The *Official* Onkyo TX-NR515 Owners Thread

i just got this last night. i'm having some trouble getting my nintendo's composite video to output over hdmi.

i've owned the 605 and i've used the 609 so i'm familiar with the onkyo setup menus. i had both of those receivers properly outputting video from my n64 by composite over hdmi out to my tv.

i have the n64 hooked up through the "game" input. go to the setup menu for hdmi input, and enter "----" for game. and enter "----" for component input for game.

now, i get sound, but no video. i tried hooking the video straight to the tv and it works, so i know its the 515.

i've previously exchanged the 515 for a 609 because i've had this issue before. i thought it was a defective unit. but now it seems like this is a common problem for all 515's. i returned the 609 because of dropped frames in 1080/24p and decided to give the 515 another chance...

i have 30 days to find a solution or it looks like this one is going back too.

I picked one of these up (for someone) and after reading less than stellar reviews I have been testing it out for a week or so. Just your typical usage TiVo, streaming local HD video/audio and Pandora. So far two firmware updates and zero issues. I only gave $299 for it however before I install it (for good) I'd like to know what issues people are having so I can see if they are relevant for this installation and repeatable.

are you able to get analog sources to output over hdmi? i was told you need to downgrade the output of the source to 480i and let the 515 upscale it and it will then send it out over hdmi. i was unable to get this to work.

 

Haven't been analog for more years than I can count so I can't help there. Have you checked Onkyo's forum? That's where I saw report after report of various issues... which scared me. Not sure what analog connections it has but I guess I could connect TiVo as such.

yeah, ive been on the onkyo forums as well. onkyo support cant seem to explain why i cant get picture over my hdmi from component or composite. ive already set up the return process with amazon.

Anyone aware of a way to get the volume level to show in dB on the receiver instead of the 1-100 scale? I'm assuming it's hard coded that way, with no option to change.

Hi rliebher, NR515 has no option to change over to Relative Volume display (next model up does NR616).

Thanks, JChin. I appreciate the help.

Does anyone know how the 515 handles two subs during Audyessey configuration?

The same way it does with any Audyssey version other than XT32 w/Sub EQ HT .... ie. it treats them as a single sub. The dual sub pre-outs are nothing more than an internal "Y" splitter which can be replicated on non dual sub pre-out models using a $3 RCA "Y" splitter cable. However, note that with 2EQ (717 and lower models), Audyssey does not EQ the sub, rather only distance and level settings are applied.

Thanks, jdsmoothie.

I just purchased this receiver for my parents. They have an older tv which only has component connection (and s-video that this receiver does not have). Can i connect their dvd and cable up to the receiver using hdmi and then video to the tv using component (r,y, g)? I tried but could not get video. Or will i need to buy a hdmi to component cable? Just realised that you can not get a hdmi to component cable. one is digital and the other analog. the analog inputs on the tv would not know what to do w/ the digital signal. is s-video digital or analog.....
Edited by pne123 - 9/4/12 at 9:24am

I just got mine delivered today. Looking forward to hooking it up and replacing my old Onkyo 674 with it.

I'm hoping to run everything (including Nintendo Wii) through it and everything out a single HDMI. Wish me luck.

There was a notice in the box about doing a firmware update. I've downloaded the update from August down from their website. Any issues with it?
Edited by wdkerbow - 9/7/12 at 11:08am

Update:

Got it all installed and working.

The Firmware update took about 30 minutes via USB drive in the front

I connected all of my speakers and devices, did the initial setup, played with the settings a bit. And all is good.

For the Wii, I use the Component cable that has the L/R audio as part of the bunldle of cables. I plugged the three video cables into "Component In" and the two audio cables into "Game" (composite connection). I next went into the settings and set the input for Component / Game to" IN1". I blanked out the other selections on that same screen.

Programmed my harmony remote, tweaked the power settings for the 515 (power button function on the remote)

All is working, took about two hours all together.

No avr that i know of downconverts hdmi to analog. To get video you will have to use component or composite output.

As noted on p. 50 (Owner's manual), you'll need to either connect component IN ---> component OUT, or else use an HDMI-->component converter.

If you have any other analog video devices that use component, also note that the component input resolution MUST be 480i to be upscaled to a higher resolution.

Soo, should I buy it? It seems like the best price on a receiver with 2 hdmi outs. Only $300 at Fry's right now.
I have loved my onkyo 506 and had no problems, but it is time to upgrade.
The low price and all of the complaints actually worry me. Is this receiver a lemon?

PS I heard that the rc460 is basically the same unit (but sells for more on Amazon)

Upgrade what? Not the audio as both models have the same version of Audyssey 2EQ.

Yeah, it really isn't that much of an upgrade. I think I would be loosing wattage!

The sr506 does not do audio over HDMI. My HTPC is in another room so I just run HDMI to my tv. I also run hdmi from the Bluray and dvr into my TV then use the tv's optical out to take sound to the receiver. Basically, I was using my TV to switch components. Now that I purchased a projector this is no longer a viable solution.

I sold the sr506 on craigslist for $130.

I suppose I could just buy a used slightly newer receiver that can decode audio over HDMI and an HDMI splitter...
I just thought maybe it would be slicker to use a receiver with 2 HDMI out. Money is a factor, and I really want to spend under $350.

As the 506 is gone and you need a replacement, and the 515 offers the features you need, then go for it.

I must be an idiot or something, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to access hdmi inputs 5, 6, and 7. There is no information anywhere and nothing on the remote seems to access these inputs.

If you refer to p. 50 in your Owner's manual, you'll note that HDMI 1-4 are pre-assigned with source names while HDMI 5-7 can be assigned one of those same names if desired.

That part I understand, but how do I view the actual input on my TV? I am trying to hook up a PC to input 5. It seems like the reciever either does not recognize it and I cannot view it on the TV. What am I doing wrong? What are the steps necessary for this?

HTPC video cards sometimes have issues connecting to AVRs, in some cases requiring a different video card. First, ensure the HTPC video resolution is set to a standard TV resolution and that it can play when connected directly to the TV. Then try connecting to each of the HDMI inputs on the AVR to see if one works better than another.

Thanks for the help. The problem is I cannot access the inputs. I tried hooking one of my DVRs to input 5 and it did nothing. The remote control is no help as I cannot switch to the inputs with that. All I get on the TV screen is a blue picture. How do you access the inputs?

Until HDMI5-7 are assigned a source, they won't work. Follow the instructions provided on p. 50 in your Owner's manual.

I must be a real dumbass! How do you switch to inputs 5, 6, and 7 using the remote? For the life of me, I cannot figure this out!

Access the HDMI Input screen (p. 50) from the Setup menu and then "assign" a source to HDMI5,6, and 7. So for example, the "BD/DVD" source is currently assigned to HDMI1, so change that assignment to "---" and assign BD/DVD to HDMI5. Then when you press BD/DVD on the remote it will select the device connected to the HDMI5 input and not HDMI1.