Home audio & video: Marantz Receiver With Only Component Outputs: Outdated?
Marantz Receiver With Only Component Outputs: Outdated?
by EXCON - 2/8/07 5:19 AMI bought a high end Marantz about 4 years ago. It was a $1500.00 receiver. Unfortunately it has only 2 component inputs and no HDMI. Should I cut my losses and sell it while I can? Problem is I would be stuck buying a far lower quality receiver since I could never afford another receiver as good as Marantz. And trust me there IS a difference.
Yes sort of, depends on the opther gear you have.
by jcrobso - 2/8/07 7:47 AM In reply to: Marantz Receiver With Only Component Outputs: Outdated? by EXCONDo you have HD-DVD/B-Ray player? Dose anything else have HDMI?
If you get a HD-DVD/B-Ray player then you will need HDMI, until then relax and enjoy your Marantz. John
TV
by EXCON - 2/8/07 10:14 AM In reply to: Yes sort of, depends on the opther gear you have. by jcrobsoActually I currently run a 70 inch Sony but it has DVI. I am upgrading the set to a new Sony WITH HDMI. I have the new HD TIVO and an XBOX 360 on the system but thats it. I never play DVD's. With these components am I simply worried over nothing? The Marantz is an awesome receiver but I worry that I will regret keeping it since everything is going HDMI and the Marantz is .
THANKS FOR THE HELP!
I too have some fine older equipment.
by NM_Bill - 2/8/07 1:16 PM In reply to: TV by EXCONWe might be helped with a promising new wireless upgrade path. Time will tell. As a technophobe rather than technophile, I don't jump for just any wireless alternative. Isn't our world sort of overloaded with electromagnetic radiation fields as it is? And we don't really know if that is truly benign.
But having a wireless way to keep on with HDMI upgrades surely seems attractive. I am of an age that my overkill Denon 4806 receiver I bought at quick closeout when the present, newer "CI" suffix model arrived will be my final receiver considering the price for the quality level of it relative to my everyday finances.
The unit has more connection possibilities than any one user could ever have need for, but the HDMI is just version 1.1. Here's hoping new wireless HDMI will provide the path for us.
Video directly to the TV?
by ..ben - 2/8/07 2:51 PM In reply to: TV by EXCONThe new Sony TVs usually have 2 HDMI inputs, 2 component inputs, and probably a DVI as well. The Xbox doesn't even have HDMI, so you don't even have to worry about that; and you can get an inexpensive VGA-DVI adapter if you want to go digital. Instead of using the receiver for video switching, could you run the HDMI to the TV directly, and run coax or optical audio out to the receiver? It's not quite as convenient, you'll have to push a few extra buttons when switching sources. On the other hand, you'll actually be able to use the PIP function on the TV (something I value greatly).
And if you don't want to push a few extra buttons, for $90, you could get a Logitech Harmony 550; for $140 you could get a H/K TC 30 which is even nicer. But the remote with the marantz ought to be programmable, no?
The KDS-R70XBR2 has 3 HDMI inputs, 2 component, and a VGA (no DVI). Even if you got a BD player, you'd still have enough video inputs, and if you ran analog 7.1 patch cords to the receiver, you'd REALLY have everything covered. Except for HDMI 1.3, as the KDS-R70XBR2 is only 1.1. Even if you didn't use the 7.1 inputs, DTS HD is fully backwards-compatible with your (and everyone else's) receiver; it would send the 5.1 "core" signal to the receiver, but at a yummy 1.5Mbps (twice the bit rate of "regular" DTS), so it'll sound even better, even on "old" equipment. Dolby TrueHD, according to the unhelpful site, says it's "compatible" with current receiver decoders, but doesn't elaborate.
Enjoy your sound the way it is with your groovy Marantz and let the TV do "TV stuff". I don't think you have to worry about upgrading any time soon. Though if you can wait until the summer, TVs with HDMI 1.3 will start rolling out.
Best,
Ben
Don't worry be happy
by dinox64 - 2/8/07 6:31 PM In reply to: Video directly to the TV? by ..benI'm kinda like you but with a Denon.All I have is component and an EDTV but everybody thinks they're watching HD even those I know with HDTV are amazed how nice it looks.So for now until I move i'm completely satisfied.
EXCON KEEP THAT BEAUTIFUL AMP WHY?
by stewart norrie - 2/8/07 9:49 PM In reply to: Marantz Receiver With Only Component Outputs: Outdated? by EXCONPlease run all your vidio straight to the t.v. no need for amp vidio switching then all you really need are 2 or more optical audio inputs on Amp There can sometimes be problems when running h.d.m.i. thru amp stew
Run Video Direct?
by EXCON - 2/9/07 5:09 AM In reply to: EXCON KEEP THAT BEAUTIFUL AMP WHY? by stewart norrieI am somewhat confused. Heres the deal: I manage my components with a PRONTO PRO and everythings macro'ed. I thought the idea was to run everything thru the receiver in order to properly configure the macros and make the use of the system easier. If I run my video direct to the TV then do I lose the ability to push one button and switch to XBOX or to HDTIVO? I am just now learning to hook these systems up myself, I used to have enough cash to pay people but now I gotta try doing things on my own.
THANKS ALL!!
Should be okay.
by ..ben - 2/9/07 6:15 AM In reply to: Run Video Direct? by EXCONThe Pronto should allow you to keep the one-touch operation, via a macro, even if you've got the most circuitous of signal paths. It will require re-"designing" the macros, but I have faith in you. 
It can be a little scary "programming" the remote, but you certainly don't have to be an installer to do it. Besides, if you get overwhelmed, you can always call tech support and ask them to just walk you through one macro and then you can do the others yourself. If it's anything like the aforementioned Logitech/HK remotes, setting up the remote will include entering in model numbers (so the remote can retrieve the IR codes from the database), and answering yes/no or multiple choice questions e.g. Which input on the TV is used for the Activity "Watch a Movie"? Which input on the A/V Receiver is used for the Activity "Watch a Movie"?
But the main thing is to get your components connected *and working!* first, because you'll need to know which cables are going where in order to program the remote correctly. My dad was never comfortable setting up electronics; he'd always ask me to set things up for him. But when I went to college, he didn't have me around to do it. But he got it set up! And if HE can do it, you can do it.
Don't worry boss. We'll help you! It sounds like you've got great toys, and I don't see why you should have to part with them.
Best,
Ben
THANKS!
by EXCON - 2/9/07 7:14 AM In reply to: Should be okay. by ..benThanks everyone for all the help! I now will post a PRONTO PRO PROGRAMMING thread to see if its actually possible for me to do this part as well!!
THANKS CONVICTS!
RE: selling older receiver with no HDMI
by George Wedding - 2/9/07 1:15 PM In reply to: THANKS! by EXCONIf you can wait to upgrade that receiver, I would wait a few months for the 20007-2008 models to start appearing. You want the upcoming HDMI v1.3 devices, and these are coming late this year and early next year.
MR EXCON, OR YOU COULD JUST USE 4 REMOTE CONTROLS
by stewart norrie - 2/9/07 2:24 PM In reply to: Marantz Receiver With Only Component Outputs: Outdated? by EXCONLike me I love it this way because no one can use my t.v. wqhen Iam not at home ha ha, One more thing Dont get sucked into this 1080P and 1.3. thing. There is no way in this world that 1.3 or 1080P is going to look any better than the standard 1080I I know this because I have the new Sony blue ray player which is 1080P thru my Toshiba which claimes 1080P and I cannot see any difference at all steweeee
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