AV Receivers

Post by **Snelvuur** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:18 pm

All,

I am new to the AV receiver stuff (the good ones) and i am looking for a receiver (i would think denon is the wise choose because of the ethernet control)

Which can do:

3 zones, different inputs.. basicly i want to hook the tv of the bedroom/livingroom/kitchen .. then hook up every device that can generate sound/video to it.

But here comes the catch, i want to be able to watch something or perhaps "both" (if possible) on each t.v.

To take a example, i see http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3494.asp

which says multizone.. if i look at the picture of the back i see loads of connections.. but i assume best way to hook up other t.v's (from different locations) is with component cables, which in my eyes is yellow/red/white..

Can this receiver do this, or do i need another model? Is component the way to go, or something else is better?

What are your thoughts?

p.s. a new line will come out.. http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/11/deno ... nd-headph/ so if you want to go for a denon, wait 1 month more..

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Rene** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:11 am

You mean component and not composite.

Rene.

Post by **Snelvuur** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:26 am

Thats what is says no?

)

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Bjochems** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:11 am

I recently bought the Arcam AVR600 which has 3 zones.

Zone 1 is the main zone and is used in the livingroom.
Zone 2 can be used in another room and you can view and / or listen to another source then Zone 1.
Zone 3 has only audio and is a copy of Zone 2 but you can adjust the volume to a different volume then you have set in Zone 2.

This receiver also has an ethernet connection which enables you to stream your music through your network. This is done by a UPNP media renderer. In my network I use a Qnap 509 NAS to stream these audio files (flac + wav). I can control the playlist with the default Arcam remote or with my iPhone (PlugPlayer).

For more information: http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,fmj,AV- ... AVR600.htm

Post by **Snelvuur** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am

so what i want is possible, but then i need one which has 3 zones with video.. if i check that i would be ok then?

the Arcam is nice, but the denon has also full control via ethernet to be able to say "switch zone 2 to dvd" or "change volume" etc etc, everything can be done via ethernet to control it (so you can automate it really well in homeseer)

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Bjochems** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:29 am

Yes, but I don't know if there are AV receivers with 3 zones for different audio AND video sources.

You can control the Arcam via RS232. All commands are available. You can also send commands to request status information. For example, tell me the current volume, which surround mode is selected etc. etc. Based on that info you can do other things.

One of the main reasons for me to choose for Arcam is that this is a really high performance receiver with really stunning audio and video quality. But if you're not a real high-end audio freak then a Denon or Marantz (they also have multizone receivers) will probably also do the job (and will save you some money)

Post by **Snelvuur** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:35 pm

4000 euro's ... nice

i like sound/video and all, but the difference between a arcam and a denon, i dont think i will notice.. or let me put it in other words, if i have a denon i will think it sounds just fine

i still have a really old yamaha receiver with jbl boxes which still sounds nice to me (and can still vibrate a glass of my table) while retaining quality..

so hmm 3 zones..

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails ... oducts.asp

dont think any of those have that.. i see 3 - 2 zones, thats same right, 2 video 1 audio..

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Bjochems** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:41 pm

The Denons should work perfect I think. But normally, I think only audio is enough for multi room purposes.

In that case I would recommend anyone a Sonos system.
I've seen it many times and it really works great.

http://www.sonos.com

Post by **Snelvuur** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:14 am

sonos is nice, but a squeezebox is cheaper. integration with slimserver is also really easy and has a open client protocol..

normally only audio is enough yes, but would it not be nice to watch a movie in the living room.. then put it on pause, walk upstairs to the bedroom and "move" the output to the bedroom t.v.? and then ofcourse continue..

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Ruud** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:28 am

To day by Ibood

Philips Streamium WAK3300 Wireless Music.
Nice gadget to for multiroom proposals

Gr Ruud

Post by **Dickr43** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:25 am

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by snelvuur
 sonos is nice, but a squeezebox is cheaper. integration with slimserver is also really easy and has a open client protocol..

normally only audio is enough yes, but would it not be nice to watch a movie in the living room.. then put it on pause, walk upstairs to the bedroom and "move" the output to the bedroom t.v.? and then ofcourse continue..

// Erik (binkey.nl)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, that would be great. But what about the video signal. How can it be transported over such a length? Normally the output is HDMI, is that possible over more than say 5 meters?

Post by **Bjochems** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:46 am

Max length without repeaters goes up to 22 meters. For example the Monster HDMI 400.

http://www.kabeltje.com/monster-hdmi-10 ... p-895.html
But the shorter, the better.

Or you can choose to go wireless:
http://www.intellihome.be/nederlands/mu ... eo800_hdmi

Post by **Dickr43** » Wed May 13, 2009 10:00 am

Yes, but investing in an expensive Denon means that we want quality, don't we? I cannot believe that wireless or long cables will deliver that. Manufacturers are doing their best to deliver the best possible picture using the latest HDMI technology, long cables will loose much of that quality in my opinion.

Post by **Esteban** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:16 pm

For HDMI, in theory, it shouldn't matter as it's digital. It either reaches the other end or it doesn't. Have a look at avsforum.com for extended discussions on HDMI. I seem to remember there being some problems reported with cables above +/- 10m or 20m.

IMHO Monster cables are utter BS... even more for cables that don't have to transport an analog signal... You can find much cheaper alternatives that will get the job done if you just take the time to look for them. HDMI extenders for example.

Ciao,
Esteban

Post by **Snelvuur** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:49 pm

most tv's have component input, i would use that to connect all the tv's to the denon (if thats possible) and since its component, i dont think it will give that much issues with longer distances. (i could be wrong, but i dont believe it will screw up the image that much) besides the living room tv is bigger then the ones in the other rooms (meaning, you wont see it that quick if the signal is a bit bad)

// Erik (binkey.nl)