Official Harman Kardon AVR 254 & 354 Owners Thread - Page 40

I don't think that was ever planned for the update. I think it was just a rumor, that spawned from people lumping in the upscaling with the video processing features.

The video processing modes (Film, Sports, etc.) are supposedly able to be bypassed now (I'm not sure if I can tell the difference though... it looked "off" to me before), but the upscaling is not a part of that. You must still pick an output resolution for the AVR, and ALL video will be upscaled or downscaled to that resolution.

To me, it's ludicrous not to have a bypass option, or at least an option to have the output resolution match whatever input resolution is present, but apparently HK thinks that's just crazy talk.

So what's the downside to keeping the output resolution at 1080i at all times? Does the SD upscaling look that bad? Or will I need to switch everytime I'm going to a non-HD source such as my wii or original xbox?

Normally, when watching TV, most modern TVs have the capability to determine the aspect ratio based on the resolution of the input signal. In other words, if a 480i/p signal comes in, it knows to set the aspect to "Standard," and if a 1080i/p signal comes in, the aspect is set to "Full."

The downside of having ALL signals upconverted is that you totally remove this ability from your TV, so when you switch to an SD broadcast, your TV will still select the "Full" aspect ratio based on the 1080i/p input, and stretch the picture. (Actually, to be more accurate, when upscaling, the AVR is what stretches the picture... if it upscaled by putting black bars on the sides, there'd be no issue.) You'll have to manually set the aspect ratio back to "Standard" each time you select an SD channel if you want to watch the broadcast in the correct aspect ratio. If you watch nothing but HD, there's no issue, but for the most part, that's not how we watch TV.

For DVD/Blu-Ray players, upconverting is fine. Thus, many of us have their DVD/BD player running video through the AVR, while our cable/satellite boxes bypass it, and run video straight to the TV. Of course, if your TV only has one HDMI input, you're screwed.

That is very helpful thanks. I gave up and returned the cable already with the plan to buy another brand of cable and try my luck again after allowing myself to heal psychologically from dealing with this inane process. Maybe I'll go back and buy another Dynex cable and do as you suggest to see if it works. Thanks for sharing WSUDU!

I believe they still need another update. This is definitely a step up and makes the system more tolerable.

• The idosyncrasies in the GUI (for example, when you are setting up your sources and you choose an option then it exits);
• There's still too much PCM delay - say for example when you commercial skip on your DVR, the delay is noticeable

However, still much better. I also think they should add a "GAME" video processing mode.

Faster, but still a loud pop between sources and programs.

I have a question about the 254 that i purchased.
First let me say wow this receiver is great,sounds fantastic it really does i just have one prob. My sub does not have the same omph or loudness as it did before. I was running a yammy 563 before and the bass was alot better and still not "boomy". Is the only control over the sub i have is to tell it what size woofer my sub has i have seen no crossover settings for the sub at all please tell me i am wrong

the crossover settings are set in the settings for each independant speaker, rather than on the subwoofer settings.

This way you can set different crossovers for your fronts/surrounds/backs and have anything below their respective crossovers sent to the subwoofer. You will need to set all of your speakers to "small" to be able to set the crossovers manually.

Its also possible that your yammy had an increased gain going to the subwoofer, and you should be able to adjust that if you think you need more volume.

Hope that helps...

Thank you racer for the info, on my set up screen it just says sub, but the book says it should say LFE,but when i use a DD signal it shows LFE on the receiver so i should not be worried right.

Thanks; The Hash.

I am a new owner of the AVR 354 and am having problems with the audio cutting out via HDMI link to cable box. Will the new firmware take care of this problem?

There is another thread about x54 problems and solutions which discusses issues like this in great detail. The short answer to your question is, "maybe, hopefully." It's worth a try.

Is it possible to apply Dolby PL IIx 7.1 processing to DTS, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD being bitstreamed via HDMI? The manual seems to suggest that it is not possible but I just wanted to verify. Thanks.

i have the UK model the 255 and i can apply dolby prologic ii processing to standard digital audio send over hdmi as well as 5.1 hd audio such as dolby true hd and dtsma bitstreamed from my bluray player.. I can also use prologic processing on the hd audio sent as decoded pcm from my tosh hdvd player or ps3 and turn any 5.1 movie with hd audio into 7.1.

I just looked at the 255 manual and it doesn't seem to have the same table in the Appendix listing what input signals that you can use DPL IIx with. I wonder if it is different in this respect with the 254? Can anyone with the 254 confirm whether or not this is the case?

i am pretty sure the 255 is exactly the same as the 254 with the exception of minor cosmetic differences, also that earlier on in this thread it was i am sure it was confirmed you could use dolby prologic iix processing to give you 7.1 fromy input be it optical or hdmi.

Ok, thanks.

So are there still problems with the 254 with the new software upgrade?... I'm stuck between the Denon 789 or the HK 254.

Can anyone tell me what the readout on the AVR 354 should be when passing Dobly Digital Plus or Dobly True HD to it via HDMI? Mine is reading "Multi-Channel PCM", so I'm not sure that it is right.

Still best value for your $ is the 254/354 IMHO

I'm older than most of you guys; so please don't hold this question against me. I think the HK AVR 354 receiver and the HKTS 18 speaker system is very nice. What I'm trying to find out is if someone might tell me if that system is pretty good or if there is another system out ther better for basically the same price? As I read all these threads anout the HK Receivers it seems like there's a lot of problems (oddities) I might not be able to figure out. I'm a "Keep It Simple Stupid" (KISS) person so that's what I'm trying to do. So if someone could tell me in real simple terms "Yes" or "No" as far as Harmon Kardon I'd appreciate it. I was also looking at the Pioneer VSX01TXH and theVSX 1018-- any comments on those two? I tried to start a thread but didn't know how so please forgive me for jumpiong in here...Thanks

Will it work fine?.. I'll be hooking my PS3 to the 254 by HDMI but for my HDTV video cables will go to the tv and audio to the 254, same for my 360. Will I run into problems like video or audio not working?.. The place that I'm looking at getting it just got all new ones in so they shouldn't have the problems?.. A friend of mine has the 347 and he has no problems with it at all and it sound amazing!.

I'm new to this stuff too but it seems all receivers are having many problems when hooking up by HDMI. I'm stuck too, I heard Denon and Onkyo are having problems too. It's becoming a nightmare for me on what to get!.

Really the best way to figure out which receiver to get is to try them all yourself and find what matches the things you value most. You're going to get various opinions from various people based off what they experienced but only you can ultimately decide what works for you. I was in the same boat you guys were just reading and researching and asking for opinions. I even produced a spreadsheet comparing all the models across a spectrum of things that I valued the most.

The Pioneer 1018 came out before the HK 254 so I rushed to Best Buy and set it up and got it working with all my equipment. I hated the thing. I could not get it to sound good and even my wife's untrained ears noticed there was something clearly wrong with how it sounded. The setup was unnecessarily complicated. The user interface was crappy and the whole experience with it made me say "this is all a receiver released in 2008 can offer?"

As soon as the HK 254 was released I returned the Pioneer to Best Buy and picked it up. Everything that I hated about he Pio I absolutely loved about the HK. The sound is simply excellent in every way. The user interface is what a receiver released in 2008 should look like. The setup of devices was super easy. I honestly have had very few problems with mine. My only real gripe is the inability to get my ATI 4850 card to stream sound through HDMI, but I've worked around it.

There obviously are plenty of people who have gripes about this receiver but these people value different things than I do. Plus HK actually improves upon their product through firmware releases that their customers can perform. This is a huge benefit! I can whole-heartedly recommend this unit to anyone. However, there are going to be people that whole-heartedly hate this unit.

Again, the only real way to know if a receiver suites you is for you to try it out!

Have fun!

I have not used a ps3 with the receiver yet, but I believe the issues are resolved. Search for the separate thread regarding PS3+AVR-254 for more details.

After considerable time and effort and two usb serial cables, I finally managed to upgrade the firmware. The only change I noticed was that the sound locks better when I'm pausing or skipping channels on my DVR. This is a welcome improvement over having to change sources and skip back every 10 minutes or so. I have yet to see the Dolby True HD or any hi res audio showing on my receiver even though it is bitstreamed from my blu-ray player. Most of the surround options remained grayed out for audio input over HDMI. So far I haven't experienced the random changing of channel levels I had before so that is also a major improvement. I still am only using it as a pre-pro because the amps just don't come close to the old amps in my HK7200. I would not recommend this receiver if you are looking for a simple setup and forget type of system. It was and continues to be the high maintenance variety.

I received my H/K AVR-254 last week. Just wanted to post my impressions. I replaced a NAD T751. I haven't updated the 254 to the latest firmware yet. With the exception of it losing it's lock on PCM audio from my Mac mini over optical I haven't had any problems with it. I haven't once had it lose it's audio lock with my Dish VIP-722 DVR. I digress though. The reason for this post is to rave about the sound quality. In a word: amazing. I love the sound of this receiver.

This isn't an apple to apples comparison as I used to be doing bass management in my blu-ray player with my NAD hooked up via 5.1 analog, but the bass is so much better with the 254. I don't have a subwoofer. It seems to me that previously the blu-ray player (Samsung BDP-1400) only disabled the LFE where the 254 redirects the LFE to my mains. Movies sound so much better.

The other thing I've noticed with the 254 is a much better sounding center channel. I always thought that the problem was the actual center channel speaker. The 254 has brought my center channel back to life. This was unexpected. Dialog is now much easier to understand (as it should be).

2 Channel audio sounds a little bit better than it did with the NAD, though I'd have to A/B them to be sure. There isn't a night and day difference as there was for movies. Though, the NAD was no slouch to begin with.

I'd just like to finish up by saying that the people that rave about H/K sound are not crazy. They really do sound that good.

-- jaydillyo

Hey!

Sounds great, i have a 254 incoming. Would be nice if you could do the firmware update and see if the mac mini keeps the PCM on lock, would you please?


On another note..

I will, basically, only use this amp with my HTPC.. as the single source of audio/video. Maybe this would make the remaining bugs bearable for me, if only the audio lock will be stable with my NVIDIA (new 9300 chip).

Hopefully H/K takes this issue serious. They better get the next firmware out quick. A lot at stake, since these are really bad news. I read a lot about people looking at other brands...

Is it worth getting a 254/354 at this point? Given that most of the issues are fixed as indicated in the x54 problems/solutions thread?

Is there still a 50%+ failure rate on the x54 series as Critical Listener has indicated?

Will be importing this just in case so I just want to make sure that everything would be more okay than usual.

How many owners have actually gotten that pulsating fan noise issue?

Please be clear that the reliability the Critical Listener indicated with the H/K product line was based on our small sample of sales. A statistician would argue that the sample size is far too small.

That said, the Critical Listener has stopped carrying H/K products due to these recent reliability problems that we encountered.

im guessing your source is a PS3 if so then this is normal if you are not passing bitstream. basicaly the ps3 is already passing a decoded audio try switching the ps3 to bitstream and you will see the change in your 354 display change to dts making your 354 do the decoding.