The "Official" Onkyo TX-SR607 Thread - Page 2

Does anyone know any material which is encoded with the new dolby PLIIz format? or is this just an operation performed by the avr?

It definitely needs to be encoded into the audio (like Dolby Pro Logic IIx) although the AVR could probably try to just randomly guess and create a height channel it wouldn't be guaranteed sound correct unless it was encoded in IIz.

I did a quick search and could not find any media that specified it was encoded with IIz either.

jk04523 -

Thanks a lot for providing the measurements. - this helps me a great deal.

Yeah, I was reading the manual some yesterday and they list the dimensions as 171/8 x 615/16 x 1215/16 (WxHxD) so it seems to line up pretty well with my measurements.

What? That's not how I understood it worked. Do you have a source to this info?

Well I had been reading the Dolby website and this particular line stuck out at me:


Of course, on another page they say this:


I think the point is that you can move sounds to the height speakers and the system can do its best to try to identify what sounds should go up there but if the guys who were encoding the audio didn't specifically target IIz when they made the mix, you don't know that moving it to those speakers is any better.

For me, it boils down to the fact that if the audio wasn't encoded in a way that knows there will be Z channels, I don't see how anyone can guarantee that the Z channel is accurate or an improvement.

For someone who has the 607 already, hows the heat on this thing? I've heard the 606 was a barn burner, to an extent(I know my Onkyo 705 is). I'd be interested to hear how the heat compared to other Onkyos. I have one on order from NewEgg.

Also, how to you think this one compares to the 705? I am debating swapping out the 705 for the 607 as my main receiver and using the 705 for the upstairs(which is where I had planned the 607 go). Anything major the 705 sports that the 607 doesn't(besides power, as that is not a main concern)?

Does anyone who has this receiver hooked up to a ps3, are you getting the buzz that the 606 had. Have a 606 and can exchange it for a 607 which would be nice for the extra hdmi inputs, but if it's buzzin might want to opt for the 706. Even though I would have to have them order it for me, and not to mention the extra cash to upgrade.

I've got a PS3 which I've only used a little bit since I got the 607 on Thursday but I didn't notice anything when I was watching part of Quantum of Solace on Blu-ray or when I was playing a little Burn Zombie Burn. I probably only used it for an hour or so though and wasn't really listening for it.

It has resolved some HDCP handshaking problems I was having with my PS3 and Mitsubishi WD57733 DLP though so that's been a plus (I switched from my TiVo to PS3, something that used to always cause me problems when they were both plugged into the TV directly and had no problem getting the PS3 to come up).

I just rented The Wrestler off the PSN Video service though and will probably be watching it tomorrow or Wednesday. Plus my permanent speaker wire should arrive form Monoprice today so once I've got that configured and watch an entire movie I'll be able to comment on any buzzing with more authority.

ETA: Chuck_IV, It definitely gets warm. I haven't had a decent receiver in a while so I can't compare it to actual decent ones from the past few years but my cat used to like to sleep on this old Yamaha one from the 90's I had (which was a nice moderate warmth) but I don't think I'll ever catch him trying to sleep on this one.

I doubt you're going to get an accurate answer until the unit is several months old, widely available, and in tons of people's homes. Most responses in the 606 thread, for instance, would tell you the unit has no problem. I'd like they think they fixed it 100% in the new line (they might have even fixed it in late model 606's), but honestly, I'm still concerned by Onkyo failure to really substantiate it's existence and the number of variables surrounding it. Why did they not do voluntary recalls on the early models, why are they making customers pay for repair shipping on a (early) model wide defect, and why were they having so much trouble identifying the cause and shipping back unrepaired hardware?

Hi everyone,

I'm pretty much a newbie to the whole AVR scene (my current AVR is a circa 2001 Sony STR-DB840). I want to upgrade to the something new and struggling to make the purchase decision on the 607. Here are some thoughts:

1. First, to start, I have a SA 8300HD DVR through Time Warner. Also have Panny upconverting DVD recorder, Apple TV, and a Panny ED plasma. Speakers are Polks 6600 (5.1) w/ a PSW450 sub also circa 2001 (sub is newer).

2. Upgrade path is AVR (now), then TV sometime in the next year, then speakers shortly thereafter.

3. After having done all of the research, here is what I think is important to me (apart from the general stuff of HDMI ports, power, etc., etc.): a) Dynamic Volume - we have kids who sleep on the other side of the wall from the TV and I can't stand needing to have the TV remote in my hand every time I watch a movie. b) OSD (on screen display). My equipment is behind a door, so I would like to be able to tell on my TV what volume the receiver is at, whether is muted, the input, the sound field, etc. c) Audyssey - I would prefer something that's easy to setup and from I can tell, is the best b/w it and the other options. d) Ease of setup - This is what probably knocks the Denon's out since what I've read generally puts the Onk's ahead of Denon in that category.

After having narrowed it down, I think that the 607 is the machine. Here are my concerns with the machine:

1. It's new and I haven't seen the reviews of it that would make me comfortable.

2. Does the Audyssey Dynamic Volume really work or is just marketing mumbo jumbo? If it doesn't work, then I'd probably be better off saving my money and going with the 606.

3. I really can't get a good idea of OSD and how it's implemented anywhere. It says that the 607 has it and the 507 doesn't, but is this just the fact that you can't do remote programming onscreen with the 507 or is it that you can't get ANY information whatsoever with the 507. All I really need to know is volume level/mute, although input and sound field would be helpful as well. If I could get this basic info from the 507, I would probably just go with that since it's cheaper and also has Dynamic Volume. I know that I won't get the upconversion capabilities, but since I only have a ED plasma, I don't think it matters all that much. I figure that it could be useful when I upgrade to 1080p, but then again, most people don't put a lot of stock into the Fajourda processing anyway.

4. Other options that I've looked at are Denons (harder to setup), Yamaha 465 and 565 (YPAO is not as well recommended, plus thought to be underpowered).

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ed

Can't really give you too much info on any of those. Never tried the dynamic audio stuff (I've only had it a few days and I'm not really looking to use that feature). As for the OSD, I run all my stuff via HDMI which the OSD won't overlay (due to HDCP issues I'd guess) so the only time I see it is when I specifically ask to edit the settings. As for as OSD's go, it's certainly not very nice looking but that's really all I can say about it.

I'd definitely hold off on buying it if you're not going crazy to buy something. I knew I wanted to buy something and that if I didn't order this one soon I'd end up blowing my budgeted cash on something else. I'm sure a lot more information about the quirks of the system will be coming out as time goes on though so I'd just wait a month or so until it's in wider circulation and more info comes from a larger pool of people.

One other note on the new Yamahas(565, 665, dunno about the other new ones) is their inputs are not assignable. It's not a big issue if you are doing just HDMI, but if you have other inputs it's something to consider.

I wish I could wait, but it's hard when the tax refund is burning a hole in your pocket. I wish I could get a better idea of how the whole OSD-thing is implemented, but it's not that well documented (read the 607 manual) and it's hard to find stuff online and in the forums. I guess the best thing to do would be to just buy it and then return it if it doesn't meet my needs, but I generally am opposed to doing that.

Thanks for the help.

Yeah, that was one thing that is keeping me from the Yammys, in addition to the spring clips.

Thanks.

I'm not sure any AVRs have OSD over HDMI other than the setup menu. The xx6 Onkyos would do it if the input source was analog.

Gosh, I never really knew this whole OSD would be so complicated. I've read in some places that it only works over HDMI, and I've read that it doesn't work with HDMI. Frankly, I don't know what to think anymore and no one seems to know how the 607s handle it.

One would think that to add volume and other basic info as an overlay onto a video processed stream wouldn't be too difficult, but I guess it is.

I'm feeling like my only answer is to just buy the thing and test everything for myself.

HK receivers 254 and up will overlay both setup menus and volume controls over HDMI and up to 1080p. Not sure how they do or why others can't get the volume control over HDMI.

If it's like the 606 and most onkyos, it will work over whatever you have to set up as your video feed out (component or hdmi). You need to set the monitor appropriately.

OK, thanks, that's helpful.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Aud Dynamic Volume?

The Onkyo 706 has video overlay via HDMI. So the 607 does not is that correct?

That is incorrect. I just received my 607 today and did a quick setup. The OSD runs through the HDMI. It really doesn't matter how the OSD looks, as you will only use it when changing settings. You definitely won't be using this as a background.

I would like to also comment on my first few hours with the 607:

After setting it up, my wife wanted to watch American Idol, so we watched it quickly without any calibration whatsoever. At first, I was scared that I made the wrong decision. I replaced an older Yamaha RX-V750 with the 607. It sounded bland, low, and just uninspiring. American Idol seemed to last forever tonight. Anyway, it ended and the setup process began...

I like to do my own calibration for the speakers and I can say that the level calibrations are a God send. After tweaking the dB levels for each channel, I was blown away by the sound. It was like I was listening to 2 different receivers (before calibration and after). I have a pretty large living room (21x25) and it filled the room with sound with no problem. By the way, I am running Klipsch for the center, fronts, surrounds and back surrounds. I have a 15" Cambridge Soundworks sub. They seem to have more presence and crispness.

It is getting late, but I felt I had to put something up on the site to give you guys something to read. If you are on the fence with this receiver, don't hesitate. It is a beauty! Tomorrow, I will attempt the auto mic setup (I started it, but it is pretty loud and my kids and wife are already asleep).

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to fire them at me. I will be visiting the site daily to give updates and answers.

So far, so good. Oh so good! I am pleasantly surprised.

esoh,

TrustedReviews posted a review of the TX-SR607 the other day.

A quote: "But the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the SR607 is quite simply delicious, delivering outstanding sound quality with movies and music."

Outstanding music sound quality from a 24lb, 7.2 channel, $499 A/V receiver??? I don't believe it. Good or even great for the $$$$ maybe, but not outstanding.

I, for one, don't trust their review.....it's too much hype, even for a reviewer, IMO.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/home-c...AV-Receiver/p1

Believe it, bro. I was just as surprised for a receiver at this price point.

The review may be misleading. If you read it, they claim this receiver is 140w per channel. Maybe they reviewed the wrong receiver. I'd like to hear some more feedback from people who picked this receiver up. I was going to either get the 607 or the Yamaha V765. Not really knowing what the main differences are makes the choice difficult. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

You might be interested in the thread and this link where the president of Audioholics says that Audyssey is more useful than YPAO:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post16357369

OK, I setup the Audyssey this morning and although it did a great job with the calibration, I found it a little light on the dB's for the channel level calibration. Now, I can't adjust the calibration levels. For some reason it is blacked out and I need someone to help me get back in. I would like to do some minor tweaking to get it exactly to match my taste.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can assist me with this problem.

I've got my DishNet VIP-622 HD DVR running thru my 606 via HDMI and the commercial volume can be deafening. Can anyone comment on the effectiveness of the 607 Dynamic Volume feature?

So I was reading through the PDF manual, trying to decide if I want this unit. The way I read , It looks like EITHER the front height speakers OR surround backs can be selected in the setup. Can someone confirm this? I guess it can still only run 7 channels, not nine? Anyone?

I've tried DV in the Denon 1909, it worked, It did even the commercials out somewhat, some are louder than others but it wasn't perfect. Frankly I use night mode when needed on my Onkyo 706 and imo it gives the same results.