Just replaced my Denon AVR-1803 with a Pioneer Elite VSX-03THX. I'm running all components through the receiver via HDMI.

Using HDMI control, it turns out that I can't see basic things such as volume control or input selection on the tv screen now. It's really annoying. The delay for each component to sync with the tv is also pretty lame.

Dumb noob questions here...what is the advantage of using HDMI control from the receiver instead of just running the cables from each component to the tv directly for video, and using optical connections for sound to the receiver? Are there receivers on the market that display an overlay for even basic info such as volume and input for example over HDMI?

I don't see the advantage of upgrading my old receiver at this point, although the sound is very good from the new one.

Thanks,
Mitch

One advantage is simiplification of cables. You can usually route all your cables to the receiver and use just one HDMI cable to the display. Another advantage is the use of HD audio codecs like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. You need HDMI for those.

As for information overlay, it is highly dependant on your receiver. I have a Denon 3808ci and it will overlay things like volume level on the screen.

toker basically covered it all.

The delay for each component to sync with the tv is also pretty lame.

This probably wouldn't be any better going directly to the TV, because you'd then need to additionally change inputs on the TV, which will be just as slow to resync, and unless you have a programmable macro remote to do this for you, is another remote to grab and use, slower still.

One advantage is simiplification of cables. You can usually route all your cables to the receiver and use just one HDMI cable to the display. Another advantage is the use of HD audio codecs like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. You need HDMI for those.

As for information overlay, it is highly dependant on your receiver. I have a Denon 3808ci and it will overlay things like volume level on the screen.


Thanks very much. When I was researching all of this, I heard over and over again that the newer Denon models were pretty difficult to set up with poor supporting documentation. That's why I went with the Pioneer. I do like the single cable arrangement very much.

So...should I or shouldn't I make the switch to the 3808? :) I can still take the Pioneer back and pay a bit more for the Denon.

Thanks again!