Cheapest, most dependable receiver with full HDMI switching?

You will probably want one that will transmit audio over HDMI and most current models do not. The new H/K AVR247 does that (HDMI v1.3) and also has DCDi video upconversion as well. List is $499 but J&R has it at a preorder price that saves $50 plus free shipping. Should ship later this month I think.

[quote=dsmith901] The new H/K AVR247 does that (HDMI v1.3) QUOTE]


I think the new HK AVR 247 and 347's are HDMI 1.2 not 1.3

I'm looking at the Sony STR-DG810 and 710. Both are due out this month and report true HDMI switching. The manuals are available online and the 810 says it has full HDMI support and specifically shows the HDMI setup.

Anyone have this model yet and can confirm? MSRP is $399 for the 810.

The 510 model looks like it just has pass-through.

The Onkyo TX-SR604 will only output video on HDMI if it came from HDMI. If you want the component and other analog inputs to go out on HDMI for a single cable to the display, you need to step up to the TX-SR674. However, there is some incompatibility with PS3 @ 1080p HDMI, but Onkyo's working on it. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray @ 1080p don't seem to be a problem. Go figure. The Sony STR-DG1000 is equivalent to the TX-SR674 in that it will digitize the video and send it out the HDMI. I think the DG1000 the lowest Sony model that has analog-digital conversion to HDMI. I haven't researched the Yamaha line much because the models of interest were significantly more expensive than Sony & Onkyo. It also seems that the Onkyo TX-SR674 cannot accept 7.1 LPCM over HDMI. 5.1 LPCM and DD-AC3 is no problem over HDMI. See the TX-SR674 Owner's Thread.

- Mike

Denon 887 Refurb

I almost bought a 604 until I saw the compatibility (hdcp handshake) issues relating to the PS3.

I am hoping the Sony str-dg810 will be 100% compatible with the SONY PS3! But we won't know for sure until it is available.

I own a PS3 and have HDMI issues with my TV, so this is the main reason I was upgrading to an HDMI receiver.

If your TV already has problems with the PS3, adding something in between isn't going to make it any better.

The current video flickering problems perople are experiencing with the TX-SR674 & PS3 are absent when the PS3 goes direct to the TV. If you can either live with 1080i or DD (not TrueHD) audio, or Toslink optical audio, you won't have any problem with a PS3 connected to a SR674. However, people want the holy grail of A/V: one cable with 1080p and next generation audio decoded to LPCM on HDMI. That's where the problem lies with the PS3/SR674 combo.

- Mike