On screen volume display? (Denon vs something else?)

rexb · 10-26-2007, 05:18 PM

I am putting together my first-ever home theater system. It is not too late to return any of the components.

Optoma 720p projector - placed at 13 feet from the screen (so, far, just a white wall, and we are very happy with that), it is giving a 106" image (diagonal) that looks great (480) to spectacular (HD cable or "standard" DVD).

Denon AVR-1508 running HDMI in from both cable box and from DVD and HDMI out to projector (this eliminated the nightmare of getting the signal to the location in my ceiling where the projector is mounted, as my electrician was able to get a pair of rigid 3/4 inch conduits to a box adjacent to the power outlet for the projector, also in the ceiling).

Sony 5.1 speaker system, which includes powered subwoofer - perhaps somewhat lower end for some HT enthusiasts; I might still return these for Onkyo SKS HT-540 7.1 speaker system, as it appears that they are comparabvle quality, with the two additional surround sound speakers and essentially the same price.

Sony up-convert DVD - fairly generic $100 DVD these days.

I am wondering if the Denon is not really what I want for several reasons:

a) no video-upconvert in my AVR. I notice that DVR'd programs (my cable company is my DVR), even if recorded from HBOHD still playback in 480 - - wouldn't video upconvert improve this?

b) audio not carried via my HDMI - - that is, I still have to connect any audio (from a video source) via standard "red-and-white" RCA style cable. I think this relates to my third problem...

c) no capability, as far as I can tell... to have a visual display of up-volume or down volume with use of my AVR's remote (and volume control via the remote of the cable box or the DVD seems to do nothing).

So, my question is this:

If I am willing to spend $100-200 more, what options do I have which could solve one or both of these problems for me?

For example, Denon 785S - - says it has "On Screen Display" - - but does that simply mean the front panel of the receiver?

If this is the case (or even if the 785S _does_ offer the on screen volume display that I want...) what other models will do it, and how do I confirm that from the specs typically cited on a web page?

And would I be better off with an AVR that offers video upconvert for programs recorded to my cable company's DVR?

For example Yamaha RX-V661BL?

Or any of several Onkyo AVRs?

Thanks in advance for all replies to this very appreciative newbie...

Rex B
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

drock912001 · 10-27-2007, 07:30 PM

If it does upconvert your projector will convert it to it's native resolution (720p).So if you get a higher end receiver your still stuck at square one.Maybe I'm wrong and hopefully I am but to utilize HDMI audio out you will need a HD DVD or bluray player since those are the only formats that utilize the feature.No broadcast programs use the loseless audio codecs.

rexb · 11-27-2007, 01:06 PM

Some follow-up to this earlier question.

We did take the Denon back and settled on the Onkyo HT-SP908 (which is a package with the 7 speakers, powered subwoofer, DVD and iPod dock). We thought that it would offer onscreen (display of) volume control because it says it has "onscreen display" - - which we now know that it means that all menus you use in setting up are displayed onscreen. I have since come to the conclusion that perhaps no projector (or at least none that offer "true HD" - - i.e. 1280 x 720 or better) and priced under $1000 (maybe not even under $2000) offers this.

And yet, I cannot help but scratch my head - - it offers onscreen (display of) volume for the iPod - - that "video info" is not coming from the iPod, right? I am guessing that it is possible because of something that Onkyo calls its "RI" system (remote interfacing), and that does not exist as an output from my cable box.

Maybe if my cable TV signal were coming from an Onkyo tuner with this feature?

Oh well, I am learning to live without it.

10-26-2007, 05:18 PM	#1
rexb How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 17	On screen volume display? (Denon vs something else?) I am putting together my first-ever home theater system. It is not too late to return any of the components. Optoma 720p projector - placed at 13 feet from the screen (so, far, just a white wall, and we are very happy with that), it is giving a 106" image (diagonal) that looks great (480) to spectacular (HD cable or "standard" DVD). Denon AVR-1508 running HDMI in from both cable box and from DVD and HDMI out to projector (this eliminated the nightmare of getting the signal to the location in my ceiling where the projector is mounted, as my electrician was able to get a pair of rigid 3/4 inch conduits to a box adjacent to the power outlet for the projector, also in the ceiling). Sony 5.1 speaker system, which includes powered subwoofer - perhaps somewhat lower end for some HT enthusiasts; I might still return these for Onkyo SKS HT-540 7.1 speaker system, as it appears that they are comparabvle quality, with the two additional surround sound speakers and essentially the same price. Sony up-convert DVD - fairly generic $100 DVD these days. I am wondering if the Denon is not really what I want for several reasons: a) no video-upconvert in my AVR. I notice that DVR'd programs (my cable company is my DVR), even if recorded from HBOHD still playback in 480 - - wouldn't video upconvert improve this? b) audio not carried via my HDMI - - that is, I still have to connect any audio (from a video source) via standard "red-and-white" RCA style cable. I think this relates to my third problem... c) no capability, as far as I can tell... to have a visual display of up-volume or down volume with use of my AVR's remote (and volume control via the remote of the cable box or the DVD seems to do nothing). So, my question is this: If I am willing to spend $100-200 more, what options do I have which could solve one or both of these problems for me? For example, Denon 785S - - says it has "On Screen Display" - - but does that simply mean the front panel of the receiver? If this is the case (or even if the 785S _does_ offer the on screen volume display that I want...) what other models will do it, and how do I confirm that from the specs typically cited on a web page? And would I be better off with an AVR that offers video upconvert for programs recorded to my cable company's DVR? For example Yamaha RX-V661BL? Or any of several Onkyo AVRs? Thanks in advance for all replies to this very appreciative newbie... Rex B Floyds Knobs, Indiana

10-27-2007, 07:30 PM	#2
drock912001 NFL in HD nothing else Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 1,617	If it does upconvert your projector will convert it to it's native resolution (720p).So if you get a higher end receiver your still stuck at square one.Maybe I'm wrong and hopefully I am but to utilize HDMI audio out you will need a HD DVD or bluray player since those are the only formats that utilize the feature.No broadcast programs use the loseless audio codecs. __________________ Vizio VL370M Toshiba HD-XA1 Direct HR23-700 Sherwood RD-7503 PS3 160gb HD DVD 58? Mover's hustled most of my collection last year! Blu-ray 8

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11-27-2007, 01:06 PM	#3
rexb How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 17	Some follow-up to this earlier question. We did take the Denon back and settled on the Onkyo HT-SP908 (which is a package with the 7 speakers, powered subwoofer, DVD and iPod dock). We thought that it would offer onscreen (display of) volume control because it says it has "onscreen display" - - which we now know that it means that all menus you use in setting up are displayed onscreen. I have since come to the conclusion that perhaps no projector (or at least none that offer "true HD" - - i.e. 1280 x 720 or better) and priced under $1000 (maybe not even under $2000) offers this. And yet, I cannot help but scratch my head - - it offers onscreen (display of) volume for the iPod - - that "video info" is not coming from the iPod, right? I am guessing that it is possible because of something that Onkyo calls its "RI" system (remote interfacing), and that does not exist as an output from my cable box. Maybe if my cable TV signal were coming from an Onkyo tuner with this feature? Oh well, I am learning to live without it.