My rec room has speakers in the ceiling and I want to hook them up to listen to football games and such things through the 5.1 system.
However 95% of my TV viewing will be normal tv viewing (through the TV built in speakers). I don't want to have to turn the avr 5.1 system on to listen to CNBC or FOX BUSINESS
If I connect my cable box HDMI out to the AVR then HDMI from the avr to the TV can I leave the power off on the AVR and still have video and audio to my tv? Or am I going to have to connect cable box HDMI out to TV then separate optical audio out from cable box to AVR in case I want to ever turn on the 5.1 system?
[This message has been edited by RossT (edited 09-07-2014).]
Originally posted by RossT: Or am I going to have to connect cable box HDMI out to TV then separate optical audio out from cable box to AVR in case I want to ever turn on the 5.1 system?
You should also be able to control the audio output from the tv itself. Just go to the tvs audio menu and select tv as your speaker source. When you want to used your system, turn it on and on the tv audio menu select that output. I think im understanding your question right. I have an audio system on the tv in the motorhome that I work that way. For normal, i just use the tvs stereo speakers. When environment is loud, I turn on the sound system and switch the audio output on the tv to it...then its 5 times louder.
H/K typically has HDMI passthrough when it's off, so sound can be handled by the TV. You will hook up by HDMI if you have a bunch of other "audio only" sources, so you're used to the remote control regimen.
OTOH, if you use TosLink, then the TV is the controller of where the sound comes from (The AVR will stay on "Video 1"). Likely, you don't have a turntable, a HDD full of tunes, etc. Your BD player, Roku/Apple TV, XBox, etc are all plugged into the TV (unless your TV only has two HDMI ins).
Originally posted by Patrick's Dad: H/K typically has HDMI passthrough when it's off, so sound can be handled by the TV.
That's good to know. Do you know if that feature is specific to H/K receivers, or is it an industry standard? I ask, because I may be in the market for a new receiver soon. My current one is almost 15 years old.
Serious question does anyone even need a true receiver these days?
The ONLY thing i use mine for is the internal amp. I haven't had a antenna hooked up to it in at least 20 years if not longer.. All my audio ( and video ) comes from my dedicated android box now.. ( TV, mp3, etc )
I could easily ditch it for a EQ ( with input selectors in case i wanted to plug in a DVD player or something, tho not listened to an actual music cd for 10 years ) and an amp.
I sure do. But that's because my audio requirements are very different from yours.
I bet in 2014 i'm pretty typical tho. I think the days of average people listening to the radio are fading as people want and expect their stuff 'on demand'. ( talk radio may be the last holdout ). I know its happening for video... Who really sits down and watches an evening of tv, that isn't recorded from 'the other day' or on demand like hulu, etc... ( having it on for noise doenst count )
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 09-09-2014).]
That's good to know. Do you know if that feature is specific to H/K receivers, or is it an industry standard? I ask, because I may be in the market for a new receiver soon. My current one is almost 15 years old.
Fairly certain that most AVRs today have HDMI pass through when the receiver is off. I believe Yamaha does (which I carry) and I can look into Denon (which I just picked up, mostly for their Heos multi room system).
Serious question does anyone even need a true receiver these days?
The ONLY thing i use mine for is the internal amp. I haven't had a antenna hooked up to it in at least 20 years if not longer.. All my audio ( and video ) comes from my dedicated android box now.. ( TV, mp3, etc )
I could easily ditch it for a EQ ( with input selectors in case i wanted to plug in a DVD player or something, tho not listened to an actual music cd for 10 years ) and an amp.
Many receivers are far from radiocentric. Most of the RXV and Aventage lines of Yamaha receivers have Pandora and other streaming options built in, so that means that their competition does, as well. I tend to prefer Yamaha, as they are a company that makes musical instruments, but I have heard pretty good systems centered on H/K, Pioneer Elite and others. Then there's the whole multi-channel aspect of things...
Of course, if you are a stereo person, like me, then things can be much more specific and esoteric. It would not be unusual to have a gain amplifier, two mono power amps (one for each speaker, a phono preamp and a turntable as your system. Mine is a BD player, a turntable and phono preamp, a Roku and a TV (antenna) all hooked up to my dual-mono integrated amp, with my speakers bi-wired from there.
As mentioned above, streaming media, internet radio, and USB input (for iPods, thumb drives, etc) are common features of receivers nowadays. Those features are also why I'm considering a new receiver.
I use a surround receiver because I enjoy watching movies on a huge screen so I went the projector route... 150" of bitchin' home theatre real estate. Yeah.
I have a similar Harmon Kardon piece and used Yamaha Natural Sound speakers. Hooked it into the computer for music. WOW. Amazing. I think you'll like that one .
Just got done playing around with my new AVR. Apparently my HK is an older system (2012) and does not have the pass thru hdmi built in. But that's ok. I hooked my cable box via optical audio to the AVR. When I want to listen to the 5.1 system I just turn the HK on leave it off to listen to the tv the normal way. I did hook up my Panasonic bluray thru the HK. So anytime I watch a dvd I have to turn the AVR on and listen thru the 5.1 speakers but that's ok with me. I didn't pay much for this and I am fine with how it sounds, Thanks for all the advice!
Of course, if you are a stereo person, like me, then things can be much more specific and esoteric. It would not be unusual to have a gain amplifier, two mono power amps (one for each speaker, a phono preamp and a turntable as your system. Mine is a BD player, a turntable and phono preamp, a Roku and a TV (antenna) all hooked up to my dual-mono integrated amp, with my speakers bi-wired from there.
That is how i used to be, 'components' to an extreme. So to me a 'receiver' is just that, a receiver..
Over time tho, it became less and less important. I dont even have a turntable now, or an EQ, or separate amps... Even my dedicated CD player is out in the garage collecting dust....Reel tape.. long gone .... I'm one of those can still tell the difference between analog and digital and prefer analog, but it just wasn't worth the overhead anymore.. Yes, I caved due to convenience, and 'its good enough'.
but i still dont listen to broadcast radio, back to my original point
)
