speakers sets and av reciever advice

[timwileman]

Hi All, I have a TH37PX80 and a HDDVD player (Tosh EP30) next i am looking at getting either the Onkyo 505 or 605, my first question is would they both be able to take the output from the EP30, as i read somewhere that it wont output the HD formats but decodes them and sends them out? Also am thinking about the wharfedale diamond 9HCP spkr pack, would this suit the 505/605? other options include Q Accoustics 1010 pack, MS premier and MS Prem plus...

 

[Anonymous]

First, don't forget there is a 606 coming out with an extra HDMI socket. When it does get here, the 605's will probably drop as retailer try to get rid of the stock. Don't bother with the 505 if you can afford to buy the 605... the 505 doesn't support HD audio. With regards to connectivity, the Onkyos will upscale SD formats, but it shouldn't mess with the HD ones. You could always connect the EP30 direct to the telly and just sort the audio out through the amp.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="tom83cat"] With regards to connectivity, the Onkyos will upscale SD formats, but it shouldn't mess with the HD ones.[/quote]

The 505 and 605 don't upscale, but the 605 will upconvert signals input through composite, S-video and component so they can be output through a single HDMI or component video connection to your TV.

 

[timwileman]

as i understand it they can both pass through 1080p signals so i am not worried about the picture going through the reciever if its a 505/605 or 606....i will just let the EP30 and the TV sort out the picture.

What i am worried about is the audio out on the EP30 is limited i believe (from a what Hifi S&V review) to PCA (not sure if i have the terminology correct) through the HDMI and wont output the full HD audio formats........am i right or worried over nowt??

also would the onkyos mentioned above fit well with the speaker packs i suggested or are there alternatives..........

 

[FuzzyinLondon]

Tim, you're right. You don't need to worry about the picture. The Panasonic plasmas have decent scalers built-in so the I'm sure the PX80 will do a great job with a 1080p signal. Like you say, all those receivers will pass the picture signal through untouched. The EP30 is limited to PCM audio through HDMI but this is not a big deal. Very few HD DVDs have DTS-HD Master Audio (it's becoming more popular on Blu-Ray) and most carry either Dolby Digital Plus or DD TrueHD, both of which the EP30 can decode and pass through to the amp as PCM over HDMI. The point is, as long as you have an amp that can accept PCM through HDMI you WILL get HD audio. The Onkyo 605 can do this, the 505 can't. I would definitely go along with what tom83cat says about waiting for the 606. If you can afford it go for the 606 when it's released, otherwise pick the 605 at a reduced price. I can heartily recommend the Q Acoustic package to go with the Onkyo. Apparently the newer 1010i package is even better and worth getting if you can find it for a good price. Can't speak for any of the others.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

The 606 is not out until the end of the month and the 605 is already available at £320 delivered!

 

[timwileman]

i assume from this link that the new 506 wont be able to provide HD audio just like the 505?

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/onkyo_txsr506.shtml

looks like a 605 or a 606!

thanks for the feedback on the Q acoustic package, anyone know anything about the wharfedale diamond 9 hcp?

 

[professorhat]

Onkyo's website for the 506 (here) states HDMI connections need an audio connection as well so this shows it won't accept the HDMI audio information.