Kryptonian W,
Thank you for replying. The more I read into A/V receivers, the less my understanding. For a total novice who has been spoiled with just plugging everything into my TV, can you tell me the advantages or disadvantages of just getting an "audio" receiver vs an A/V receiver in layman terms?
Also, if for instance, the receiver has 5 HDMI ports and I plug in my TV, my Google Revue, Xbox 360, Blu-Ray player, and my HD Camcorder, will I need any other cables other than HDMI? Does that solve everything? If so, whats the point of all those RCA jacks?
Also, does the A/V receiver automatically detect the sound signal coming from the source or do I have to manually program it to play for instance DTS, or Dolby Pro Logic, etc.. ?
1st Paragraph: The advantages of having an A/V receiver are 2 (there are more, but these are the main ones IMO)....
1) Cost...The "audio" only amplifiers are typically WAY more expensive and a lot of times you will need both an amplifier (that powers your speakers) and a pre-amplifier (this decodes all of the different sound modes). To be honest, you would only go this route if you were an audiophile and have the ultra-high end speakers and/or wealthy.
2) Convenience...An A/V receiver will simplify everything in the fact that you input everything into the receiver, but only have one output to your TV. Simply put, you won't have to sit there and change inputs on your TV every time you want to switch between sources. All you will have to do is change the input on your receiver. Just trust me, it makes things SO MUCH easier. The nice thing is, you can go into the menu of the Receiver and rename the inputs. For example, I changed the "Blu Ray" input, on my receiver, to PS3. That way, each time I hit the "Blu Ray" button on the receiver's remote, the display, on the receiver, will read "PS3". Each HDMI input on the receiver will be labeled. Then you can go into the settings and set each corresponding input label to whatever you want to name it. Now of course, you can't change what your remote says, but you will memorize which input you will need to press in time.
2nd Paragraph....Yes, HDMI carries both Video and Audio signals. and that is literally all you will need. Well, you will need an ethernet cable to run to your router, for internet connection. They have all of the connections available for people that have not upgraded their equipment. The manufacturer wants it's product to adhere to all consumer's needs. All you will need, as far as cables, are HDMI, Ethernet, and of course Speaker Wire.
3rd Paragraph....Yes, the A/V Receiver will automatically decode and output whatever signal it's being fed. You don't have to do a darn thing. Now if you have older DVDs, and when I say older, I mean old as in 5 years and older, then you might have to go into the menu of the DVD and tell it to output DTS or Dolby Digital. The default audio option, back then, was 2 channel stereo. If you don't have older DVDs, then you won't have to worry about that.
I hope this all makes sense and answers your questions.
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