The "Official" Onkyo TX-SR876 Owners Thread - Page 120

Sorry for the question that I'm sure has been asked before, but my searches on the forum are not leading to any answers unfortunately (and I'm a bit of a novice at this AV stuff). I've got the Onkyo 876 hooked up via HDMI to my Samsung Plasma (PN58A500) and Sony Blu-Ray (Sony BDP-S350) to a 7.1 speaker system, and need advice on the best audio selection to have it set on when I'm watching TV (via Direct-TV HD Receiver) or a DVD. There are so many options for audio settings that I just am not sure what to use. Any guidance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

ajbuster

ps3 multichannel
xbox 360 dolby d
directv dolby d or all channel stereo or pro logic
there are many to choose from, just find a couple you like and play with them

Well, I'm continuing to have this jitter / wavy problem when using the component inputs from a cold start. As stated in my earlier post, the problem is apparent on a fresh / cold start of the Onkyo. After about five minutes of warming up, the problem goes away and all looks great. I recently noticed this because I switched my DVR from HDMI to component for the living room. I've tried messing with the many signal processing configurations with no luck (source, through, 1080i/p, etc.) for both source and HDMI output. If I connect direct to the HDTV, there's no problem, thus it is indeed the Onkyo 876. My other component input source is for the Wii. I tried that as well and just noticed that it too has the same problem. The reason it went unnoticed for so long is because I recall the Onkyo had always been on (warmed up) for quite sometime before we ever decided to play the Wii (never did a cold start with it before). So both component inputs are producing the same problem. Hard to believe that both would be defective, so I'm thinking that I have something setup wrong in the menus. Anyone else have this problem? If not, can someone please post all their Onkyo setup configurations for component in with HDMI going out to HDTV? Again, the Onkyo will have to have been off for awhile for me to recreate the problem...if I just turn on and off after it's already been warmed up, then there is no apparent problem (hope that's clear). Thanks.

Have you tried going component out from the receiver to component in to the display to see if this still occurs? If not try that and see if it still does it.

Okay, I tested a component cable going out of the receiver to the tv (instead of HDMI) as you suggested and there was no jitter problem at all. Switched back to the HDMI output and the problem was still there. Of course all was fine after a few minutes of warming up. What does this tell me?

Typical HDMI B.S. Hdmi is a quick connection that sure is convenient and is loaded with problems. Thats exactly why you will read post here about now going to version 1.4 when the previous versions never worked properly with any or all equipment. Everytime you add a source you introduce another HDMI problem in some cases. As for your problem though you can leave it connected by component and have no problems whatsoever and be good to go from the start or go back to waiting for the AVR to warm up. There should be no difference in the picture. If you have a Harmony or some other remote control program it to change inputs and outputs and its done for you. That's the way I would go. Leave the HDMI for future use if it should be needed.

Hmmm...I do have a URC that could do the macro for input sources. However, I'll still be using the HDMI out to the display for the PS3 (which has never shown this same problem). That's what makes me think it's something going on inside the receiver and not necessarily the cable that's delivering it to the display. To avoid any confusion, here's all my input sources:

DVR - component - AVR - HDMI - Display (jitter problem first 5 mins)
Wii - component - AVR - HDMI - Display (jitter problem first 5 mins)
PS3 - HDMI - AVR - HDMI - Display (no problems)

Now the jitter problem goes away with the DVR & Wii if I swap the HDMI to component from AVR to display. If mine is having this problem, why wouldn't everyone else with this same Onkyo 876? Thanks for your feedback.

Hi,

I bought KEF iq 90 to use as Speaker B for music in my diff. room. I have connected the KEFs in Zone 2 L/R ports. I went to speaker setting, enable speaker B to normal. I also went to speaker config. and set Front to Full Band and other speakers as"No Use" mode. as directed by onkyo manual.

Problems i am facing is my Speaker A, JBL E80 is sounding more loud than KEF iq90 at same volume level. Also, when selecting Speaker B, only Pure Audio mode and Direct mode is playing, other than that no other mode is playing.

Can you please help when i am doing wrong?

Sandeep

If you haven't already, you will likely be better off asking in the 906 thread - one of the differences between the 906 and the 876 is that the 876 does not have Speaker A/B switching and most of us probably do not have experience with the issue you describe.

That said... many of us watch all of the xx6 threads because the models are so similar, so a 906 owner just might see your post here anyway... but the 906 thread still would be the better place to ask.

Good luck.

I'm sorry I can't help you with this problem as everything I use for sources is connected by HDMI. Evidently it is a HDMI handshake problem of something. It doesn't like your DVR(understandable) but I've never used a Wii on this AVR. DVR's have a history of bad handshakes with a lot of different receivers of all makes and models. In most cases these problems are cured by doing what you did with the component cables. As for the Wii, don't have one so someone else will have to help you there. I just don't understand why it goes away after a warmup period. Usually these problems start after the thing get warm to hot, not the other way around.

It likes my DVR just fine as long as I use an HDMI cable...no likey the component cable. That sounds like something internal.

I did a hard reset as a last resort for this fix with no luck. I know there's a workaround by going component out to display, but that's not how this AVR is suppose to work. Since there is an authorized Onkyo repair center in my area, I'll be bringing it in. If I ever go to resell this unit I don't want to have to explain why this feature doesn't work when it should.

Thats great if it is indeed the AVR. Don't be surprised if service center tells you there is nothing wrong with the AVR at all though. These DVR's have been playing havoc with ALL receivers since HDMI came out. They don't keep up with the growth of new connections hardly at all. Sure they will put out software updates fairly regular, but nothing hardware, too expensive.

Since I have the same problem with my Wii, I have to rule out that it's a DVR problem. I do have a DVD player with component outputs. I'll try that as a 3rd test tonight.

DVD player with component outputs produced the same problem. Dropped it off at repair center yesterday. Hope they can fix it.

I too have problems with the video quality when using component video to input the signal and HDMI to output to my display, as I indicated on 1/23. However, my video does not improve when the unit is warmed up or I'd be fine with that.

I'm using an xbox 360 which only has component video and upgraded my old receiver to the 876 mainly for the reason of needing only 1 small HDMI cable to my display. I don't want to have to hook up a separate - and very cumbersome 40 foot - component video cable just to retain the video quality when using my Xbox, which I also use for streaming Netflix movies. I was thinking it was a problem with upconversion with my receiver but from what I'm hearing, it appears the receiver is probably okay and just need to live with the poor video, which is very, very disappointing. I'll also add that HDMI overall seems to have lesser video quality than component - hmmm.

mpr, i wonder if the hdmi board has gone bad in your avr..

unless netflicks is broadcasting blue-ray, the chances are you're still watching mpeg2 quality video, it would pointless trying to upconvert a image to a higher bit rate when at best the image you got is no better than 720i or 720p...

I doubt netflicks would be broadcasting in 1080i or 1080p...

beagan try replacing the hdmi cable by the sounds of it the hdmi cable is faulty..

mystic, I did swap the cable out just to eliminate that as a possibility even though it works flawless for the PS3. 876 is already in the shop for repair.

The video processor in this unit is near the best of its kind. Pointless to upconvert? Regardless of the source, I'd say let the Onkyo do it's job. You wouldn't use that logic for 480i/p sources, right?

I hope someone can help me with this.
I was wondering if it's possible to run the receiver under the following conditions:
1. Output my PVR video (HDMI input) via HDMI to my TV.
2. Have sound come from my xbox360. I have the 360's sound input to the receiver using both optical audio and L/R stereo.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

It's not a problem for the 876... once you assign the HDMI input to the logical input, you can go iinto the audio input setup menu and "break away" the audio input on the receiver and reassign an optical input for audio on that logical input. You can also connect the analog inputs if you wish, and you can select between all three audio sources (while leaving the video path untouched) using the Audio Sel command. That is a "wrap-around" command... there are also discrete IR commands available (if you have a programmable remote) to directly select analog, digital (coax/optical) or HDMI audio sources.

Just to be clear, if I normally just watch my tv using the full hdmi path ( audio and video ), I can use my Harmony remote to use the tv activity, then use the Audio Sel command to cycle through the available audio sources? Is this possible, even though I've assigned the optical input for the 360 to the Component Video input for the 360? I believe I've tried using the Audio Sel button on the remote while the receiver is outputing sound and video from the PVR and neither the L/R audio (AUX1) or the optical audio (optical1) come up.

Aaron

Unlike the HDMI inputs, you can assign an optical or coax input to more than one logical input, so yes, if I understand you correctly you can do that.

You can also create two separate activities in the Harmony and add the correct discrete audio select IR code to the startup of each activity so that you don't have to manually change the Audio Sel function.

Thank you so much, jcalabria!

I still can't get over the fact that I can't have separate tone settings for each input ( HDMI1, HDMI2 etc ). ie. having sub level different when using HDMI1 than when I'm using HDMI2. Other than that, this receiver rocks!

Aaron

Your Harmony can do that for you, though. The 876 supports a discrete Subwoofer Level IR command (instead of hitting the speaker channel button multiple times to get to the Sub channel). So, for instance, at the startup of an activity that you wanted the sub running 2 dB hotter, you could add the following string of 876 commands to the startup sequence for that activity...

• Sub Level
• Level Up
• Level Up
• Level Up
• Level UP

...and at the close of the activity you could add the inverse commands to the activity shutdown sequence (only necessary if you go directly to another activity... changes made "on the fly" to the speaker levels of the 876 reset to the levels set in the speaker menus once the receiver is set to standby.)

Man, jcalabria, you are full of useful information!
How do I get that discrete command? It's not a default command in the list for my Harmony One and this receiver.

Aaron

Here

Thanks again, jcalabria.
That will save me having to create an activity just to automate the adjusting of sub level.
Looks like you need your serial number to create an incident so I'll submit one when I get home.

Thanks again!

Aaron

I have a arcam DVD player connected by multichannel analog cable as well as HDMI to the 876 receiver.
I do not understand why PCM and DVD A can be relayed over the analog multichannel input but the DVD Video disc audio can only be adequately transmitted over the HDMI. My other Integra receiver would transmit DVD video audio over both digital and analog connections.

Well... I am now on my THIRD 876 in three weeks. I ordered a refurb at the first of Jan. After about 2 weeks I decided to hook up my Xbox 360 via component cables, and my 876 component inputs did not work. So I was told to ship to Onkyo and a new refurb would be shipped to me. I received the new one today and the speakers do not work! I tried everything, no sound what so-ever. So I called the company again and my third refurb has been shipped. We will see if 3 times is the charm. BTW - I just finished my dedicated HT and am expecting 30 people for super-bowl to show it off...

Well, the certified Onkyo repair center could not replicate my problem (post #3577). I had to call them 4 days later for an update. The asian guy had a super thick accent and did not understand the problem. So I drove down there yesterday to point it out to him. I was able to go behind the partition wall at the shop to see the setup they were using and I felt very uncomfortable bringing my AVR to this very disorganized place. There was components upon components stacked on each other and HDTV's leaning against one another on the floor. Crap was everywhere. Second sign was that he was trying to demo the problem on a 4:3 17" Westinghouse via dvd player using Rush Hour. The whole picture looked like crap (like VHS quality). Of course he wouldn't see the problem. And then he says, "See...picture". Ugh!! That's not the problem. Finally got them to hook up to an HDTV with BD player. Of course, everything worked perfectly. What? I couldn't believe it. I'm convinced that they had the receiver on for quite some time before I got there, as it fixes itself when warmed up. I took it back home hoping I had two faulty cables that I tried. No luck. The problem was still there on two different HDTVs all with different cables. When hooked up directly to the HDTV, no problems at all. I don't get it. Just going to use the component output for the problem sources then. Not worth the drive back there, nor would I want to bring anything of value there again. Can't believe nobody else has said if they have the problem or are willing to do the same hookup to see if its evident on theirs too. I guess I'm stuck with it.

What are these 2 displays? Is it possible there are updates for the displays? I don't understand this problem at all. Maybe jcalabria has an answer for you. He seems to know more about this model than anyone else here. I can't help you with it. Sorry