 604[b]

Front



Back

Reserved

Feel free to help me put some of this info in the lead post

I've had two Onkyo's and have loved them, and I am seriously considering getting one of these new ones.

I'm trying to remember what the issue was with not having HDMI 1.3.

Right now I have a 2nd-gen HD-DVD player and a 1st-gen Blu-Ray player, neither of which have 1.3. Will I still be able to take full advantage of TrueHD, DTS-HD and PCM via HDMI if I get one of these receivers?

Depends what you mean by "full advantage". If you want those specific codecs, the Onkyo 605 and up will decode DTS-MA and DD-HD.

Azur 640R 7.1 HDMI AV Receiver
Josh, question:

the Onkyo 605 and up will decode DTS-MA and DD-HD.

Does this Camrbride audio reciever below decode DTS-HD AND TRUE DD as well?

I'm confused, as all these recievers including the onkyo don't menstion DTS-HD AND TRUE-DD, is that because it's the dvd-hd players job to decode that, and the reciever recieves DTS-HD-TRUE HD, but it will it menstion it on the AV reciver? or just refer to it as dolby digital and not TRUE DD or DTS-HD?


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http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summar...0AV%20Receiver

SPECS
Power Output: 2 x 120 watts rms per channel, 8 ohms (two channels driven)
7 x 100 watts rms per channel, 8 ohms (all 7 channels drivel)
THD: <0.006% @1kHz
Crosstalk: <-60dB @ 1kHz
Frequency Response: 10Hz -20kHz - 1dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: >90dB ‘A’ weighted
Decoding formats: PCM, Dolby EX, DTS ES, DTS Matrix/Discrete, PLII/ PLIIx, DTS Neo:6 all in 5.1/6.1 or 7.1 variants
Audio Inputs: 8 line analogue, tuner (FM/AM), 7.1 analogue input, 5 digital coaxial, 6 digital optical
Video Inputs: 5 composite, 5 s-video, 3 component video, 3 HDMI
Audio Outputs: 7 amplified speaker outputs, 7.1 preamp outputs
Video Outputs: 1 composite, 1 s-video, 1 component video, 1 HDMI
Recording Audio outputs: 2 line level analogue, 2 digital coaxial, 2 digital optical
Recording video outputs: 1 composite, 1 s-video
Connections: 1 1/4" / 6.35mm headphone output,
Control bus input/output, 1 IR emitter In, 1 RS232C, 1 IEC type mains inlet
Audio input impedance: 47kOhms/175mV or greater
Digital input impedance: 75ohms (coaxial/SPDIF)
Tone Controls: Bass +/-10dB @ 100Hz
Treble +/-10dB @ 10Hz
Tuner: FM mode / RDS 87.5-108MHz, 75 ohm coaxial aerial AM mode 522-1629Hz, 300 ohm loop aerial
Standby Power Consumption: <10w
Quiescent power consumption: <70w
Max. Power Consumption: 1400w
Dimensions (H x W x D): 150 x 425 x 420mm
5.9 x 16.7 x 16.6"
Weight: 15kg (33lbs)

Choose another product: Azur 540R (Version 2).

Well, I'm not sure, the website doesn't give enough info. My thoughts is that that receiver is HDMI audio pass-through only, since it lists HDMI as a video input only.

For the sake of argument, if it does accept audio via HDMI, if it were to accept uncompressed 5.1 channel PCM, you would be able to take advantage of the advanced HD codecs. I'm not sold that this will, however.

Well I remember last year a lot of talk about waiting for HDMI 1.3, and I can't remember if that was more in regards to video or audio.

I just basically want to know that if I get the 605, I can run an HDMI cable from my HD/BD player to my receiver and get full channel TrueHD, DTS-HD or PCM.

EDIT: I think what I'm trying to say is, do you need HDMI 1.3 on the player side AND the receiver to be able to send undecoded TrueHD or DTS-HD to the receiver?

My concern here is having to replace my players. IIRC the XA2 is the only HD-DVD player that has 1.3.

No, you don't "need" 1.3. Remember, unless EVERYTHING in your chain is 1.3 capable, it will downrez. If a receiver accepts uncompressed PCM via HDMI, then you can still take advantage of full HD audio.

So yes, if you get the 605, you can run an HDMI cable from your HD/BD player to my receiver and get full channel TrueHD, DTS-HD or PCM.

Thanks!

If I understand correctly, under the scenario you mentioned, this means decoding would still happen at the player, correct?

I have a TX-NR801 at the moment that's about 2 years old. I hate to phase it out so soon, but I'm thinkingmaybe I can get a few hundred for it towards the 605. I see sites selling it in the $400-$500 which seems like a great deal.

Part of the forum requirements is that the player does the decoding.

J&R supposedly has the 605 for $399 shipped if you call and order. Everyone else has it for $500. If you want local pickup, use a 10% off coupon from CC to get it for $475 out the door.

Thanks for all the info - much appreciated.

So if the decoding has to happen at the player, what makes the 605 different than the 604? Why does it get to have the TrueHD and DTS-HD logos now? If the player decodes TrueHD or DTS-HD and sends it as uncompressed PCM, how would the receiver even know it was getting DTS-HD or TrueHD?

That's an excellent question. Some folks here would be impressed to hear me say that's over my head and refer you to more knowledgeable folks.

It wouldn't, and that's the reason why getting any of these receivers for their advanced audio decoding capabilities is completely worthless.

In fact, using one of these new receivers to decode advanced audio can actually be detrimental to your viewing experience, as it automatically disables secondary audio (extras, IME, etc.).

Finally, EVEN WITH this receiver, you will not be able to decode DTS HD-MA in the near future, simply because there exists no player on the market that can output high resolution audio in any format other than PCM.

Let me take Josh's comment and tweak it for better understanding:
You as a human consumer aren't forced to use the player to decode TrueHD and others. Just like there has to be a stereo output option on DVD, BD, HDDVD. For those who simply plug it into a TV. Doesn't mean you have to listen in stereo if you have other options.

But we are really still waiting for HDMI 1.3 to open up the final options for the high-rez audio. Obviously, it's going to take patience.

And no, if the player sends out decoded, the receiver only knows what it gets. PCM is all it would see in the example you asked.

BTW, another option with the receivers mentioned in this thread so far is to decode in the player and send out via analog. Obviously, you need a player with analog outputs for this one.

Because it can decode them, now. The 604 cannot. The 605 has HDMI 1.3.

I haven't checked into this recently, but I presume wewantflair is saying no player can output them because they don't have HDMI 1.3. If the couple players that do have 1.3 STILL can't output them, that is news to me. Always in motion, the future. You must learn patience.

Josh,
Check that link out, may help you with Onkyo news now and in the future. They usually have good pics up before Onkyo themselves, too.

There seems to be a lot of confusion here about HDMI 1.3. It's little more than a marketing gimmick at this point. Rather than try to explain that statement and do a half-assed job at it, I'd recommend you take a couple minutes and read this thread: Why you don't need HDMI 1.3

That's a good article. MEJ can correct me if I'm wrong, but the jist of it is that if your receiver will accept uncompressed PCM via HDMI, then you don't need a 1.3 receiver.

Actually, those points are made here quite often, although not quite as succinctly, so that's a great link.

Sometimes it is still interesting to discuss the future, though.

Well I still need an HDMi capable receiver so I may still jump on the 605, but it's nice to know I don't have to worry too much about replacing my players with 1.3 capable players.

I don't know a whole lot myself. I just had a good link. I can say that's 100% true today. I do my best to stay informed, but I can't honestly say that will be true in 2-3 years. I've seen people say that will be true for the indefinite future (and these tends to be people more closely involved in the industry) and people who say they'll wait and see. But I've not seen a shred of evidence that there is something coming soon that will make this false.

I guess it boils down to how much you're willing to spend to future-proof your purchase knowing that that future may never arrive. When I found my Onkyo 604 (non 1.3) for $255, that was too good to pass up since it normally goes for anywhere from $350-$400 and up. I might have to replace it in a few years or not. And of course I won't ever have to replace it since my player does the work for me. But if I hadn't found such a good deal, I certainly would have at least considered 1.3 models.

Besides this topic, the other two myths I constantly see people getting wrong are that you need a player that outputs 1080p if you have a 1080p set (I have never heard of a 1080p set that can't properly de-interlace the 1080i signal back into the original 1080p frame). And that only new movies have will see any benefit when they're transferred to HD.

THIS SHOULD MAKE IT ALL SIMPLE!


Onkyo rolling out seven new AV receivers - some with HD audio support


http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...ws.php?id=9225


Great news, just what I've been waiting for, TRUE HD AND DTS, just what I've been waiting for!

Amazon.com has the Onkyo TX-SR605S for $407.19 with FREE with Super Saver Shipping. When I ordered mine there were 5 left now it says "Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served."

I never quite understood the difference in pricing between the black and the silver version of the exact same model.