I originally posted this in in the amps/receivers section, but considering I've gotten no responses and very few views I think it's the wrong forum. ;)


I currently have an Onkyo HT-S990THX which I'm perfectly happy with in terms of sound. All of my video inputs were plugged directly into my TV, but I just upgraded to a front projector (Epson 6500UB !) mounted on the ceiling and now want to run one long HDMI (30') cable through my attic from my AV system down on the ground. The HT-S990THX doesn't do HDMI, so here's what I'm looking at:

My current devices are:
1. Nintendo wii (component Video, Analog Audio)
2. HTPC (DVI->HDMI Video, Optical Audio)
3. Cable Box (HDMI Video/Audio)

Future Devices:
4. TIVO (HDMI Video/Audio)
5. Some kind of blue ray player (could be incorporated into the HTPC, could be a PS3 or something else) (HDMI Video/Audio or just part of HTPC)
6. Cool mystery device that I'm sure I'll just NEED to have. (HDMI?!)

So far I've come up with two options:

1) Buy a DVDO Edge

The DVDO Edge has an optical out, so I could theoretically feed everything into it and shoot an audio signal to my HT-S990THX and the HDMI out up to my projector. As a bonus I get all of the cool video scaling, which is good since about 70% of our viewing is DVDs and SD television.

2) Buy a new A/V receiver that does everything I want

I'm honestly lost here. Seems like the Denon's or maybe a newer Onkyo model would have what I need. I'm not sure it makes sense to shell out the extra $$$ when I already have an audio system that sounds good to me, but then again I'm taking about buying a DVDO edge without seeing the scaling technology or even being particularly upset about watching SD on my projector.


So... any advice? My budget is ~$800. If there's a much cheaper option that doesn't have video scaling that's probably ok, unless people here that I'm going to really enjoy the scaling on my 120" screen.

Thanks everyone!

The simple answer is yes. I also had a bunch invested in a system that didn't handle HDMI (lexicon processor, power amps, etc.), and the Edge gave me the chance to greatly simplify my wiring (HDMI versus component + optical). My lexicon now sits perpetually on the same input, and all the switching I need is done with the Edge.

Plus... if you move without hesitation AVS has a PowerBuy program for the Edge that will save you a couple hundred below your $800 budget. See the sticky thread at the top of this forum.

Kevin

One thing you miss with the Edge + existing receiver is no support for the "HiDef" audio formats like DTS-HD and Dolby-HD. The optical link will work, but only provide regular DTS & DD. If Blu-ray might be the only source that has these formats, then you could also get a blu-ray player with built-in audio decoding -and- 7.1 analog outputs, which you would need to connect to your existing receiver, provided it has a 5.1 or 7.1 analog input.

I am in the same boat and posted in the Projector area with no response. The other option you have is to let the pj do the switching. I have tried inexpensive switcher but it seems to not want to pass the 1080p signal from my ps3.

I would say if you are happy with the Onkyo sound, go with a VP. First off, no receiver will outperform (especially in this price range) a dedicated VP. Secondly, no point in changing your audio (and adding another possible factor) if you are already happy with it.
My 2 cents.

first off, no receiver will outperform (especially in this price range) a dedicated vp.

+1

+2

I have the Onkyo 885 and the Reon is turned off.

Bought the Edge via the AVS powerbuy on impulse so I
and waiting to see how it performs with and against my Toshiba XA2 (Reon)
and the upcoming Oppo BDP83 (ABT102).

+2

I have the Onkyo 885 and the Reon is turned off.

Bought the Edge via the AVS powerbuy on impulse so I
and waiting to see how it performs with and against my Toshiba XA2 (Reon)
and the upcoming Oppo BDP83 (ABT102).

The Oppo BD player and the EDGE do not use the ABT102, they use the ABT2010. The ABT102 is limited to SD deinterlacing, whereas the ABT2010 has SD/HD Deinterlacing, PReP, MNR, Fine Detail and Edge Enhancement and Progressive Cadence Detection.

I ended up doing the powerbuy next week .... now I'm anxiously awaiting the shipment. Thanks for the advice everyone - here's to hoping it works out... :)

I ordered one too.

The Oppo BD player and the EDGE do not use the ABT102, they use the ABT2010. The ABT102 is limited to SD deinterlacing, whereas the ABT2010 has SD/HD Deinterlacing, PReP, MNR, Fine Detail and Edge Enhancement and Progressive Cadence Detection.

Very nice. This might turn out better than I had expected, maybe even the
bargain of the year

UPDATE: We should have these in shortly and will turn them around to everyone (just locking down tracking today). Stay tuned!

Is there _any_ chance we'll have them by end of next week?

Depends on where you live but very possible.

I'm skeptical of video processors that you need to run 480I to get the benefit. I would be worried of jaggies for one. Same goes with av receivers with processors in them. Dvd players with reon, realta, vrs, etc, i think would outperform running 480i into a processor with the same chip. Now that these great chips are in dvd players, what's the sense? Placebo effect because it's a dedicated processor? Someone please educate me.

I'm skeptical of video processors that you need to run 480I to get the benefit. I would be worried of jaggies for one. Same goes with av receivers with processors in them. Dvd players with reon, realta, vrs, etc, i think would outperform running 480i into a processor with the same chip. Now that these great chips are in dvd players, what's the sense? Placebo effect because it's a dedicated processor? Someone please educate me.

There is more to a good VP than just the chip. DVD players typically are stripped (as are receivers) and though will output higher resolutions, the performance from a dedicated VP with better chips, processing, NR, etc... will virtually always outperform a standalone (or receiver).


UPDATE: Arriving Monday.

I'm skeptical of video processors that you need to run 480I to get the benefit. I would be worried of jaggies for one. Same goes with av receivers with processors in them. Dvd players with reon, realta, vrs, etc, i think would outperform running 480i into a processor with the same chip. Now that these great chips are in dvd players, what's the sense? Placebo effect because it's a dedicated processor? Someone please educate me.

That argument is fine as long as you limit yourself to DVD players. An external video processor allows the user to use one of these great processing chips for every source they own. For instance, my 1080p display does a pretty bad job with 480p->1080p and 720p->1080p scaling for games (lots of ringing and non-defeatable overscan), but wonderfully handles 1080p input signals with 1:1 pixel-mapping. Using a processor like the Edge, I now get better scaling with zero overscan for every source I own (not just DVD players). The same applies to scaling and de-interlacing video signals sent from set-top boxes.

There's also the matter of the quality you get for the money. I spent more money on my Reon-equipped Denon 2930 DVD player than I did on the Edge, yet when fed with a "clean" 480i signal, the Edge provides me with a clear advantage in its de-interlacing of film content in terms of cadence detection and stability. The Denon also has relatively sub-par scaling that emphasizes "jaggies."

I'm also considering an EDGE. I have Dish Network and watch primarily HD but I'm forced to watch SD for SpeedTV, Vs and PBS. My plasma is a Pioneer 1080i. Does the EDGE significantly improve SD tv?

I just read the thread below. It soesn't look like an Edge will do much.

I recently purchased one of these units and I'm happy with its performance so far. I'm running BD and SD DVD through it and have the video going straight to my projector while the second audio-only HDMI output goes right to my AVR.

I must admit though, my initial impression wasn't quite so good. Right out of the box, part of the "DVDO" logo fell off. The glue holding the letters on the front must have dried up too much or something. Then when I went to put the unit in my rack, I noticed a loose screw sliding around inside. I had the video calibrator coming within days so I couldn't take the time now, but eventually this unit will be going back to DVDO for maintenance so that loose screw can be fixed or removed. The logo portion was more of an annoyance more than anything. Nonetheless, it still bothered me.

UPDATE: They are shipping today...tracking will be sent shortly.

I'm also considering an EDGE. I have Dish Network and watch primarily HD but I'm forced to watch SD for SpeedTV, Vs and PBS. My plasma is a Pioneer 1080i. Does the EDGE significantly improve SD tv?

"my plasma is a pioneer 1080i"... :confused:

define "significantly"...

Oooo gotta love that technology, got my UPS Quantum View shipping notice at the same time Jason posted his!

"my plasma is a pioneer 1080i"... :confused:

define "significantly"...

My plasma is a Pioneer 720p/1080i. Significantly is probably a bad choice of words. Noticeably might be better. Subtle is not what I'm looking for. I think plasmas in general don't do well with SD tv, in particular Dish Network SD. I'm stuck with it because the F1 races are only available on Speedtv which is SD.

My plasma is a Pioneer 720p/1080i. Significantly is probably a bad choice of words. Noticeably might be better. Subtle is not what I'm looking for. I think plasmas in general don't do well with SD tv, in particular Dish Network SD. I'm stuck with it because the F1 races are only available on Speedtv which is SD.

your plasma is either a 720p (technically, 768) or a 1080p.... it can't be both, and it most certainly cannot be 1080i... it may accept 720p/1080i, but that's not relevant...

on my 150fd, sd looks "better" through the edge... "noticeably"? yes. a "lot noticeable"? no. that being said, i very rarely watch any sd. fwiw, hd is better through the edge rather than straight to the display as well. and that's with fios. if the network is doing their job (like cbs is doing tonight), it's virtually like being at the game. the processing in the kuros does not suck. the processing in the edge is better.

man, i feel your pain on no f1 races in hd... :( not that i had to be convinced to switch from comcast, but the fact that verizon had speed in hd was a nice little cherry on the top... of course, it's not "real" hd, but it's sure a lot better than the sd feed...

My plasma is a PDP 5070 which, I guess, is 720p. My display shows 1080i when I check the inputs. I would change to FIOS in a heartbeat but here it's AT&T and it's only fiber optic to the node, copper from there. I'm skeptical there is that much improvement over Dish. I'll probably give the EDGE a try.

I'm stuck with it because the F1 races are only available on Speedtv which is SD.

Unfortunately, there isn't any technology that will beat being there with a pit pass

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s270/mdputnam/F1.jpg

Makes me want to smoke...

Unfortunately, there isn't any technology that will beat being there with a pit pass

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s270/mdputnam/F1.jpg

Ah yes, nothing like being there in the flesh. The racing is good too!

I just wanted to follow up my previous post about part of the logo falling off and having a loose screw inside the unit. I want to tell you what a great experience I have had in dealing with DVDO in helping me get these issues taken care of. By their response they have made me happy to have purchased their product. I will no doubt be a future customer of theirs when it comes time to upgrade to something else.

I just wanted to follow up my previous post about part of the logo falling off and having a loose screw inside the unit. I want to tell you what a great experience I have had in dealing with DVDO in helping me get these issues taken care of. By their response they have made me happy to have purchased their product. I will no doubt be a future customer of theirs when it comes time to upgrade to something else.

Good to hear...positive feedback is always appreciated!