Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions HK AVR 7300 and Mit 52725 HDTV (video question)

I posted this in another forum and got 0 replies, so I thought I would give it a shot here.

I am looking at purchasing a Harman Kardon 7300 or the 630 receiver.

My question is if anyone knows if the video up-conversion option is worth the extra cost of the 7300? Is the up-conversion just another notch on the belt or something actually worth having with a HDTV?

I am also looking at purchasing the Mit 52725 HDTV, which has technology that helps optimize the video signal (AMPV2), but does not up-convert the image to my knowledge.

Any help in this matter would be appreciated, thanks

Del D

I can't comment on the H/K or even the Mitsubishi monitor as I'm not familiar with them specifically.... so basically, I can only speak in generalities.

My Denon 3805 "upconverts", for example, all the Y/C input connections (often called "S" connections) to the component output connections. It does NOT upsample the resolution of the signal, however.

It simply allows someone who might, for example, have four video sources that output an "S" signal and two that output a component signal to all connect from the receiver to the TV with a single connection. If it did not work this way, and you used your receiver to switch sources, you would also have to switch your TV. As an example, if you had a DVD player that outpts component and want to switch to a TiVo box that had an "S" output, you would have to swith both the receiver AND the TV to change sources. In my Denon, it's not a method of enhancing quality, just a convenience. One that I think is valuable, though!

Again, I can't vouch for the way the H/K works, but I'd say if it ONLY works the same way as my Denon, it's worth a couple of hundred bucks to some people who switch sources pretty often. If you're like me and aren't switching sources all the time, it may be less of a big deal but still convenient.

Thanks for the quick reply Mark,

I guess I am going to have to do some more research in the video side of the components. Since I am buying everything new and not bring over any of my older components to this system I didn’t think that there would be connection issues. (In fact I hadn’t thought about how everything connects at all, LOL)

Del D

DelD -- I have teh Novermber issue of Sound and Vision where they reveiwed the 7300 and if I can find it I will see what they say about teh video upconversion.

Alright, here is what they said about the upconversion: "Faroudja DCDi video processing with 480p upconversion and enhancements calibrated by input." also "Composite/S-Video inputs upconverted to component-video."

Looks like it does "improve" video if your TV handles 480p. I suppose the best course of action would be to get both and see what you think, if possible.

The only cons listed for this unit were "Complex remote control" and "Auidible cooling fan" The reveiwer's "Bottom Line" is "Putting my relatively inconsequential gripes aside, the Harman Kardon AVR 7300 is one helluva digital surround receiver. If you want tremendous setup flexibility, top-drawr performance, truly superb surround options, and unusually customizable video outputs, it's one you really should check out."

Also they have performance specs: "Output at clipping (1kHz into 8 ohms)
1 channel driven -- 202 W 23.1 dBW
5 channels driven -- 145 W 21.6 dBW
7 channels driven -- 139W 921.4 dBW

anyways, if you want more info from the review just ask, or pick it up yourself -- it's only $4.50US

Here's the whole thing.

Thanks for the info, I went to the store and found the Dec edition of Sound and Vision, which also had a review on the Denon 3508. Since I like the Denon 2200 DVD player, I am reviewing the 3508 in more detail.

Since I need a receiver to review the Axiom speakers I ordered, I will be pulling the trigger on one of these receivers soon. (Think I might just flip a coin. LOL)

Check out NeverHappy's review of the HK and Denon receivers on the Home Theater threads. I'm pretty convinced that HK is the way to go. The upconversion is worth a couple hundred bucks - I had to get a Harmony remote to make my wife happy to deal with the issue - we had too many video inputs of different types (2 component, 1 S-video, 1 composite) and it made it difficult to sort out.

I got the model number wrong, its the 3805, same one Mark mentioned above. This also up-converts the video like the HK, but doesnt use the same chip. The Denon is also $500 - $600 cheaper than the HK.

Del, I think that you're referring to the excellent test results on the 2805. Either that or the identical but slightly lower cost 985 would be a very good buy.