Greetings: I don't believe any A/V receiver is going to have a positive affect on the quality of any analog video signals. As far as the receiver is concerned, it simply switched the video source that is matched to (hopefully) digital audio out of the same device as the picture source. My A/V receiver is pre-digital (Dolby Pro-Logic surround) so I don't pass any video through it at all (composite video only supported). I'm sure there are some model A/V receivers that support s-video, and some even analog component, but would be surprised to find some that support DVI or HDMI switching (I'm sure they will be available eventually).
BTW: Have you noticed the great number of DVD players with HDMI outputs. You know that with your new set you don't need them since it does its own upconverting internally. If it did not, then you would see the standard definition line structure (remember what early projection sustems looked like up close?).
You first need to know what the quality is of the analog cable channels as delivered by your cable provider. If you haven't already connecting the cable from the wall directly into an RF input of the set (bypassing the splitter for this test) I recommend it. The quality you see there is the best it can ever be short of the cable co. providing a stronger or cleaner signal.
If you don't notice a difference when bypassing the splitter, that's good as it means you have enough signal getting to the splitter. If you do see a difference, I'd add an RF amplifier as close to where the cable signal reaches the house as possible (to minimize the amplification of any noise picked up by the drop). You must use one of the new style amps that passes the reverse signals from the DCT6412. When the installer saw my setup he immediately added an amp (no extra charge).
I have seen separate upconversion units, but I haven't seen that feature within an A/V receiver (but I haven't looked lately).
I too am a TiVo user (cable-not-satellite). I had to change quality mode to the BEST to minimize the quality hit during the analog to digital conversion performed before the signals are recorded on the HDD. It hurts to lose the extra recording time when making this switch, but to me the quality loss from using anything less is hard to stomach! And yes, it is hard to watch STANDARD DEF after watching HDTV for a while.
BTW: Have you noticed the great number of DVD players with HDMI outputs. You know that with your new set you don't need them since it does its own upconverting internally. If it did not, then you would see the standard definition line structure (remember what early projection sustems looked like up close?).
You first need to know what the quality is of the analog cable channels as delivered by your cable provider. If you haven't already connecting the cable from the wall directly into an RF input of the set (bypassing the splitter for this test) I recommend it. The quality you see there is the best it can ever be short of the cable co. providing a stronger or cleaner signal.
If you don't notice a difference when bypassing the splitter, that's good as it means you have enough signal getting to the splitter. If you do see a difference, I'd add an RF amplifier as close to where the cable signal reaches the house as possible (to minimize the amplification of any noise picked up by the drop). You must use one of the new style amps that passes the reverse signals from the DCT6412. When the installer saw my setup he immediately added an amp (no extra charge).
I have seen separate upconversion units, but I haven't seen that feature within an A/V receiver (but I haven't looked lately).
I too am a TiVo user (cable-not-satellite). I had to change quality mode to the BEST to minimize the quality hit during the analog to digital conversion performed before the signals are recorded on the HDD. It hurts to lose the extra recording time when making this switch, but to me the quality loss from using anything less is hard to stomach! And yes, it is hard to watch STANDARD DEF after watching HDTV for a while.
