Hey guys..probably buying a new 52" LCD in the next month or so. I will have Directv for HD with DVR and am now using a five year old Onkyo for 5.1 surround which I have been happy with.

Correct me if I am wrong will I need a new receiver that accepts HDMI cables (mine does not). Not sure if I can just hook up the audio using an optical cable on the DVR directly to my existing receiver. I currently use the receiver for all audio and have the volume disabled on my old Mitsu 35" CRT. If I sound confused I am!! Not sure how much HDMI can and can't do and if it is used for video AND audio. I want to have the best picture and audio so if I need to replace the old receiver to get better quality than so be it though if all things are the same I would keep my old receiver.

On another topic if a new receiver is needed can anyone recommend a solid but inexpensive option if for a 5.1 receiver? No need to go 7.1 unless really necessary.

Thanks,

Marc

You dont need to upgrade. You can connect your HD-DVR with a digital connection to your receiver for sound.

It would be easier with HDMI connection, but not necessary.

If you do want to go new receiver, the Onkyo 605 and 705 are both solid choices, with HDMI and advance CODEC support, plus 5.1 support.

Wow that was fast...thanks. The way I have it set up now is the dual tuners come in thru my TiVo and then the audio AND video come in thru the receiver. The video then goes out to the TV. Obviously without HDMI inputs or outputs on my current receiver I guess the HD video will go from new DVR directly to the TV while the audio will go via optical cable to the receiver.

I guess the only difference here would be that instead of controlling everything on my receiver I would need to change inputs on the TV to go from watching satellite TV to Blueray/DVD player. The HDMI video inputs from the DVR and Blueray (once I purchase it) will not be able to go into the receiver first and then the TV but rather directly to the TV. Does this complicate things? Problem is I have a wife and kids who have gotten used to the current setup and I want to make it easy on them! ;)

Lastly is by using optical instead of HDMI for audio is this a "lesser" quality way to process audio? Thanks.

Wow that was fast...thanks. The way I have it set up now is the dual tuners come in thru my TiVo and then the audio AND video come in thru the receiver. The video then goes out to the TV. Obviously without HEMI inputs or outputs I guess the HD video will go from new DVR directly to the TV. As you mentioned the audio will stay the same...optical from DVR to receiver.

I guess the only difference here would be that instead of controlling everything on my receiver I would need to change inputs on the TV. The HDMI inputs from the DVR and Blueray (once I purchase it) would not be able to go into the receiver first and then the TV but rather directly to the TV. Does this complicate things?

Problem is I have a wife and kids who have gotten used to the current setup and I want to make it easy on them! ;)

Lastly is by using optical instead of HDMI for audio is this a "lesser" quality way to process audio? Thanks.

You can get HDTV through components, you dont have to use HDMI.

You can run everything through your current receiver, with compnents, s-video, digital coax or optical, but you would be able to take advantage of new technologies. (like blu-ray advanced audio and 1080P upconversion)

Yes, using the "old" digital connections will not allow you to use the "new" audio (trueHD or DTS-MA) from your future Blu-ray player. For you HD-DVR though the digital connection is fine.