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Does anyone actually make a processor that works

Hello all,

I'm building a new dedicated theater/two channel room and have been researching projectors, screens, amps, pre/pro, processors etc... I have a question for you knowledgeable theater guys.... does anyone produce a processor (video/audio) that actually works! It seems that ever manufacture is having problems these days with the HDMI? 1.3? or whatever. I’ve read so many threads where frustrated folks have to constantly do downloads/upgrades, popping noises, processors locking up... all kinds of problems. It seems like every manufacture is having problems these days getting stuff to work. I've been a two channel guy for years, but I don’t know much about HT. I've been really doing my research on HT, though, and it just seems like everyone is having problems. Does anyone know of a manufacture who has got it figured out and their stuff is working? PS: One of my main criteria for my HT is that it sounds good. So I’m looking for equipment that works....and sounds damn good.

Thank you for all responses.
128x128keithmundy
hevac1
812 posts
 
I think it is not any one manufactuers problem. HDMI and other digital formats are being upgraded too fast to keep up with. Customers demand the lastest and greatest formats. So they can say mine is better than yours. To keep up they need to do software upgrades. These SW upgrades are not always perfect and people don't always install them correctly either. With most HiEnd systems in the past you either had to return the HT AVR or seperate for hardware upgrades or purchase new with few exeptions. That pissed people off worse than SW upgrades do now. If you have the money to buy a new AVR every month or so then you can stay current with minimum problems, people for the most part hate this avenue. Again everything now needs SW upgrading regularly to stay current. Its just a fact of life, nothing is perfect. If someone says thier system does not need upgrades then they will not be current shortly.
lodi
15 posts
 
See the discussion 'Need advice on pre/pro - Rotel1098/Outlaw990/??' about halfway down the list of Home Theater discussions. I provided links to several reviews for the Integra 9.8/Onkyo PR-SC885 pre/pro (same unit). I just ordered it this weekend and have not yet received it, but in all of my research I have found one user who was not happy with the unit. Look into it.

Dave
keithmundy's avatar
keithmundy OP
106 posts
 
Ok, thanks to all. It seems like we should be getting to the end of the amount of resolution one can get (as far as the video goes). I don't know, hopeful the upgrade thing will slow down. Of course, I'm sure folks thought we were at the outer limits of resolution when we were at 780 or whatever.

HDMI is obviously tricky and we probably need to get some sort of standard so that we do not have "handshake"/compatibility issues. Hell, I don't know! I just want to buy some stuff that will work and forget about it!
marks2512
13 posts
 
I have an Anthem AVM 50 that has hdmi but does not decode the new codecs. I use a Sony BDP S550 which decodes the lossless audio internally. It goes out via hdmi cable and sounds awesome!
The only problem is the hand shake with the hd cable box. You just have to start the the first time in the right order.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
HDMI 1.3 problems seem to be either a) brand specific or b) backwards compatability. That is, if all components connected via HDMI 1.3 are the same brand, problems should be rare. Evidently there's enough wiggle room in 1.3 implementation that conflicts between brands can arise.

Also, outputting a signal via 1.3 into a 1.1 display is iffy. My Integra htr's 1.3 output will not work with my Sony 1.1 projector. However, I ran HDMI direct from the Sony blue-ray's 1.3 output into the projector's 1.1 input without a hitch.

Good Luck

Marty
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