AV receivers are the core components of a home cinema system, being responsible for not only…
AV receivers are the core components of a home cinema system, being responsible for not only powering the speakers, but decoding the source material. Here are a few important facts that you need to keep in mind when you select your next receiver.
Features
As audio/video receivers have grown rapidly in complexity to keep abreast of ever-evolving technology, it can be confusing to keep track of the many new features that keep appearing in new receivers. Almost all AV receivers have five or more channels of amplification and Dolby or DTS decoding technology.
They also usually have tuners for FM/AM radio and may also support internet radio. Other features that may be available include DSP processing to give a ‘cinema-quality’ to the sound, PC wireless streaming technology, iPod dock and even a phono stage.
Amplification
5.1 receivers have 5 channels of amplification for the centre speaker, left and right front speakers and left and right surround speakers, along with a line level output to a powered sub woofer. More advanced 7.1 receivers have two additional channel of amplification for the extra rear speakers while
9.1 receivers add two further channels to the front. This is by no means the limit however, as top AV receivers have 11 channels for a really enveloping sound.
Decoding
One of the main functions of the AV receiver is decoding the soundtrack on DVD and Blu-ray disks. Software developed by Dolby labs is used for this purpose while DTS decodes are also used to a lesser extent.
Dolby Digital became the most popular soundtrack format with the introduction of DVD and was later developed to include a rear centre surround channel with Dolby Digital EX. DTS offers the competing DTS Surround and DTS ES technologies.
Technological evolutions
Dolby has also introduced Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Pro Logic IIx, evolutions of the first surround sound decoder Dolby Pro Logic, which convert stereo sound to surround sound. The biggest change in these technologies in recent times has been the introduction of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio to meet the demands of high definition sound. These codes are essential for enjoying the full quality of the soundtracks on Blu-ray discs, so keep that in mind as you compare AV receivers.
Buying a new AV receiver can be confusing, but keep these basics in mind and you are bound to find one that meets your requirements and budget.
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Onkyo TX-NR515 |
Onkyo AV Receivers | ||
7.2
![]() 1 review – 54 user opinions – 2 news – 11 videos – 15 photos
Onkyo TX-NR515 review
Trusted Reviews —
08-2012
Onkyo TX-NR515 Surround Sound System review: Can Onkyo keep up its fine AV receiver track record with this feature packed 7.2-channel audio hub? Hide
Onkyo TX-NR515 review | Read more
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£500
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Onkyo TX-NR3007 |
Onkyo AV Receivers | ||
9.2
![]() 1 review – 1 feedback – 7 news – 1 video – 4 photos
AV Receiver Reviews; The Onkyo TX-NR3007
Into Tech » Tips For Differential D —
13/12/2010
If you are set on constructing a high-performance home audio-visual system, you are looking for the top of the line central processor on the market to manage it, and $1300 sounds like a practical… Hide
AV Receiver Reviews; The Onkyo TX-NR3007 | Read more
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£500
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Denon AVR-1911 |
Denon AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 2 reviews – 5 user opinions – 12 news – 4 videos – 19 photos
Denon AVR-1911 review
Trusted Reviews —
09-2010
Denon AVR-1911 Surround Sound System review: Denon upholds its enviable reputation with yet another admirable AV receiver. Hide
Denon AVR-1911 review | Read more
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£420
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Yamaha DSP-Z11 |
Yamaha AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 2 news – 1 video – 3 photos
Review: Yamaha DSP-Z7
TechRadar —
22/07/2009
Yamaha’s DSP-Z7 has come to be because the company’s flagship DSP-Z11 is just a little too extreme for many. Extreme on the wallet, extreme on the features count, extreme in performance and extreme… Hide
Review: Yamaha DSP-Z7 | Read more
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£361 to £2,104
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Denon AVR-1611 |
Denon AV Receivers | ||
5.1
![]() 2 reviews – 5 user opinions – 8 news – 1 video – 2 photos
Review: Denon AVR-1611
TechRadar —
28/01/2011
This five-channel amp tries to bring Denon’s legendary sound quality to a low price point without greatly compromising on cutting-edge features. As such, the AVR-1611 boasts 3D compatibility through… Hide
Review: Denon AVR-1611 | Read more
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£420
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Denon AVR-1910 |
Denon AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 5 user opinions – 15 news – 1 video – 16 photos
frankmehta gets® an AV Receiver: The Denon AVR 1910
TechEnclave —
17/05/2010
This purchase was planned for much later (2 months down the line, after shifting to our new crib), but then suddenly there was this MASSIVE offer on GEB (Global Easy Buy) where, for 12 hours, one… Hide
frankmehta gets® an AV Receiver: The Denon AVR 1910 | Read more
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£420
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Yamaha RX-V665 |
Yamaha AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 2 reviews – 5 user opinions – 10 news – 6 photos
Yamaha 630W 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver for $170 + free shipping
Today’s Review —
01/07/2010
Dell Home offers the Yamaha RX-V665 630-watt 7.2-Channel Receiver for $499.99. Add it to your cart to cut it to $169.99 Hide
Yamaha 630W 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver for $170 + free shipping | Read more
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£72
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Denon AVR-3310CI |
Denon AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 5 user opinions – 2 news – 5 videos |
£420
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Harman/Kardon AVR 2600 |
Harman/Kardon AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 25 user opinions – 4 news – 33 photos |
£440
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Denon AVR-4310 |
Denon AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 4 user opinions – 3 news – 1 photo
Denon AVR-4310 – 7.1-channel AV Receiver review
Trusted Reviews —
01-2010
Denon AVR-4310 – 7.1-channel AV Receiver Surround Sound System review: The Denon AVR-4310, 7.1-channel AV Receiver offers a top-spec and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. Hide
Denon AVR-4310 – 7.1-channel AV Receiver review | Read more
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£420
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Yamaha RX-V663 |
Yamaha AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 5 user opinions – 4 news – 7 photos
No audio from HDMI output on video card
M Audio Blog —
28/04/2008
robraz: I have it hooked up to my Yamaha RX-V663 receiver which can decode HDMI audio, but when it’s plugged in, video is fine, but audio doesn’t work at all. If I uninstall all sound drivers from… Hide
No audio from HDMI output on video card | Read more
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£72
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Onkyo TX-SR605 |
Onkyo AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 30 news – 2 videos – 2 photos
A decent soundcard?
M Audio Blog —
07/05/2008
unknown: I was looking at Turtle Beach Riviera or a Diamond exteremsound. Im using an Onkyo Tx-SR605 so it will decode it all. I assume that a sound card set to pass through doesnt really do that… Hide
A decent soundcard? | Read more
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£500
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Denon AVR-1912 |
Denon AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 2 reviews – 5 user opinions – 6 news – 3 videos – 16 photos
Denon AVR-1912 review
Trusted Reviews —
11-2011
Denon AVR-1912 Surround Sound System review: The Denon AVR-1912 is a classy-looking 7.1-channel AV receiver with built-in AirPlay support, internet radio and easy setup, but it’s trumped by more… Hide
Denon AVR-1912 review | Read more
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£420
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Yamaha RX-V2065 |
Yamaha AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 2 reviews – 3 user opinions – 2 news
Review: Yamaha RX-V2065
TechRadar —
16/02/2010
There comes a time in the development life cycle of electronic equipment where things get a bit, well, Terminator. Your electronics get ideas of their own and start ordering you about. For instance,… Hide
Review: Yamaha RX-V2065 | Read more
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£72
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Onkyo TX-SR308 |
Onkyo AV Receivers | ||
5.1
![]() 2 reviews – 1 feedback – 17 news – 4 videos – 2 photos
What’s A Good Entry Level Receiver To Start With?
Into Tech » Tips For Differential D —
10/11/2010
If you will soon be searching for your first AV receiver, and would prefer not to dip into the 401(k) until you decide what you actually want, the Onkyo TX-SR308 Receiver may be a wise expenditure… Hide
What’s A Good Entry Level Receiver To Start With? | Read more
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£500
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Onkyo TX-SR508 |
Onkyo AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 2 user opinions – 30 news – 4 videos – 1 photo
Need help with onkyo tx-sr508
TechEnclave —
06/08/2011
I have total of 6 speakers …. i m planning to keep 4 in one room and 2 in other connected via Onkyo TX-SR508 i wanted to ask if i can manipulate audio through rooms .. like if i want the 2 in one… Hide
Need help with onkyo tx-sr508 | Read more
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£500
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Onkyo TX-SR608 |
Onkyo AV Receivers | ||
7.2
![]() 2 reviews – 10 user opinions – 42 news – 13 videos – 2 photos
Onkyo TX-NR3007 Recipient Evaluation
iPhone 4 Case —
22/07/2011
Onkyo TX-SR608 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Once the Onkyo TX-NR3007 gets our prime powered hub of a high end home entertainment system, it makes sense probably the most up to date… Hide
Onkyo TX-NR3007 Recipient Evaluation | Read more
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£500
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Sony STR-DH700 |
Sony AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 34 user opinions – 5 news – 1 video – 18 photos |
£7 to £22
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Pioneer VSX-1020-K |
Pioneer AV Receivers | ||
7.1
![]() 1 review – 5 user opinions – 51 news – 8 photos
Low Price for Pioneer VSX 1020 K
mutliroom —
09/02/2011
Low Price for Pioneer VSX 1020 K Low Price for Pioneer VSX 1020 K Pioneer VSX 1020 KSave on Pioneer VSX 1020 K. Free Shipping, Order Now! You can Buy Pioneer VSX 1020 K In Stock. Pioneer VSX 1020 K… Hide
Low Price for Pioneer VSX 1020 K | Read more
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£50
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Yamaha RX-V367 |
Yamaha AV Receivers | ||
5.1
![]() 2 reviews – 6 user opinions – 17 news – 11 videos – 1 photo
looking for a active sub woofer under 10k , for Yamaha RX-V367
TechEnclave —
22/09/2011
*looking for a active sub woofer under 10k , for Yamaha RX-V367 guys please suggest me nice woofer , my expectation , if should fill a medium or large rooms , performance should be thick ,tight with… Hide
looking for a active sub woofer under 10k , for Yamaha RX-V367 | Read more
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£72
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