Comments on: Yamaha takes a 24-hour lead in AV receiver war

The Yamaha RX-V861 AV receiver delivers a host of cutting-edge features for under $1,000--but it's likely to be upstaged by similar products Onkyo is announcing tomorrow.

[LesMoss]

Why upconversion?

Why the emphasis on upconversion? All a receiver should do is convert analog (svideo or component) to digital (HDMI) without upconversion. It should pass digital (HDMI in) to HDMI out with no conversion at all. Any upconversion is can only degrade the picture since the display will also scale the picture.

[jpfalcone]

good point

Your upconversion critique is largely on the money--analog to digital conversion is the more important feature, as is de-interlacing (480i to 480p), since many TVs don't accept 480i signals via HDMI. That said, the ability to upconvert is a worthwhile option if your HDTV produces an optimal picture on a certain resolution (say, 720p or 1080i) but doesn't necessarily offer very good upscaling of its own.

For receivers that do offer upscaling, we've been making sure to test it just as rigorously as we do with upscaling DVD players and HDTVs. And fortunately, the scaling can usually be switched off if you prefer native resolution.

Also, if it wasn't already clear in the post--the upscaling is available only on incoming analog content (composite, S-video, and possibly component)--HDMI inputs are always straight passthrough, without any scaling involved.

[CurtisW-FL]

No HDMI 1.3?

Then at the $1000 price, I'd say no thanks. I can afford $1000 for A/V receiver, but I cannot afford something that is not going to relevant in 2009! Hell... it won't be relevant in 2008!

[egadfly]

Why outdated?

Why would you say: "Hell... it won't be relevant in 2008!"

Buying a first rate receiver is high on my list of components to gather for my new home theater. But I admit the details are confusing, and this question of "what won't be outmoded immediately?" is something I keep asking myself.

Is there a comprehensive document that covers the issues and controversies of choosing a receiver? I have already been reading Shelly's ?Building a Great Home Theater System? (http://www.dvrplayground.com/article/14907/Building-a-Great-Home-Theater-System/) -- but though it covers the overview and basics of many components, it doesn't address the questions on receiver innovations that you are raising.

[avikas]

Need HDMI 1.3 in Yamaha receivers

Yamaha & Denon need to step up like Onkyo and start delivering HDMI 1.3 now... hope we dont have to wait until CES in Jan-2008 before they release something.

[Julio Bro!]

great counter-issue...

You know, I haven't thought about this feature like that...yes, why receivers need to do that? Already Cable Boxes, DVRs, and Players with an HDMI connection do a fine job of upconverting the signal, so there's no need for the receiver to do it.

Analog, on the other hand, instead of the standard upconversion, should be processed...as in converted to 480p and cleaned. Yes, that would be nice; take all the money used to provide upconversion and then invest it in digital signal processing for a cleaner video image from analog.

If there's any savings from that, then the rest should be used for up to date HDMI and high-def audio protocols.

[unclevike]

i have arx-v1900 and i cant seam to get it to stay on a pre set sound or parameter. i will set up a sound memory 1 and it w have the same on 3 and 4 i have went by the book but i just cant get it to work can you help.