Receiver lacks HDMI, is it worth it?

Question

Im planning on getting a Onkyo HT-S790 HT System. Also want to get a Optoma HD70 projector with a Sony Upconversion DVD Player. All but the Onkyo have HDMI. My question is

a) How will I get the audio out from the DVD player to the Onkyo Reciever without quality loss (no HDMI!) ? Toslink ? Does Optical/Toslink support 7.1 audio ?

Does lacking HDMI in the reciever compromise audio quality?

Thanks

I am getting a HDTV Projector and HD DVD Player yes (maybe even blu ray)

Recievers with 2 ore more HDMI Inputs and 1 HDMI Output are costing upwards of $1500 :-(

However can I not use a selector switch like

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/belkin-pureav-hdmi-switch-177998.php

I'll run the sources HD cable, HD DVD, Upconversion DVD (3xHDMI) to the selector and run a long wire between selector and projector (1 x HDMI)... This baby also has a remote!

Answer 1

It could but would not be heard on anything but the best of systems. reasons

HDMI is all digital and will send a pure signal for the receiver to decode. ]

IF you use an Optical toslink then there will be a digital to optical conversion and maybe a shutter in sound sometimes. Unlikely but possible.

However,

HDMI is where you want to go unless you are planning on this being a dedicated DVD theater and no HD television.

You Projector has 1 HDMI

You DVD Player has 1 HDMI out and hopefully you will use that.

Now If you want to connect anything else to the Projector you are going to have to downgrade to component.

If you Buy a Receiver with HDMI switching you can feed all the HDMIs into the receiver and send one to the projector. Also make sure it can output or upconvert(usually called digital to analog conversion) all signals to the HDMI. There are some receivers out there that do not even if they have HDMI. So if you want to connect and Xbox to the projector or something else that does not have HDMI then you will need to run a complete new set of cables or plug in directly to the projector. (Not easy if its hanging from the ceiling. )

If you want a receiver that will be around for a good long time and not kick yourself in a year because you chose the wrong one then look up one that has enought HDMI inputs( I recommend atleast 3 in one out but you can get away with 2 in one out.)
and does the Analog to Digital Upconversion so that all you will need is one HDMI cable going from you receiver to you projector.
This Pioneer is an example of what not to get
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069789_310966022,00.html
If you check out the specs it does have 2 HDMi inputs but will not send a composite(yellow Cable) orS-video signal over the HDMI.
I recommend these receivers.

Good Luck!

Note on your note: The issue still might come up about the conversion. If you are dead set on not adding anything else to the system then sure that will work. But the Onkyo you are picking cannot even send a converted signal out of its component outout. But if that will never be the case then sure a device like the belkin should solve you problems, and in a inexpensive way too. You may want to check out an RF remote to deal with all the remotes you will have. this might save you a few headaches http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=10930

Answer 2

psst - that hdmi port on the receiver is a pass through, and it is purely for video. You don't need it. Run the cable from the upscaling DVD player to the projector directly, and the audio via an optical toslink cable to the receiver. toslink will carry 7.1, but most movies aren't recorded in it anyhow.

You bought solid equipment. Don't waste your money on Blu-ray, stick with the upscaling unit and standard DVDs for now. The price will be lower on the players and DVDs in a year or so, and the upscaling unit will do you proud, based on the gear you bought.

You will be the envy of your friends. You bought solid, middle of the road gear - all very good quality. Hopefully, you were as smart on your speaker and sub-woofer choices.

Answer 3

I have the S790..but I'm not too worried about HDMI.
Audio quality so hard to pin down...the s790 has so many settings to play with, that its really not an issue...Its the fact that the HDMI has a new connector and it seems that the movie industry is forcing us to buy new equipment when the old its at all bad.

Just remember that receiver will not convert video signals...only S-vid in s-vid out....component in - component out....etc
The following quote is from a ZDNET.com review of a upconversion dvd player...

"Upconverting DVD players tout their abilities to make your DVDs look even better on your HDTV. But if you bought your HDTV a few years ago and have only component-video inputs, you're probably out of luck. Because of Hollywood's aversion to delivering high-def via analog, DVD players that are allowed to bear the HDMI logo can upscale only over copyright-protected ports, such as HDMI or HDCP-enabled DVI ports."

Answer 4

You will not have any problems with audio connection or audio quality. You just connect the audio separately using the optical or coax digital audio outputs, and let the HDMI carry video only. Both HDMI and the digital output must follow Dolby specs, so there will be no difference in performance.

The big problem arises if you have more than one HDMI source; the lack of HDMI input in your receiver means that you cannot switch video with your receiver; your problem is compounded if your projector has only one HDMI input. In any case, you will lose the convenience of one-button selecton of sources. Newer receivers are being made with HDMI inputs and outputs, but they are still rare. If you contemplate multiple HDMI sources (high def DVD, satellite, cable or broadcast tuners) you may want to look for a receiver that handles HDMI.

Answer 5

It is worth it if you have or plan to have a HDTV.
With an HDTV, a good value in a receiver would
be one of the Pioneer Elite models IMHO for
overall performance, also for a universal DVD
player as well. Arcam is an excellent value as
well if music is very important to you.

H a p p y
H o m e
T h e a t e r i n g !

Answer 6

I think