"The" Onkyo TX-SR875 Thread - Page 50

You don't have it connected to the right sub output. It should be the one above where it says pre-out, not multiCh -- the purple connection farthest to the right (while looking at the back):

Briefly off topic......... was the AVS Forum briefly (a couple of hours) out of service/off-line this morning (Sunday) or did just my computer have a momentary brain-fart??

Is anyone of the boards in touch with a knowledgeable Onkyo rep? I find it almost impossible to believe they would ship the 875 with no reon controls, and then treat every 4:3 source as anamorphic. WTF?

I so want to pull the trigger on this receiver, but come on! I am understanding this correctly? There is no pillarboxing? My Laserdisc, PS2, SNES etc are going to be stretched across the screen instead of maintaining their OAR?

*shakes head in disbelief*

No, I couldn't connect either.

If there's sufficient interest in getting the menu for the Reon menu, it might be worthwhile to launch a concerted effort to persuade Onkyo. After all, it's only a matter of time before it becomes cheaper to fix the firmware than field repeated tech support calls...

Got it. I am a little overwhelmed right now with all my new equipement, all these options and little time to go thru this. I got confused because of the black white pattern that at first glance, made me think these outputs were for Zone 2 with the same pattern above. When I am done with my stupid questions, I hope to contribute at a higher level. Thanks a lot.

I am now totally convinced the HDMI issues I am having are specific to my HDTV. I knew going in it had issues with the 1080p via HDMI, but even using the HDMI->DVI converter created problems. For some reason, when I do this, HDMI seems to only allow 720p. For example, when the HDMI->DVI converter was in the path, my SA8300 DVR would only output up to 720p. Same thing with the Toshiba HD-A2. I am definitely now replacing my TV.

Now, On the audio side, I have been very pleased so far. One weird quirk is that the Audessy calibration thought my fronts were full range, and my surrounds were only down to 120Hz. I adjusted so all were crossed over at the THX defined 80Hz, which is where I wanted them anyway.

It was down for more like 5+ hours.

Brandon

I'm with you, someone light my torch!

I posted earlier in the thread asking everyone that wanted this menu to contact Onkyo (through their website support email) I have already emailed them twice with no response yet. I will keep emailing them until the firmware update or they respond about a secret menu. Please everyone flood them with phone calls and email. That is the only way they will respond. They have the menu in the 905 and they should be able to adapt that very easily to the 875 firmware.

Long time lurker with this thread - just wanted to add my impressions with my 3 days so far with the 875.

I am coming from an Outlaw 950 with 2 channel B&K 4420 for fronts and an older Rotel 976 running the remaining 5 channels. Speakers are older Energy e:XL series - "26" fronts, "C" center, "16" side surrounds, and "R" dipole back surrounds. They are all 8 ohm. Sub is a SVS 20-39 PCi. TV is Sony 60" RP LCD KDF-E60A20 (768p native) .

I was looking to accomplish a few things with this purchase - (or "how I convinced myself to buy this thing")

My usage is about 99% home theater and gaming - 4 years ago it used to be about 60% home theater / 40% music. Kids will do that to you. So, I felt I could "get away" with coming off seperates.

Current TV has only 1 HDMI input and I have 3 (soon to be 4) HDMI capable sources. So, looking to run them all via HDMI. Also, looking to ease switching between components (for the wife of course!).

Wanted to be able to listen to uncompressed audio on HD-DVD / Blu ray.

Finally, My TV falls in the Sony line that fails to properly deinterlace 1080i content. The E55A20 failed which is essentially the same TV as mine - just 5" less in screen size. See http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/0506halfrez/ and http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/1106hook/ So, I liked the idea of the Reon being able to properly handle 1080i - plus it could upscale SD content very well.

I did think of going with the Integra 9.8 pre/pro and keep my current amps but (1) local dealers pricing for it was $250-$300 more than what I could get 875 for and I'm already slightly over budget (don't tell the wife.) So, now I could sell my old amps to get under my budget hopefully.

My sources consist of DirecTV H-20, Toshiba HD-A2, PS3, XBOX 360 and Wii. Spent most of my time so far with HD sources so been mainly dealing with the DirecTV box, Toshiba HD-DVD player and the PS3 for Blu Ray - all with latest firmware.

Initial impressions were that this thing is a tank and I prayed my A/V rack would hold up to the weight (it has so far). Fit and finish are superb and it looks (if that matters to you) very nice - especially with the front door. Once I had everything hooked up I ran the Audessey setup. I was very disappointed with the results. Very thin sounding and there was no bass. I tried to run it again with the same results. It even made some odd desicions on my setup - it set ALL my speakers to Full Range! - even though only the fronts are floorstanding. The distances were pretty good and the EQ was just awful. I proceeded to turn EQ off and pull out the trusty Radio Shack SPL meter and 5 minutes later everything was much, much better. I may try and run Audessey again if I get really bored but I doubt it. I was really hoping it would have been better. I thought I did everything right - even using a tripod for the microphone - just wasn't for me.

The menu system is nice - easy to ready and follow after a few times through. It did take me a while to setup the default listening modes though as I didn't realize that the HDMI settings were "hidden" below the analog defaults for each input. Reading the manual solved that.

I've had NO HDMI handshaking issues. The video takes about 2-3 seconds to display when changing inputs. There are some minor clicks from the reciever when changing inputs - but nothing that seems abnormal.

Haven't had any speaker "popping" issues with normal use. The PS3 seems to make some minor noises - but no loud popping. I had similar issues with the Outlaw and the PS3 and I beileve this is a know issue with the PS3. Only time I had any real "popping" was when entering the setup menu from certain spots when the volume was too high. I've since learned to turn the volume down before entering setup. Didn't happen all the time but happened twice to me. Overall I have no concerns here - under normal use everything seems fine.

Sound quality seems to be very transparent and clean. My prior setup seemed to have more warmth but less detail than I hear now. Going through various demo discs that I am used to I am very happy with the overall sound quality.

I was a bit dissapointed with my first True-HD experience. I guess I was expecting more of what I experienced when I heard SACD and DVD-Audio. I guess with dialogue and explosions it is hard to tell a big difference. Glad to know I am getting the uncompressed sound but DD+ was/is great sounding.

What impressed me the most was the magic the Reon performs on the video signal. I can really see the difference. HD just seems clearer, sharper and more detailed. I haven't seen enough SD to make a call on that - mainly only DirecTV SD channels and with that - as they say - crap in, crap out. I do have to see how some SD DVD's look. It does a superb job feeding my TV an excellent 720p signal - couldn't be happier (unless they add the 905 Reon settings)!

The unit does run very hot and there is even a sticker on top warning of this! Thankfully my unit is not enclosed and can breathe freely but I would be concerned with this unit in an enclosed space.

I need some advice. I'm having a problem that just started with my 875. It used to be fine, it seems, until I played an SACD on the PS3 for the first time.

I have my PS3 going to the 875 via HDMI, and for some reason, when I try to play music CD's or PS3 games (even some of the downloaded games), the only Surround Sound options I have are: Multi-Channel, Direct, and oddly enough THX Cinema. Nothing else. Like I said, I used to get all the DSP options, with games. This just started happening right around the time I listened to an SACD for the first time, on my PS3. I've tried changing sources, inputs, PS3 sound options, unplugging the cable, and still no DSP options. I have my Denon 3930 hooked up via HDMI, and that works fine.

Any ideas?




I'm thinking about sending the 875 back to One Call, and exchanging it for the 905. Does anyone know if the 905 is having HDMI issues with the PS3?

Hi Everybody,

after reading for ages its time for the 1. post

I just got my 875 yesterday. I have a funny feeling that using the Reon to scale and deinterlace costs me sharpniss compared to my Pioneer DV-868avi giving out 720p to my Sharp XV-Z3000.

Had to take brightness down to.

I thought the Onkyo/Reon would be better. Maybe it would be with the settings changeable like the Toshiba HD-XE1 has.

Mike

I'll email them too. Can the 905 pillarbox? If not, they've got some serious work to do. If it can, could we not flash it with the 905 firmware? (Sorry, I've asked this before but only got 1 response)

At first I felt as if I lost some sharpness as well. I had to turn up sharpness in my display menu 10 notches. I had to lower the brightness as well. All is good after that. The 905 doesn't have a fix for this either. The Toshiba HD-XA1 has adustments for contrast and brightness that the 875/905 don't have. You have to compensate for this in your display menu.

Not sure if it would let you try with firmware for a different receiver, but it would probably make your 875 inop. Their are differences in the two receivers HD radio, 2 HDMI outs, etc. I would be surprised if it worked after trying to flash the firmware with the 905 firmware.
When I first connected mine everything was stretched for Comcast SD changed the menu settings in the Motorola 3416 and now i get side pillars on the screen and the display input menu still says 1080p for SD, HD picture is normal and deinterlaced to 1080p. Picture quality is much better for both.
Search this thread for post 1138 from Millerwill. A lot depends on the various equipment and settings you have.

yeah, flashing it w/ the 905 fw would be a really bad idea

You may have to tweak the PS3 audio settings. If you let the PS3 auto configure which signals to send over HDMI it will select a laundry list of options: 2 channel PC, 5.1 PCM, 7.1 PCM. When I had and 805 connected to PS3 and I let the PS3 auto configure the settings I believe it would pass 7.1 PCM unless the game or movie was set to Dolby Digital or DTS.

If you don't have a 7.1 system de-select that option and try seeing what happens then.

I emailed Onkyo product support and requested that they either instruct me on how to control the Reon vp or provide a fw upgrade. I suggest all ofther parties that wish to have control over the Reon vp do the same.

Thanks for the info. I do have a 7.1 system, but I will try de-selecting some of those options. We'll see if that works..

I emailed them already -- but I think it's better to call as well. Emails are cheap -- calls are more expensive to field and require human intervention .

Pester them every week and they will have to give in sooner than later. Here's the number to call:

800-229-1687

Tell them you want the Reon control menu on the 875!!!

Nick, I tried your suggestion, and it worked! It seems that if you tell the PS3 that your receiver is PCM compatible, it will convert everything to PCM. The only thing it gives bitstream options for is DVD/BR. No bitstream option for games encoded with DD/DTS. That sucks, but oh well.. I'm happy the problem is solved.

Thanks again!









On another note..I also emailed Onkyo, and told them that numerous 875 owners (myself included) would love the option to adjust the Reon settings, like the 905 has.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the reply from Onkyo on the first email I sent them on the Reon menu.....
It will probably take a lot of emails and some time before we see a menu update. My question is at the bottom, and all I get back is a snippet cut from the manual.

here is the email of the person who answered it from Onkyo
EFarrison@us.onkyo.com
Gary


Thank You for contacting Onkyo USA Product Support.

On the TX-SR875, you can specify the output resolution
for the HDMI OUT and COMPONENT VIDEO OUT
and have the AV receiver upconvert the picture resolution
as necessary to match the resolution supported by
your TV.



Thank you,

Eric F.


Again, thank you for contacting Onkyo USA Product Support, if you need further assistance feel free to call us at 800-229-1687 or visit our website ONKYOUSA.COM for product, catalogues, hookup diagrams, authorized dealer/service center locations, sales of new/refurbished products and
warranty information.

"New 2007 Onkyo Audio Products Coming Soon"

Product Support Team Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday 9AM to 8PM EST
Saturday & Sunday 10AM to 4PM EST

Subject: feedback_form.cfm?cat=Receiver
Model: TX-SR875

Comments: Why was the menu for Reon options omitted from the menus on the 875? All other Reon equipped devices allow control of the options. Will there be a firmware release to fix this? Thanks, Gary

lol

too funny

From the responses we've seen, I'd say it's becoming obvious that Onkyo has no plans to upgrade the 875 fw for fine tuning the Reon.

IMO I don't think its the Onkyo nor the Denon. I've connected each component by itself to the television and it was the PS3 that was making the poping sound. It only occurs when the PS3 is loading or transitioning to a different state. i.e. (watching a BD movie, playing a game, etc.)

Question for 875 and 805 owners: I want to get uncompressed PCM out of the Onkyo from my BR discs, but of course can only get the legacy DD etc. from sd dvds. Do I have to go into the menu of the Onkyo and change the output from PCM (for BR discs) to Bitstream (for sd dvds), or can I leave the 875 on PCM all the time? I.e., will it send the DD output from a sd dvd over HDMI? (Or maybe one should have both HDMI and digital optical cables connected to the 875 from the player, using HDMI for PCM and optical for Bitstream.) How do you guys do it? TIA!

Below is Onkyo's response to my email on the same subject/problem with the 875 a couple of days ago. Same song....second verse. Must be a canned reply to the Reon menu problem with the 875's. I wrote 'em again tonight but it's looking like we're SOL on the 875 Reon menu.

Standard answer is to point out the obvious; today only the 905 has reon customization settings. That does not mean users can't pester Onkyo to add these to the 875. Most support reps will only state what the products currently do; not what they could do.

I have been setting my 875 up over the last few days and ran into more wires not less with this new receiver and HDMI.

I have a Sony DVP-NC85H 5 disc DVD player which I planned to connect with just the HDMI connection to the 875 to get one cable all digital connections.

The first extra cable was adding the Right, Left analog cable to allow Zone 2, 3 to get the sound.

The second extra cable is because of HDMI hand shaking. HDMI hand shaking from this Sony DVD through the Onkyo 875 to my Zenith plasma TV seems to be rock solid no matter what order I power up the three components in. That is nice However, I use this changer for CD music also. When I turn on the 875, Sony DVD but NOT the TV just to listen to some CD's the HDMI active light on the Sony never comes on and I never get audio to the reciever even though the Sony DVD has starting playing. So, here comes cable number three to connect Coax from Sony DVD to Onkyo.

Now, this three cable work around gives me all the functionality I need and gives me all digital audio, video in the main room, but it certainly isn't the nice single HDMI cable future I was hoping for.

So, now here is my question for people with other disc players and the 875:

Can you play music CD's and audio only DVD's with no TV powered up over a single HDMI connection from the disc player to the 875? If so, which player are you using?

I am especially interested in people with the Oppo, Toshiba HD, and Samsung Blu-ray players as I am considering those for an up grade.

Thanks,

gby

Okay so I finally got a chance to play around with my 875 this weekend and here are my observations. It's an upgrade from a 10 year old HK AVR500.

The Reon does a great job with standard cable content from my Motorola 6416. I watch a lot of the Fox Soccer Channel and the grass used to look like it was dancing around all the time. Looks much better now. The 6416 unfortunately doesn't have an option to diplay native resolution so I have it set to 720p and 480i for SD content. All SD content is stretched to 16x9 but my Samsung DLP has the option to switch from 4:3 to 16:9 so it's not much of a problem for me.

I have a region-free Samsung 941HD hooked up via component outputing 480i and it looks great also, much better than before. I also have a HD-A1 and PS3 connected over HDMI. Picture-wise the HD-A1 looks about the same and the PS3 I picked up at the same time as the 875 so it's picture quality looks the same as the HD-A1. Wii hooked up via component at 480i looks much, much better than before.

I haven't had a chance to run the Audessy yet but will try and get around to it sometime this week. The one thing I definitely noticed was that I had to turn down the brightness and color on my TV. I have had no problems with HDMI handshakes and no popping on the PS3.

One question I have is what resolution should I output the video signal from the HD-A1, PS3 and cable box? My tv is a Samsung 5085DLP that can take in and display a 720p or 1080i picture. I currently have the previous 3 devices outputting at 720p. Should they be at 1080i? Also should I have my 875 ouput at 720p or 1080i?