HI All,

My Marantz 4002 should be arriving today and I'm looking for opinions on best setup.

I will be using it with a 46" 1080p Samsung LCD, Motorola DVR w/ HDMI out, and PS3 (Blu-ray and gaming), and 5.1 audio (don't have 7 speakers yet). Should I run all HDMI through the Marantz, or run HDMI directly to TV w/ optical inputs to the Marantz? I would like to be able to watch the DVR cable box without ALWAYS having to turn the receiver on. What's the best way to connect the PS3? I don't mind turning the receiver on to use the PS3.

Am I losing anything with either option? Does passing the HDMI through receiver degrade picture quality?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance for your help.

Do I have to use HDMI?

You have to check with your TV's owner's manual, but I know that mine (and most from what I've read) only spits out 2.0 from the TV even if the it's fed with 5.1/6.1. It only puts out 5.1 from the optical out if you use the built in tuner, who the hell uses tuners these days? I live in your area, so I know that you wont be using the tuner much! It sounds like your best bet would be to hook everything into the receiver and then to the TV. You'll get used to using the surround sound all the time and besides, it will make everything easier to switch (the only button you'll need to press on the TV's remote is the power- no switching inputs). As far as the receiver degrading the image quality, it shouldn't, but someone who is familiar with this unit needs to chime in.

Thanks for the info. You're certainly right about the lack of need for the TV tuner in our area ;-) Not much available OTA. I'll give that setup a shot.

Let me know how that receiver turns out because I'm sort of in the market for a better one. If you feel like checking out my post here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1131148&highlight= , you'll see some of my frunstrations with the Sony 910. Hopefully not all HDMI receivers suffer from the same limitations as mine. Good luck.

Ryan-

I'll let you know how things go.

I've got an additional issue that maybe you can help me with. When I try to use the auto speaker setup (with the included microphone) all goes well until my levels on the surround speakers are being tested. The right surround speaker does it's thing just fine, but as soon as the tone switches to the left surround the amp goes into PROTECT mode. I've checked to make sure that the + and - aren't crossed on the speaker connections. I think that the problem is that the surround speakers are 75 watts and the amp is 80 watts. could that be it? Why would it only happen with only one of the surround speakers?

If I skip the auto speaker setup the speakers work. I'm just very careful not to turn the volume up too high.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I had a similar error when setting up my Sony the first time. The problem was that one of the speaker wires wasn't making a good connection in the rear of the receiver. As far as the speakers not being rated for what the amp can deliver, I seriously doubt it since the amp can't see how much they can handle. Really if you drive the speakers too hard they will make a loud pop, so you'll know it. Now one thing to check into is how many ohms the receiver's amp is rated for; if the speakers are 4 ohms and the lowest the amp can go is 6 ohms, then you have a problem. Can you also check that the speaker wire isn't pinched or cut somewhere along the run. I wouldn't just disregard the error. Now, from what I've read about the Marantz auto speaker settup (mostly the 4003/5003) is that it sucks! You may want to go into the settings and set everything up manually. For instance, check to see if the speaker distances set by the auto set up are even close to being right.

Ryan-

I'll let you know how things go.

I've got an additional issue that maybe you can help me with. When I try to use the auto speaker setup (with the included microphone) all goes well until my levels on the surround speakers are being tested. The right surround speaker does it's thing just fine, but as soon as the tone switches to the left surround the amp goes into PROTECT mode. I've checked to make sure that the + and - aren't crossed on the speaker connections. I think that the problem is that the surround speakers are 75 watts and the amp is 80 watts. could that be it? Why would it only happen with only one of the surround speakers?

If I skip the auto speaker setup the speakers work. I'm just very careful not to turn the volume up too high.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Congrats on your new marantz. Are you still having trouble with the "protect mode"? What is the make and model of your spkrs? The 75 watts vs. 80 watts wouldn't be your problem. Just curious, where did you purchase it from?

After you get everything hooked up and working through the receiver, you should be able to also connect the sound from the cable box to the TV via a left/right composite rca cable. (so that you don't have to turn the receiver on every time)

The surrounds are Bose 301 Bookshelfs. I checked the specs. They are 8 ohms and rated for up to 150 W. They are by no means high-end, but they've performed admirably for my purposes. My 3 front speakers are from Polk audio.

Purchased a new model from accessories4less for $299. Seemed like a good deal to me. Could have gotten a refurb for $50 less, but peace of mind of 3 yr. warranty seemed worth the extra $50.

The surrounds are Bose 301 Bookshelfs. I checked the specs. They are 8 ohms and rated for up to 150 W. They are by no means high-end, but they've performed admirably for my purposes. My 3 front speakers are from Polk audio.

The Bose web site/301 manual indicates the impedance is from 4 to 8 ohms.
The Marantz is 8 ohms and would be put under some level of strain while trying to drive the 301's. Just thought I would reveal this because of the set up problem that you are having (don't know if they are related). Yeah, the surround channels generally have less work to do but you should still be aware of the impedance numbers. BTW, the 301's are nice speakers, and have been top sellers for many years.