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Receivers with good video switching

post #1 of 15
8/11/08 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking for a receiver to replace my 10 yr old Denon 3300. I need at least 3 component video inputs (which is easy to find). Is there much difference in video pass-through quality between, say, a $400 receiver and a $900 within the same brand? Are do some brands have cleaner video?

Basically I bought the $1,000 3300 back when I liked to crank it up and feel the audio. Now with kids either they're talking through the movie or we're keeping it down after bedtime. I don't NEED 110wpc with near component separates quality. But I do want to make sure the video is as good as possible to feed our projector.

I am looking at either Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo or Pioneer in that price range.... obviously I haven't narrowed it down.
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post #2 of 15
8/11/08 at 1:49pm
Are you looking for component video switching only, or component to HDMI upconversion?
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post #3 of 15
8/11/08 at 2:13pm
Depends upon what the highest resolution your expect to handle?
Today most AVRs can handle up to 1080p which requires a wide bandwidth of at least 50MHz (the higher the better) through Component Video inputs.
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post #4 of 15
8/11/08 at 6:33pm
Thread Starter 
I only NEED component video switching but HDMI upconversion is a plus (just wouldn't pay much more for it).

1080i or 720p is the most my projector will do.
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post #5 of 15
8/12/08 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 
Wow this is an active forum -- less than one day and this post is on page 3!

Anyone with brand/model suggestions?

Is there much difference in video quality between, say, a $400 receiver and a $900 within the same brand typically?
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post #6 of 15
8/12/08 at 8:43am
I have pre-ordered the Integra DTR-7.9. This receiver has plenty of features and a great upscsling/conversion section. I will post result when I get it set up.
This may be a receiver to consider. Integra also has the 5.9, 6.9
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post #7 of 15
8/12/08 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by corp miler View Post

Wow this is an active forum -- less than one day and this post is on page 3!

Anyone with brand/model suggestions?

Is there much difference in video quality between, say, a $400 receiver and a $900 within the same brand typically?

If you're looking for good Component Video switching... most current receivers will do a good job of passing the video through unchanged. When you get in the $900 range of receivers, they usually have 100Mhz component video vs. 50Mhz on the lower end. Whether that makes a big difference, I don't know.

There are a ton of options in your price range... and a lot of it will come down to your own personal opinion of what features you want. A lot of the recommended receivers include the Onkyo SR705, SR805, SR875 (or their upcoming 706/806/876 models); Denon 2309ci, 2808ci, 2809ci, 3808ci; Yamaha v663, v863, v1800; Marantz 7002, 8002; Integra; Pioneer Elite series; and Harman Kardon AVR 254, 354.

Since pretty much all of the receivers I listed above will do a good job passing component video... you're going to have to come up with extra needs you want from a receiver (or a set price) so we can filter it down.
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post #8 of 15
8/12/08 at 9:46am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply. I really only have 2 criteria: 1) 3 clean 1080i/720p component inputs 2) clean power, but don't need a lot.

I will be hooking up 3 components: TWC 1080i DVR, standard def DVD player, AppleTV and outputting to a 1080i/720p projector.

The room is set up for 5.1 and would take a lot of work for 7.1. The room is set up as a home theater and I don't need multi-room zones. I don't listen to the radio (the antenna was never even plugged in) so no need for XM or HD. I don't use surround modes other than DD or maybe DTS (which I so rarely find I wouldn't pay extra for it).

Audio wise, I don't need a lot of power. I have 5 Energy bookshelf or in-wall speakers (6" 2-way) and a 12" sub. I'd prefer my 30wpc Luxman turned up to 11 over a 100wpc Sony. I like Denon because they seem to accurately measure power. I don't know much about the other brands. I don't really NEED Luxman quailty or $1000 Denon quality. I don't sit in the sweet spot and listen to CDs anymore. Music is in the background and, as I said, most of the time people are talking through the movie. BUT I don't want want to cheap receiver with tons of marketing features and inflated specs either!

Pretty basic -- clean/conservative 5.1 power with 3+ clean component video inputs. I was even wondering about something like the Denon 1908 (clearance for $350) or Marantz 4002 $550. Not sure if the 1908 would be a noticeable step down from my 3300, but I'd guess it's as clean or cleaner than the Yamaha 863 or Onkyo 706 for twice the price?
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post #9 of 15
8/12/08 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by corp miler View Post

Is there much difference in video quality between, say, a $400 receiver and a $900 within the same brand typically?

Depends on the brand, you have to look at the specs for component video bandwidth. Some low-end AVR's will only have 30MHz component video switching -- my friend has a few year old Yamaha with this spec and I've confirmed through test patterns that it degrades the component video signal of HD inputs, softening the high frequency information.

Your 3300 actually has old, 30MHz component video switching. They didn't update to 100MHz until the 3803 model. If you want to see what will happen to your video, just route component video through the 3300 and you may be able to see the softening of the image.

Denon is a solid brand as they have excellent video switching, and publish their component video frequency specs.

Look into the Denon 1909. Since you are already familiar with the Denon system it should be very similar to set up, you get three component video + three HDMI, and most importantly since you have kids and whatnot you may find the new Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume features improve your sound a lot since you can't crank up the HT any more. The component video switching is rated at 60MHz so that should handle 720p/1080i no problem. If you have the budget stepping up the 889/2309 will give you a 4th HDMI input and a little more power, but you don't really need that with your setup.

Take a gander at the 1909/789 thread and read some reports of the new Audyssey features....
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post #10 of 15
8/12/08 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

Depends on the brand, you have to look at the specs for component video bandwidth.... Your 3300 actually has old, 30MHz component video switching.

Very interesting. I just assumed the 3300 had good switching, but it is a 10yr receiver after all and well before HDTV became popular.

So I guess the good news is either: a) pretty much any Denon/Yamaha/etc should have as good if not better switching b) I can easily increase the video signal for HD sources.

I'll have to see if the 1908 is better than 30mhz. $350 is a great price. All the xx08 models seem to be on clearance now.

Any others I should look into?
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post #11 of 15
8/12/08 at 12:51pm
I've been happy with the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K.
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post #12 of 15
8/12/08 at 2:02pm
I was specifically suggesting the 1909, not the 1908. The 1909 is a big step forward and offers many, many more features than the 1908, namely the new Audyssey Dynamic EQ/Volume stuff.
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post #13 of 15
8/12/08 at 2:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

I was specifically suggesting the 1909, not the 1908. The 1909 is a big step forward and offers many, many more features than the 1908, namely the new Audyssey Dynamic EQ/Volume stuff.

Yes, thanks. It looks like Denon is focusing on HDMI and not component. The 1908 is 100mhz where as the 1909 drops to 60... but many the 1908 is $350 rather than $600. I'll have to read more... and on the above Pioneer
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post #14 of 15
8/12/08 at 2:42pm
If you really don't care about HDMI and all you want is component video switching/upconversion our options are pretty limitless, and you don't have to spend a lot of money. If you like your Denon, you could get any Denon model since xx05 and it will do what you need (as long as you avoid the entry-level 5xx/6xx/150x/170x models). Any of them will offer three 100MHz component video inputs with upconversion of S-video/composite to component output.

For example the AVR 2105 or 2106 is available all the time for under $200 on ebay, will do everything you need, and have plenty of power.... and you won't be paying a premium for a feature you aren't using. They are basically the same thing as the 2307ci, without HDMI. No need to spend $350 on the 1908 when the 1905 or 1906 is basically the same receiver sans HDMI and can be had for $120ish on ebay.

PS - the only reason I was suggesting 1909 was for the Audyssey Volume and Dynamic EQ, which you may find useful to improving sound quality when watching at lower volume because of the kids. This is a new feature on 2009 model receivers...

PPS - I wouldn't sweat the 60MHz component switching unless you are doing 1080p over component, it is plenty for 1080i/720p...
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post #15 of 15
8/30/08 at 8:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by corp miler View Post

Thanks for the reply. I really only have 2 criteria: 1) 3 clean 1080i/720p component inputs 2) clean power, but don't need a lot.

I will be hooking up 3 components: TWC 1080i DVR, standard def DVD player, AppleTV and outputting to a 1080i/720p projector.

The room is set up for 5.1 and would take a lot of work for 7.1. The room is set up as a home theater and I don't need multi-room zones. I don't listen to the radio (the antenna was never even plugged in) so no need for XM or HD. I don't use surround modes other than DD or maybe DTS (which I so rarely find I wouldn't pay extra for it).

Audio wise, I don't need a lot of power. I have 5 Energy bookshelf or in-wall speakers (6" 2-way) and a 12" sub. I'd prefer my 30wpc Luxman turned up to 11 over a 100wpc Sony. I like Denon because they seem to accurately measure power. I don't know much about the other brands. I don't really NEED Luxman quailty or $1000 Denon quality. I don't sit in the sweet spot and listen to CDs anymore. Music is in the background and, as I said, most of the time people are talking through the movie. BUT I don't want want to cheap receiver with tons of marketing features and inflated specs either!

Pretty basic -- clean/conservative 5.1 power with 3+ clean component video inputs. I was even wondering about something like the Denon 1908 (clearance for $350) or Marantz 4002 $550. Not sure if the 1908 would be a noticeable step down from my 3300, but I'd guess it's as clean or cleaner than the Yamaha 863 or Onkyo 706 for twice the price?

From reading your post here, you are looking for the same receiver as me. I have narrowed it down to the Onkyo NR906 and SR876, they use the REON-VX chip which will de-interlace the 1080i signals and upconvert them out to 1080P, this is these are the best receiver you can get without breaking the bank. Denon 5308 has a better chip, but is also twice the money, if you were going to go that route, you might as well get a Dragonfly to upgrade your video signals. But I am not so sure even if the 2 I suggested is in your price range.....
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