Elapsed,

Here are the list of sound decoding by the AVR 2807:

THX Post-Processing – DPL (4.0), DPL2 Cinema, DD/DTS (5.1), ES Discrete (6.1), ES Matrix, Neo:6 Cinema
http://ca.denon.com/ProductDetails/2879.asp select: specifications

As you can see, there are no lossless audio there.

Hello mfabian - the Denon AVR-2807 is able to pass 7.1 Linear PCM (uncompressed audio stream) thru HDMI, therefore it is capable of playing new lossless audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. See the thread "5.1/7.1 PCM, HDMI, and DSP - An Explaination of the Future-Proof receiver" on AVS Forum for a full discussion.

Off course, like any other a/v receiver using HDMI Passthrough or 5.1 multichannel analogs. But the decoding is done by the HD DVD player, not the a/v. The resulting format of this decoding comes out as LPCM both ways.

One day there will be DTS-HD MA Music disks, for instance, and the AVR 2807 will not be able to decode. HDMI can be set to deliver "Bitstream", instead of PCM, and that requires the a/v to decode. For instance, a BD movie incorporating DTS-HD and played on a Samsung BD player will require an a/v capable of decoding DTS-HD... well the AVR 2807 will not decode that other than normal DD or DTS surround.

mfabian - find me any receiver that is currently on the market that is capable of decoding these audio formats natively, without the use of LPCM, and available in the $800-$1,500 range as requested by the OP.

I still stand by the AVR-2807 as being the most future proof receiver on the market within the OP's budget. I never once claimed that this receiver is capable of decoding DTS-HD natively. Keep in mind that HDMI 1.3 mass-market receivers will not be available for 3-4 months.

Elaosed,

You say you stand by the AVR 2807, fine.

The Sherwood Newcastle R-972 HDMI 1.3 Receiver is capable of decoding DD TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. The retail price in the US will be $ 1,499.

You would pay $1,500 for an AVR 2807 (if that's the price) when you are weeks away from the real thing?

The MSRP for the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 is expected to be around $1,875 CAD + tax (based on the price of the Sherwood A-965 on Axiom Audio's Canada's and US websites). I wouldn't expect any price drops for the first few months as consumers will be happy to pay a premium for HDMI 1.3. This far exceeds the OP's budget of $800-$1,500. On the other hand, the Denon AVR-2807 is widely available for under $1,200 (see this week's A&B Sound flyer), which will come to well under $1,500 after tax.

All of the news sources I read indicate the Sherwood R-972 will ship in July/August.

In any case, what are we arguing about? There will always be a new technology just around the corner, and it is impossible to be fully future proof. The OP has already purchased the Denon AVR-987 (equivalent to the AVR-2807), and I'm certain he will be thrilled with this purchase.

The Sherwood certainly looks like a good option, I've decided to hold off a little and do a bit more research. I knew what I wanted in a TV and I'm very happy with it, I'm sure I'll be more happy with a reciever when I really know what I want. If I need to spend more then 1500 bucks I will but we'll have to see what comes up. I think I'm going to get my HD-DVD first now.

Mactizen,

If you do get an HD DVD player, the need for an a/v capable of lossless audio is difficult to justify. Anything with lossless will be decoded by the player.

...unless you get a TV with HDMI 1.3 and you then would want to get all these fantastic colours.

Well all being said, the Denon avr987 is a very very good receiver, does anything I wanted and sounds great, a perfect complement to my Mission speakers, very neutral with loads of presence. My Bd's now sound just as good as they look. As for DTS-HD master, I guess I'm hoping ( like many PS3 owners ) that a futur firmware update will enable it to decode it. Loseless lpcm is for me just as good as having the receiver do it ( ok ok here is where the debate starts over which one does the best decoding, player or receiver ) but I'm happy. Resistance on the PS3 sounds so amazing.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as the best buy in mid-range receivers, even more if you can find it at a good price.

Forgot to mention I have not experienced any handshake problems with the receiver running a PS3 and Oppo 981 at 1080p and to a KDS60A2000 set and picture retains all of it's PQ, a factor not to be dismissed. My SA 8300hd and Wii run on the component ins and go to the HDMI out so only 1 hdmi to my set, great switching indeed

Please remember. This thread is to discuss the relative merits of various receivers.

Please only post MSRP. Pricing discussions and where to buy posts belong in the shopping forums.

Denon has begun announcing their lineup of HDMI 1.3 receivers. The AVR-3808CI and AVR-4308CI will arrive in July, followed by the AVR-1508, AVR-1708 and AVR-2808 in September. The AVR-2808 and up will include Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio decoding over HDMI. Prices in this article are USD.

http://www.hometheaterblog.com/hometheater/2007/02/follow_up_denon.html

Hi folks.

We have a theatre setup here at work used for demonstrating our video projects. It is a particularly complex setup, and I want to upgrade the receiver to cut down on the amount of wires we have behind the set. I'm always finding people are futziong with this and that, and the whole thing gets totally out of whack real quick.

Here's the low down:
- 4 Satellite receivers: 1 HD (DVI & Component, no HDMI), 3 SD (S-Video/Composite)
- A combo VCR/DVD Recorder, doubles as the DVD player (Component out for DVD playback, S-Video for, SD playback)
- XBox w/component video connectors
- Sony VAIO Media PC
- Samsung DLP 50" Projection TV: 1x480i component in, 2x480p/720p/1080i component in, 2x S-Video/composite in, 1x DVI in, 1xRGB
- Harmony SST-659 Remote

I want a receiver that can handle all of the above (the Media PC I may still have to connect directly to the TV... I'm cool with that) with front connectors I can leave empty for use when we need to connect a video camera or another auxilliary device. Plus I don't think I can make a case to spend more than $1000 on this (I'm eyeing the Denon AVR-2807, but I don't think it'll fly with my boss).

Sound quality can take a back seat to ability to handle many devices, as I'm connecting this to a home-theatre-in-a-box speaker set (**cringe**). At the same time, I do want quality, and I'm unlikely to purchase a no-name brick.

Can anyone recommend a receiver that will meet all of this?

The 2307 may fit the bill for you. Its cheaper than the 2807 (I know, you had no idea that was true)
If you are on a real strict budget then the Pioneer 1016 or the Onkyo 604 may do the trick.

j.e.f.f,

Can you tell us who composes the audience for this setup? It appears to be more than a home theater audience...

you're right in that it is not a typical home theatre audience (hence why sound quality is not my first concern).

The setup is used primarily to demonstrate video projects to our marketing team, and to have vendors come in a demonstrate their products to us. The components used most are the DVD player and the satellite receivers. Sometimes we will plug in a laptop to the RGB input in the TV to display a powerpoint presentation. Occasionally we will use the DVD recorder to record a presentation. And of course, our lunch hours are often filled with some pretty serious Halo action on the XBox.

Each time the setup is used, someone invariably moves wires around because our current setup doesn't accomodate everything we need. I have unoffically taken on the role of the tech that is called in to hook this or that up, or fic the mess that someone else made during the last presentation. Ideally, I'd like to set it and forget it, taking advantage of the simplicity of the Harmony Remote to take over my role as the "tech."

So a Receiver that can handle all of the various devices is paramount. I took a look at the Denon AVR-2307 and it appears that it can handle 4 devices in the back and one in the front. I like 2807 cuz it can handle 6 devices in the back. Obviously the more the better, but it looks like I need a minimum of 6.

Does this help?

j.e.f.f. if this helps I got the Denon 987 which is a rebadged 2807, and can vouch for it as being a very able and good receiver and a few extras over the 2307 like Audyssey EQ and AL24. Sure it only has HDMI 1.1 but if you take a look at the sticky on this you will see that it's no problem.

It gets my vote ( it got my cash too ;) )

Why does Denon have the two lines of receivers with different numbers?

The supposed story is one line for big stores and the other for boutique shops, on the Denon site they do mention that the 987 is aimed at custon install market, but from what I see the single digit line is aimed at the BB type market, and double digits for boutique shops.

Mind you my 987 is the 987p from the proline, rackmount included