Onkyo TX-SR575 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)
See it at Amazon.com for $208.00Average Customer Rating
(4.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
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(5 out of 5)Onkyo TX-SR575
Before purchasing this receiver, I did my research, trying to find a receiver with HDMI capability, 7.1 sound, 80 - 100 watts (this one outputs 80 watts per channel which is plenty for me) for under $500. This is the best choice on the market! Here's some information you may find useful.
This receiver has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output (i.e. to an HD TV). I have an "upconvert" DVD player (changes 480i format DVD to 1080i video resolution) attached via HDMI (video), and a digital optical (audio) cable. I have a second DVD attached as the "VCR", using composite video cables and a digital coax (audio). I use the second DVD player to play CDs. Both can be programmed in the setup of the receiver, so that the SR575 knows which cables are used for which inputs. The sound is very clear. Make sure you use the microphone to auto calibrate the speakers after your system is in place. It takes 10-15 minutes and is automatic, just start the setup and it takes care of itself. The sound will be much better than sound out-of-the box, since it calibrates for your room acoustics. Once the setup is completed, you will like the results...there are several "listening modes" that you can try out to see what sounds best in your room.
Here are a few caveats that I learned about after I purchased the receiver....
1. If you have a phonograph (turntable), then you need a pre-amp (can be purchased from Amazon for about $40). Connect the left/right RCA cables from the turntable to the pre-amp, then from the pre-amp into one of the inputs in the receiver (I use the "tape" input for my turntable since I do not have a tape deck attached - which means I program the setup of the "tape" player in the receiver for my turntable - it's simple to do).
2. Do not be confused by the Onkyo "upconvert" capability - the receiver does NOT upconvert the video from a DVD from 480i resolution to 1080i resolution - you need an upconvert DVD player for that (also on Amazon for under $100). Instead, it will upconvert the audio from one type of input to a different type of output. See the Onkyo web site and download the user's manual for more info.
One more cool feature - this receiver has satellite radio capabilities. You can buy a separate satellite turner and hook it up...OR...since I have a portable satellite radio, all I did was use the audio out line from the radio to the auxiliary in (right and left) cables, and simple as that I can listen to my XM satellite radio thru the receiver and 7 speakers.
Bottom Line: The Onkyo 575 is a very capable receiver with the latest technological innovations (as of Spring 2007) in a really good price range (appx $350). If you are looking for high quality sound with HDMI capabilities, this is the best choice. I hope this helps you out, best of luck with your audio system!
(3 out of 5)Will *NOT* Decode HDMI Audio
Unfortunately, I will need to return this unit. I need a receiver which will accept *and decode* HMDI audio information. All this unit can do is pass through the HDMI digital signal to another device (fine for video, but not audio).
This is necessary because I want Dolby TrueHD, my DvD player (Toshiba HD-A2) can decode the TrueHD and output the information in a linear multichannel PCM stream. The Toshiba lacks a 6 channel analog output, and I'm using that for a different player for DVD-Audio/SACD. I need a receiver which can decode the HDMI PCM audio information.
(3 out of 5)The 575 does NOT UPCONVERT to HDMI
The upconversion label on the 575 is misleading. This reciever will not upcovert component to HDMI. I bought this to run all of my electronics (PS2, DVD/Surround Sound, Camcorder, Laptop) up to my HDTV mounted on the wall, and it will not upconvert the analog signal to HDMI. It worked fine with the TV and surround sound, but not for the DVD player or PS2.
(4 out of 5)Great!
First of all, I got this receiver early from Amazon, and what a great deal as well. The system looked great, with clean lines and nice silver finish. There was a set of quick setup instructions and the more robust manual. It took about 5 minutes to set up video output. At the time of the purchase I still hadn't bought a home theatre system. However, I had a cable box, game system, and a dvd player.
My one caveat, which probably falls on me more than the product, is that the money I spent I wish I could've done a little bit more research. One of the reasons for this is that I have a plasma mounted on the wall, with component video cables running behind the drywall. This system however, if you want to use the HDMI connection (for example, HDMI from DVD to Receiver), you need to have an HDMI cable connecting your TV to the Receiver. Otherwise, you won't get a signal. I guess that's what they mean by HDMI pass through. So that's just a word of warning to all the AV noobs like me out there. D'oh!
Besides this, I love this receiver. It does the job of managing all my devices in a simple manner, and I can't wait to hook up my sound system.
(3 out of 5)dissapointed
I was disappointed in the fact that the audio is not being transmitted to the receiver through the hdmi cables. It requires seperate cables for digital audio to be processed, although it processes audio through hdmi to my hdtv???. When I hooked up my upconvert dvd player through the receiver, I receive an error message on some dvd's that it's format is not supported by the receiver. So in essence, I cannot even use the hdmi ports on the receiver, the video goes straight to the tv and I use coax cables to the receiver. I also experience an audio "drop out" that Onkyo's website, if I remember right, refers to as a problem that they are working on with Dolby... On a positive side, I really like the auto speaker configuration, and the sound of the unit is good..The price was extremely good.