Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXsi--- 4 HDMI inputs!

HiDeffjeff · Post by **HiDeffjeff** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:00 pm

This new HDMI receiver from Pioneer sports 4 HDMI inputs, so you don't need a switcher. also has Faroudja

Dave3putt · Post by **Dave3putt** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:52 pm

HiDeffjeff,
Could you run through what you would hook into those 4 HDMI inputs? I would only use 1 for my Sat box and 1 for my DVD player, I think.

Also, I am not real familier yet with the new A/V recievers that even have HDMI. I assume you run all connections into the receiver and then the 1 output to your display? Is that right? No more direct video connections between STB's and the display? You tell the receiver which HDMI is the one you want to see?

HiDeffjeff · Post by **HiDeffjeff** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:49 pm

Yes, that is correct. I would hook my HD-A1 Toshiba HD-DVD player to one input, My upscalable 400 disc Sony Mega-Changer to another input...My Sat receiver to a 3rd input and a second Tivo Sat receiver to the 4th...These can all be controlled with discrete ir commands into my universal remote. and it requires alot less hassle than with a Gefen switcher in the mix.

Dave3putt · Post by **Dave3putt** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:45 pm

Thanks. I have read about some problems others are having with the HDMI video pass-through between varying STB's/receivers/displays. All the way from poor PQ to no picture. Some is due to HDCP handshake, I'm sure, others not. Many have gone back to a direct video connection, skipping the receiver. But maybe they are just idiots and gave up too easily. You have not had any video problems? Have you compared your present hookup to a direct one?

Also, if your DVD player and receiver both up-convert video, which one do you use? Seems like a high end receiver would be expected to do a better job.

HiDeffjeff · Post by **HiDeffjeff** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:33 am

Believe it or not, with the Pioneer Elite HDMI receivers, I actually get a better picture than hooking direct...I have never had a problem with the handshake...I currently have the VSX-74TXvi....But I will be selling it on e-bay and picking up the newer VSX-84TXsi...with 4 inputs instead of only 2.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:48 am

Believe it or not, with the Pioneer Elite HDMI receivers, I actually get a better picture than hooking direct...

This comment is observation only and is entirely unexpected.

How long are your runs to the receiver and to the projector?

There is one possibility based on some research I had done on switchers and that is a compensation circuit that maintains a clean digital eye pattern on the cables. Is there any evidence that this has been incorporated in the Pioneer? Which standard does it support? Any evidence that SI has improved the chipset and now incorporates such circuitry?

HiDeffjeff · Post by **HiDeffjeff** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:14 am

My cable runs are 32 ft from the projector to the output of the HDMI switcher or receiver and 6 ft from the HDMI switcher output to the receiver...and another 6ft from the Tivo/DVD players to the inputs of the switcher. <<<(I plan on changing these to 3 ft lengths).

Richard, when it comes to HDMI I am totally at a loss in trying to figure out what works and what doesn't...I have had scenereos where I have 4 brand new 6 ft HDMI cables made by let's say 2 different manufacturers, and 1 cable will work perfectly between my Mega changer and the Gefen switcher, but if I take that same cable and hook it to my TiVo, it might have snow or blink in and out...(it makes absolutely no sense!)...I have been screaming in the middle of the night trying to figure out why HDMI seems to defy science at times!...Another situation worth bringing up is the fact that I have 2 Panasonic front projectors which are almost identicle...(One is 900U and 700U)...well, I usually like to rotate my projectors, so that no one particular projector gets too many hours on it...The other day I noticed the projector in my family room already has 1300 hours on it, so I thought, "heck, the one in the bedroom only has 300 hours so I'll switch them and start running up the hours on the low hour one"....well, even though the HDMI runs are exactly the same length, the projectors wouldn't accept the switch!!!!...(both projectors had snow and started blinking in and out....I swear, it makes no sense, but when I returned them to their original rooms they worked perfect again. It is almost as though the HDMI cables have a mind of their own!...I could go on and on, but the point is, sometimes HDMI doesn't make sense. I have been pretty lucky so far considering having an HDMI receiver as well as using the Gefen switcher in the mix...and then having everything controlled by my MX-3000 remote...It's like, when you get it working, DO NOT MESS WITH IT!...(At least this has been my experience)...Just yesterday I was farting around with my switcher, and it came to be that my Tivo comes in perfect going through the HDMI switcher, but when I hooked that same cable direct it had white speckles glimmering like tiny stars in the background...So I hooked the cable back through the HDMI switcher and GONE!...I just sat there shaking my head...

Tombanjo · Post by **Tombanjo** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:22 pm

Can I have your 59 if you don't need it anymore?

HiDeffjeff · Post by **HiDeffjeff** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:00 pm

Already sold it on ebay...got 2250.00 for it. Got to use it for over a year and only lost 200.00 bucks in the deal!...Kinda like renting it for 200.00 for 16 months!...

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:28 pm

My cable runs are 32 ft

Holy cow! Well there is your problem more than likely. What brand and model number of cable are you using for the 32' run? You know I don't promote expensive cables but with that length that could be part of or possibly the shole solution. It does sound like the digital eye pattern is getting distorted typically due to impedance variations and of course pushing the system design.

http://www.octavainc.com/Clear%20Eye%20difference.htm

Check out that link and let me know what you think. I don't think you have to have that but either way you are going to have to shell out big bucks for either that, a repeater, or fancy cable that exceeds specs for that 32' run.

Based on yoru recent post it does not sound like the Pioneer has fixed this problem...?