AV Receiver shopping: Best for Wii and PS3?

[texas_nightowl]

I'm going nuts looking at specs on some of the different receivers...haven't shopped for a receiver in over 10 yrs so HDMI, etc. is completely new to me...only looking now because I'm getting a PS3 and a new plasma (only 768p). I am stupid about lossless audio and differences in sound types. I am only going to be running a 3.1 or 5.1 setup in the near future. No immediate plans to go 7.1.

I was wondering who has their Wii connected via their AVR and if so, does it upconvert? How good or bad does it look? What model AVR do you have and what do you like/dislike about it?

[hammondc]

Budget?

[texas_nightowl]

Definitely under $1k...prefer 500-600...open to refurbs/last year models if appropriate.

[JoJoDaClown]

Well, you're only going to get 480p from your Wii, and sound is aweful anyway, so don't worry about that one. Since you have a 720p TV, I'd connect HDMI from the PS3 to the TV, and optical cable from the PS3 to the receiver.
For the receiver, you've got just a entry level system, so just stay entry level with a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box).
You'd be fine with this for $270:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-HT-SR600-5-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-Black-HT-SR600/sem/rpsm/oid/179767/catOid/-13325/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Don't bother spending much until you have something worth pairing it with.

[texas_nightowl]

I guess I'll go ahead and list all the devices I have right now and say that I want to buy something that I won't "HAVE" to upgrade for at least 4-5 yrs.

Panasonic 42PX75U 768p (720p) plasma
Tivo Series2 (non-HD)
PS3
Wii
Toshiba SD DVD player (though given the price drops on the A3, I might upgrade here)
no cable box...I only have basic cable which I am supposed to be able to get the HD feeds of my local channels through.

And for budget...the amount I gave is for receiver only...I have another budget for speakers though that will also be in the $600-$800 range for l/r fronts, center, sub...looking at ascend acoustics or aperion or the polk rti8's on sale at frys.

[zmarko]

You can easily get a kick ass receiver for $500.

[RabidBunny]

Depends what you want. Look at Sony DG910 or Onkyo 605. I think you might want the Onkyo unless your Tivo has Component video output. You might be able to upgrade to the Onkyo 705.
Rabid Bunny
PS This is what I see on the Cable. Wii Component out to Reciever. Tivo Component out to receiver. Dvd Player component out (will switch to HDMI when you upgrade), PS3 HDMI to receiver. From receiver to TV HDMI cable.

[LBC99]

shoponkyo.com ... you can get a good deal on a refurb direct from Onkyo.

[aclays]

are there any decent hdmi receivers for under $250? I've got a panasonic xr55s hooked up to 6 polk speakers. I had to wire the hd-dvd player and cable hdmi directly to the plasma, the highest input/output the panny receiver has is component. It makes it more confusing (especially for my wife) because every time you change from cable / hddvd / wii, you have to set the television to the video correct input, and the receiver to the correct audio input.

[Phreaker47]

Onkyo TX-SR605 is $399. You get two HDMI 1.3 inputs and one HDMI out. You'll be able to take full advantage of hidef video and audio from your PS3. You don't need to spend more unless you consider yourself a highly anal audiophile.

[adinar]

are there any decent hdmi receivers for under $250? I've got a panasonic xr55s hooked up to 6 polk speakers. I had to wire the hd-dvd player and cable hdmi directly to the plasma, the highest input/output the panny receiver has is component. It makes it more confusing (especially for my wife) because every time you change from cable / hddvd / wii, you have to set the television to the video correct input, and the receiver to the correct audio input.
Instead of getting a new receiver, look into getting a Logitech Harmony universal remote. 1) You program the remote by hooking it up to your computer, typing in the exact model numbers of your devices; 2) You program the remote by "activities" so it knows what settings each component needs to be on when you select the activity.

In other words, say for example, you had your cable hooked up to video 1, audio hooked up to the TV/SAT mode of your receiver, HD-DVD player hooked up to video 2, audio hooked up to the DVD receiver mode, and Wii hooked up to video 3, audio hooked up to AUX.

When you pressed the "watch TV" activity, it would turn on your TV, receiver & cable box, set the TV to video 1, set the receiver to TV/SAT, and allow you to control your cable box/DVR. Then if you decided to watch a DVD & pressed the watch DVD activity, it would turn off your cable box, turn on your DVD player, set the TV to video 2, and set the receiver to DVD mode, and you could use the remote to control the DVD player.

It takes a little work to set up, but once you get it working, it works really well. The remotes range in price from $80 and up, depending on what model you get, but they all work the same. The more expensive models have color screens, built-in rechargeable batteries, etc, but the premise is the same.

[miktrav]

HDMI carries both audio and video if you get the correct receiver so no need for the optical cable to carry audio. I'd recommend the Sony STR-DG910. It can be found for under $450.00 and it upconverts all inputs to HDMI.


Well, you're only going to get 480p from your Wii, and sound is aweful anyway, so don't worry about that one. Since you have a 720p TV, I'd connect HDMI from the PS3 to the TV, and optical cable from the PS3 to the receiver.
For the receiver, you've got just a entry level system, so just stay entry level with a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box).
You'd be fine with this for $270:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-HT-SR600-5-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-Black-HT-SR600/sem/rpsm/oid/179767/catOid/-13325/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Don't bother spending much until you have something worth pairing it with.

[aclays]

Instead of getting a new receiver, look into getting a Logitech Harmony universal remote. 1) You program the remote by hooking it up to your computer, typing in the exact model numbers of your devices; 2) You program the remote by "activities" so it knows what settings each component needs to be on when you select the activity.

In other words, say for example, you had your cable hooked up to video 1, audio hooked up to the TV/SAT mode of your receiver, HD-DVD player hooked up to video 2, audio hooked up to the DVD receiver mode, and Wii hooked up to video 3, audio hooked up to AUX.

When you pressed the "watch TV" activity, it would turn on your TV, receiver & cable box, set the TV to video 1, set the receiver to TV/SAT, and allow you to control your cable box/DVR. Then if you decided to watch a DVD & pressed the watch DVD activity, it would turn off your cable box, turn on your DVD player, set the TV to video 2, and set the receiver to DVD mode, and you could use the remote to control the DVD player.

It takes a little work to set up, but once you get it working, it works really well. The remotes range in price from $80 and up, depending on what model you get, but they all work the same. The more expensive models have color screens, built-in rechargeable batteries, etc, but the premise is the same.


Oh cool. I'd never done any research on those, but that sounds a lot more convenient than getting a new receiver. I do like mine quite a bit too. Thanks for the suggestion!

[BH0012]

I'd recommend an Onkyo 805. Usually found for $700 new or less for refurbs. Pretty solid receiver with good reviews. I just got a Denon 3808CI and have the Wii, 360, PS3 and A2 hooked up to it and it rocks! Check out the AVS forums - good info there!

[coasterswim]

no cable box...I only have basic cable which I am supposed to be able to get the HD feeds of my local channels through.
The 42PX75U doesn't have a Clear QAM tuner, so you won't be able to pick up any HD from your cable feed. It does have an ATSC tuner, though, so if you had an antenna for it, you could get them OTA (over the air).

[Phreaker47]

Oh yeah, I use a Harmony too... but I still want my HDMI receiver too.

[texas_nightowl]

The 42PX75U doesn't have a Clear QAM tuner, so you won't be able to pick up any HD from your cable feed. It does have an ATSC tuner, though, so if you had an antenna for it, you could get them OTA (over the air).

Actually, it must because the TV was delivered this afternoon and I am getting all my local affiliates HD feeds. All of them have multiple feeds...CBS for example has their regular programming feed, a news feed and a weather feed. PBS has 4 feeds...so I am getting them thru the basic cable.

[coasterswim]

That's good news. I wonder why Panasonic doesn't advertise that fact on its site.

[Jarron27]

Instead of getting a new receiver, look into getting a Logitech Harmony universal remote. 1) You program the remote by hooking it up to your computer, typing in the exact model numbers of your devices; 2) You program the remote by "activities" so it knows what settings each component needs to be on when you select the activity.

In other words, say for example, you had your cable hooked up to video 1, audio hooked up to the TV/SAT mode of your receiver, HD-DVD player hooked up to video 2, audio hooked up to the DVD receiver mode, and Wii hooked up to video 3, audio hooked up to AUX.

When you pressed the "watch TV" activity, it would turn on your TV, receiver & cable box, set the TV to video 1, set the receiver to TV/SAT, and allow you to control your cable box/DVR. Then if you decided to watch a DVD & pressed the watch DVD activity, it would turn off your cable box, turn on your DVD player, set the TV to video 2, and set the receiver to DVD mode, and you could use the remote to control the DVD player.

It takes a little work to set up, but once you get it working, it works really well. The remotes range in price from $80 and up, depending on what model you get, but they all work the same. The more expensive models have color screens, built-in rechargeable batteries, etc, but the premise is the same.


Please be aware that this product does not work with PS3 as it utilizes Bluetooth versus Infra-red. Its a great product for all of your other components but not for the PS3.

[Phreaker47]

This thread is a year old, kthanx.