Originally Posted By: Bruf
Hi,

I'm a happy owner of M60s, VP150, QS8s and EP500. My current AV receiver is a Yamaha RX-V659, which is a great receiver imo but it lacks HDMI inputs and thus the ability of decoding/playing PCM and lossless audio tracks from my blu-ray discs. Hooked up to my AVR are :

- PS3 (Video -> HDMI to TV -- Audio -> Toslink to AVR)
- Xbox 360 (Video -> HDMI to TV -- Audio -> Toslink to AVR)
- Explorer 4250HD (Video -> Component to AVR -- Audio -> Digital Coax to AVR)
- MacBook Pro (Video -> DVI/HDMI to TV -- Audio -> Toslink to AVR)

I would like to buy a new AVR with HDMI 1.3a inputs so that I only use the HDMI interface for both video & audio, at least for the PS3 and the Xbox 360. The PS3 is my main media player, and I've read from previous threads here that I'm golden with PCM output via HDMI.

My main concern is picture quality degradation using the AVR between my player and my HDTV. I don't want/need any of the video processing features from pricey AVRs, I only want an AVR with good power/features (at least on par with my RX-V659) that will be able to pass the HDMI video signal flawlessly to the TV. I've read on the Yamaha RX-V663 not being able to pass "blacker-than-black" signal, something like that. I know there's a bunch of issues involving HDMI, so I'm looking for a simple way to enjoy lossless/PCM audio without any degradation of my video signal.

I wonder if it's possible to turn off all the video processing features of an HDMI AVR such as the new 663/863 Yamaha or Onkyo 606. My Sony LCD does support HDMI 1.3a features and already do a great job all by itself so I just want the audio part to be as great as the picture you see? ;\)

It's funny because all the 2008 entry-level AVRs only do HDMI switching, which is the only thing I need (well I think), but they don't offer the same level of performance, power and features as my Yamaha RX-V659.

Any help, personal experience and tips would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Bruno



Bruno,
I actually liked Marantz SR8002 because it sound *slightly* better than Denon 3808. It also did *nothing* with the video except that it could convert 480I to P. However, it lacks the ability to be upgraded by the end user. So I traded it in for the 3808.

My recommendation for the cable STB is to use component. The difference in picture quality between component and HDMI is negligible. The headaches of HDMI sync'ing between STB's and AVRs are quite quite quite painful. I've had issues with Pioneer Elite82 + Cox cable. I've had issues with PS3-Marantz-Sony XBR, I've had issues Cablevision and Marantz, and I've had issues with TWC and Marantz/Denon. So just avoid it if at all possible.

For PS3, in order to enjoy the internal decoding of all lossless codes, you have to use HDMI.

With Denon, you can turn off video upscaling and processing on a per input basis.

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Denon 4520, EPIC80/500/VP180 Speakers