Should I buy an AV reciever?

[admin_exported]

I've been reading a lot in the TV forum about standard def tv looking a bit pants on a high def tv. Now, I do not need the audio as I'm deaf as a post - you could stand me next to a very loud thing and I wouldn't bat an eyelid! What I'm more interested in is the upscaling capabilites of the reciever. Now before you all start telling me to "just get a sky hd box" I will say that for the content available, to me anyway, I think they cost for too much. So, If I looked at AV recievers for up scaling video where should I look and what should I get? (PS cheaper the better) Or am I barking up the wrong tree (or just plain barking)

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Duncan,

personally I would go for an upscaling DVD recorder with built in hard drive. Much less expensive than a reasonable upscaling receiver plus you get all the benefits of being able to record freeview etc. I have just bought a Sony RDR-HXD870 plus IXOS hdmi lead for £269 from my local "Practical Hi-Fi" and am very happy with it. 160Gb of HD memory, plus the ability to archive to DVD should I wish. I suspect that an upscaling receiver that gave similar picture quality would cost considerably more.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree, also Sony do one with a 250 hard drive, much better if you want to download your cd's onto it. Very good sound off it, don't use my cd player any more.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies chaps! Very grateful

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Sorry to put a spanner in the works here but I think you will struggle to upscale SD (Sky) using scart connection (which is what you are forced to use until you go Sky HD). I may be wrong but I can't see you being able to enhance your picture without using component or even hdmi.

 

[Anonymous]

Ahh I see, I got my connectors crossed ><

 

[professorhat]

Does the Sky box not have s-video or composite outputs? These could be plugged into the Onkyo 606 or 875 for upscaling. Of course, I don't know if the quality of the initial connection is going to mean a worse picture than using RGB Scart...

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="professorhat"]Does the Sky box not have s-video or composite outputs? These could be plugged into the Onkyo 606 or 875 for upscaling. Of course, I don't know if the quality of the initial connection is going to mean a worse picture than using RGB Scart...[/quote]

Will be connected by a high quality Ixos Scart (I forget the model( I'm not too bothered as reall, I don't watch excessive amounts of TV! I was just thinking out loud - with luck it should be ok as is.