Help with HDMI receiver

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, minus a few components. It looks like there just aren't any receivers under $1,500 that actually process the HDMI audio stream. There's a sticky in this forum about why you don't actually need HDMI and the more I research, the more it seems that's the case.

Even more so, take a look at this thread:
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It appears the pass-throughs don't support HDCP which makes your PS3 through HDMI useless. The HTIB packages that I've seen won't have enough video inputs to support all 4 of your components, and then you're still stuck with the HDMI pass through anyway.

Some people on the forum have been saying "wait for the new models", but at least pioneer doesn't seem to support audio through HDMI anyway this year:
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So might as well pick up a 2006 model at a discounted price.

Note: The stars in my post is this site, I just haven't hit my post limit.

That sticky forum your talking about makes the case that you may not need HDMI 1.3, not HDMI itself. Do some more research and you'll find HDMI audio processing is something you will want (LPCM, lossless audio, ect).

As far as HDMI receivers, there are many under $1,500. I have the onkyo 604, and it works great with my PS3, at 5.1 LPCM...1080p ...ect. Got it for $450 at j&r. The 605 is coming out soon at a similar price point... with LOTS of features ( video upconversion, HDMI 1.3...among many others!!!).

Hmm, I see. I thought I read that most of your Blu-Ray or HD-DVD processors will actually decode the audio in the player itself and pass the decoded stream to your receiver meaning you don't actually need your receiver to process the HDMI audio.

I actually made another post asking for what receiver I should get based on my setup, but no one's responding. Can you give some suggestions for any under $1,500? The posts I've read say the new models are coming in July or August, should we be waiting til then?

with my setup...I use my ps3 for games and blueray. my 604 decodes the audio via HDMI into multichannel lpcm at 5.1, and sounds great. It does not upconvert video...but does pass through 1080p fine.

There are allot of great receivers (yamaha RX-V1700, some great ones from Denon, Onkyo, sony, ect) With different feature sets, all well within your price range. There is alot of talk now about the new onkyos coming out. Definitely do some homework here...there is a wealth of information on these receivers right here. Go listen to them, then make up your mind.

i was prepared to drop about a grand on the yamaha RX-V1700, then i just decided it was to much money...so I got the ONKYO 604 and couldn't be happier! I guess If I could afford it, I would have got the yamaha, but that doesn't mean its any better than a denon, or whatever. everyone here has there own favorite... so make up your own mind. read the forums, and go and listen to them for yourself if you can.

It seems there is always something better coming out. I guess you could wait, but there are allot of fine receivers out now. I was never one to play the waiting game. Even if you wait, for sure next year they will be even better. I am truly happy with the 604.

good luck!

Read through the thread on the Sony str-da5200es. You can get one for around $1000 even though the msrp is $1500.

I literally just received the Onkyo 604 from J&R and now see that they will have the 605 out pretty soon. I'm not sure they'll let me return the 604 (and shipping will be pricey probably), but should I try to do that or is the 604 good enough as is?

well, the 605 does have some killer features that the 604 doesn't. But really...when new things come out, I like to wait a while after they are around and read the posts of owners, seeing if there are any bugs or problems. theres another couple months and who knows, that new yamaha might come out. seems like a never ending cycle.

again...the 604 is a fine receiver, in my opinion. I don't really need HDMI 1.3 right now, and have little need for upconverting with the PS3 (blueray is awesome!). I think I'm good for a few years.

Now its on to new speakers.......cha ching!

Can you clarify one more time for me please. I've heard HD-DVD and Blu-ray decode the audio streams for you and can send to your receiver. What advantage is there to having a receiver that decodes the HDMI audio stream? I'm not too worried about switching inputs from HDMI to Component for different systems because I have a Harmony remote that does all that for me. I'm strictly worried about the audio decoding ability.

Thanks!

HDMI can send uncompresseed PCM audio. For multichannel audio (>2), this is the only way, AFAIK, to get uncompressed audio. DD, DTS and all the others are compressed. Supposed to sound better, but I have not heard it myself. This is the "future proof" way to go.

Randy