Hey all,

We're getting to a point where we're researching the next home theatre setup. The old projector is starting to give up the ghost, we've had to make use of a DTV converter box for OTA, and the PC that we use doesn't integrate well into the receiver, just audio.

What I'm trying to do is to find the optimal receiver for my application now and for what I plan to have shortly, and if necessary (and will likely be expected) buy a new display to go with the new setup.

I have the following players with the outputs as listed:

Pioneer Laserdisc player
S-Video, Composite Video, Optical Digital Audio, Coaxial Digital Audio, Stereo Audio (note: Laserdiscs with analog-only audio do not use the digital ports, stereo audio must be hooked up)

Toshiba S-VHS VCR
Outputs: S-Video, Composite Video, Stereo Audio
Inputs: 2x S-Video, 2x Composite Video, 2x Stereo Audio
Sony Blu-Ray Player
HDMI, Component, S-Video, Composite Video, Optical Digital Audio, Coaxial Digital Audio, Stereo Audio

Pioneer CD-Recorder/changer
Outputs: Optical Digital Audio, Coaxial Digital Audio, Stereo Audio
Inputs: Optical Digital Audio, Coaxial Digital Audio, Stereo Audio

PC
VGA D-Sub 15, S-Video, Composite Video, Optical Digital Audio (if memory serves), Coaxial Digital Audio, Stereo Audio

DTV converter box
S-Video, Composite Video, Stereo Audio


I would really, REALLY like an amp that has built-in ATSC and QAM tuners, has enough S-Video for at least the LD and the VCR, and has the ability to upconvert analog signals to output to a digital signal to the TV. The computer is really of little consequence compared to the rest, I could change out the video controller for something with DVI and adapt to HDMI. We don't know if we're sticking with a projector or if we're going to go with a flat TV, but we're leaning projector mainly due to the safety of such a device if we have kids. I've seen too many accidents with video game controllers and simply horsing around that lead to broken big TVs. HDMI to the projector would allow for one fairly flat cable to connect instead of like I have to do now, where I have an S-Video cable and a VGA cable making the run. We'd also really like to avoid spending more than $600 for such a receiver, but I'm realistic in that I might not find everything I want for that. I am prepared to, if necessary, track down a Pioneer Elite DVD/LD combo player with Component Out if I can find one, and to stop using the S-Video on the SVHS VCR if I absolutely must, but I won't deny that I don't like having to do that.

Any suggestions for the right receiver/amp would be much appreciated. It'll probably be some time before I really get into the whole conversion (as it's expensive), but anything would be helpful.

Any thoughts on the Onkyo TX-NR708? It appears that Tiger Direct has it for about $610 after shipping costs.

I guess I'm a little bummed out, we went by the Bang and Olufsen store because some relatives of mine have a 30 year old system from them that still works and sounds incredible, but we certainly can't afford their receiver. It did have a built-in ATSC tuner though... *grin*

That's a shame about Onkyo, I've got an old stereo receiver/amp with separate pro-logic decoder that still works great, probably fifteen to twenty years old now. Only reason I stopped using it was a lack of S-Video. The current Sony is a pawnshop find, so maybe one of those factory recon units will fit the bill. I'm not afraid of used, basically everything except the VCR and Blu-ray was used, including the projector, and the old DVD player was too...

We'll see what the wife wants to do. She has veto power...