Hello All,

Since the video processors I've been reading about here and elsewhere have more than enough inputs (for me) and switch audio as well, I've been searching without much luck for a component that would do everything an HT receiver would do - except the video switching and processing. A multi-channel pre-amp and amplifier, basically.
Thanks,

chris

Thats what I am looking for too! Did you have any look. I want to connect the digital coax out from my PC to the a 7.1 Audio only receiver and using a DVI to HDMI cable connect the PC Video card directly to my 1080p projector. I dont want any bells or whistles, just the receiver; no radio required no video processing.

any direction is much appreciated

The Cary 11a will be just what you're looking for. Check the Cary 11 thread on AVS for details.

The Audiolab 8000AP has gotten some decent reviews, but it is painfully hard to find in the US for an audition. The NAD T175 has a bunch of features that people would appreciate and a price that's competitive with something like the Integra/Onkyo Pro. NuForce is allegedly working on something like this, but don't expect to see anything from them until late into 2009. The Meridian G61R has always enticed me, but until there is a way to get audio from HDMI into the unit, it stays a curiosity. The new Cary unit is also one to watch, as mentioned above. Bryston was considering something like this, but decided against it.

After that, you start getting things that include more video handling capabilities than is, I believe, intended in the question. However, one can easily expand this to be "low profile" pre/pro's, and the list expands -- slightly (e.g., Rotel RSP-1069). Also note that NAD is adding an internal VP to the T175 (T175 HD), and it is unclear if the T175 will be available without the video processing. Given the price increase for the "HD" model, it would have to be something really special to compete against even something like DVDO's EDGE on straight video processing capabilities.

You do realize that you don't have to use the video switching feature of a receiver or pre/pro? I have never used them; in fact I used a separate S-video switcher for years before I got into digital video and HD. And even now all my video outputs goes straight to my plasma TV except for one that goes to a DVD recorder. Just buy the receiver or pre/pro of your choice and ignore the video section except the monitor output for on-screen setup, and put all the video through your VP or direct to the TV. If you are determined to get something without video processing you are pretty much out of luck with receivers - AFAIK all surround receivers have a video section. A few separate audio processors do without video switching, and of those I recommend the Bryston SP-2. I owned the SP-1 at one time and liked the sound on DD decoding but not so much it's analog stereo section. I also owned the Cary Cinema 11 at one time and frankly do not recommend it, mainly because I did not like what I heard from it's analog section and it is really bad with DPLII decoding. And to make it worse the Cary came with a ridiculously cheap remote more appropriate for a $30 Radio Shack boombox.

You should want one with HDMI because that can carry the best quality audio. You don't have to run video through it but there are plenty that will not (or can be set to not) touch your video even when you do run it through.