Product Description

Onkyo 7.1 HDMI Up Conversion A/V Receiver TXSR674S

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43238 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Onkyo
• Model: TXSR674S

Features

• 95 watts per channel minimum into 8 ohms, 20 hz-20khz, 0.08%, FTC
• WRAT - Wide Range Amplifer Technology
• VLSC - Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry for all channels
• 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output
• Composite to S-Video upconversion

From the Manufacturer
To move to a level beyond purely functional home theater, the TX-SR674s gives you everything you need for audibly powerful, visually expressive home entertainment. The first consideration should be the essentials—like rock-steady amplifier power and performance through Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT) and the cleanest audio signals generated by Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC). And with HDTV in mind, the TX-SR674 also offers High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and connectivity with the latest high-definition disc formats. Capping it off with Audyssey 2EQ™ room acoustics correction technology, the TX-SR674 stands out as one of the more complete A/V receivers in its class.

Special Features

• HDMI 2 Input / 1 Output, 1080p bandwith - ready for next generation DVD players
• Auto Speaker Calibration with Audyssey 2EQ - Creates an optimal listening area, not a point - perfect for families
• Video Upconversion to HDMI with deinterlacing - ensuring your video looks the best on the newest tv's

Key technology Features:
192 kHz/24bit AD Converters: Costly, extremely powerful digital-to-analog converters , that not only boast a dynamic range of 120 dB, they process information faster and are virtually resistant to clock jitter, to ensure the best possible performance from DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and audio CD.

Dolby Digital EX / Pro-Logic IIx: Home theater realism reaches new heights with the creation of Dolby Digital EX. By adding a matrix-encoded surround back channel derived from the existing discrete left and right surround channels, the lack of rear surround in 5.1 channel is eliminated. The result - a fuller 360º experience is created…even from 5.1-channel DVD releases. Best results are obtained when Dolby Digital EX is used with movie soundtracks recorded with Dolby Digital Surround EX. Pro-Logic IIx is the latest improvement on the original Pro-Logic and subsequent Pro-Logic II standards. Pro-Logic IIx adds post-processing to 5.1 channel and stereo signals, creating a realistic 7.1 channel surround environment from 5.1 channel movies and stereo sources, such as CD, Tape, FM Radio.

NeuralSurround: Neural Surround™ represents the latest advancement in surround technology developed for music and is adopted by XM Satellite Radio for digital radio broadcast of surround recordings and live events in surround sound. Neural Surround™ employs psychoacoustic frequency domain processing which allows delivery of a more detailed sound stage with superior channel separation and localization of audio elements. System playback is scalable from 5.1 to 7.1 multi channel surround playback.

VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry): Conventional D/A conversion methods reduce digital pulse noise at the conversion stage but can’t remove it completely. Previously only found on our high-end components, VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) employs a unique D/A conversion circuit to overcome this problem. Data is converted between sampling points and these points are joined with analog vectors in real-time to produce a smooth output wave form. The result — a virtually noiseless, smooth analog signal based on the digital source to bring out even the most subtle of nuances in your music, movie soundtracks and even MP3s.

XM Ready: The XM "Connect-and-Play," is a revolutionary technology platform designed to integrate XM into virtually any home or portable consumer electronics entertainment device. By matching XM Ready® audio systems with a simple, elegant antenna/receiver, getting XM becomes even easier for home audio listeners.

CinemaFILTER: The tonal balance of a film soundtrack can be edgy and bright when played back over audio equipment in your home—this is because film soundtracks are designed to be played back in large theaters, using commercial equipment. Onkyo has developed its own solution that restores the correct tonal balance of a movie soundtrack in the smaller environs of your home theater.

DTS-ES 96/24 Neo6: There are two DTS®-ES™ (Extended Surround) formats: DTS®-ES™ Discrete 6.1 and DTS®-ES™ Matrix 6.1. The DTS®-ES™ Discrete 6.1 format is, as the name implies, a 6.1-channel system with a discrete back surround channel, while DTS®-ES™ Matrix 6.1, like Dolby® Digital Surround EX™, provides a matrix-encoded back surround channel. There’s also DTS® Neo:6, which derives a 6-channel surround output from a stereo soundtrack, and regular DTS®, which, like Dolby® Digital, is a discrete 5.1-channel system, but which uses less compression than Dolby® Digital. Receivers carrying the "96/24" designation are able to decode a new high-resolution audio format, DTS-96/24. This breakthrough allows for high quality, 5.1 channel audio encoded at 96kHz/24-bit resolution to be stored on a DVD-Video disc (or the DVD-Video portion of a DVD-Audio disc). This format is compatible with all DVD players, with those able to pass a 96kHz signal providing the highest quality output (DTS-96/24 is also backwards compatible with older 48kHz DVD player models).

HDMI Video Upconversion: Converts incoming composite, S-Video signals (like a VCR to S-Video equipped TV), and component signals all the way to HDMI on most models.

Powered Zone 2: By dedicating a pair of channels on receivers with this capability, you don’t need an external amplifier to enjoy an independent stereo audio source in a remote room. For example, on higher-end models this allows for a full 5.1 channel movie to be enjoyed in the home theater, while simultaneously sending a song from a CD (or other source) to speakers in another room.

WRAT (Wide Range Amp Technology): Imagine turning up the volume and filling your entertainment room with noise-free, impressively powerful, true-to-life sound. That's the benefit of Wide Range Amplifier Technology. Originally developed for our most expensive high-end amplifiers to handle the sonic demands of today's digital age, you'll now find WRAT even in our lowest-priced A/V receivers. The WRAT family of technologies includes a broader frequency range with lower noise entering the signal path – perfectly suited for new high resolution DVD-Audio and SACD formats.

Customer Reviews

Great Receiver but ZONE 2 feature is flawed
Okay this is a great receiver for most of the advertised features. I am particularly pleased with the fact that non-HDMI sources OUTPUT from the HDMI output. Why is this important? So that using a non-analog device, such as the Onkyo DS-A2 iPOD adapter will display on your HDTV (you only need to plug in the HDMI output from your receiver into the HDTV to receive all video feeds whether composite, component or HDMI).
The quality of sound and video has been very good for the short time that I've used the receiver (about three weeks).
Here's the big weakness: this receiver has what's referred to as a ZONE 2 feature. Most receivers have a speaker "B" option and if you plug in a second set of speakers (usually just the front left and right) to the "B" speaker terminals on the back of a traditional receiver, you can enjoy your audio in another room, for example a Sun Room or on your Deck. Many people never use the Speaker "B" option on a receiver, but we all pay for the convenience of having this feature. If you do use speaker "B" then you know what a nice feature this is. So what does ZONE 2 give you that Speaker "B" doesn't give you? Well Zone 2 is advertised to play another source to the second set of speakers while the primary speakers are playing a different source (but you can play the same source to both the primary speakers and Zone 2 if you want to). In theory this is a really enticing feature and one of the reasons I purchased this receiver. For example, the kids can watch a DVD movie using the primary speakers with surround sound, while you listen to a CD on your desk using the ZONE 2 feature. Okay, so what's the problem with ZONE 2? The problem is that ZONE 2 cannot output digital sources of audio, only analog. So you cannot output a movie or your DirecTV or Comcast audio to the ZONE 2 speakers. This is NOT the case with a Speaker "B" implementation. With a typical Speaker "B" receiver, you could easily pipe your movie or Comcast box through your receiver to your Speaker A or Speaker B, it doesn't matter how the source was input into the receiver (whether RCA, optical or HDMI). With Zone 2, you can't listen to the audio of any device on your receiver this is input through optical or HDMI on the zone 2 speakers. This is truly baffling.
In my opinion, this issue with ZONE 2 makes it so dysfunctional that I wish I could switch receivers. I purchased this ZONE 2 feature thinking that it is a step up from the traditional Speaker B option of a receiver. I NEED to be able to play music on my deck, play a movie on my deck or play a sports event on my deck (how do I watch the movie or sports event on my deck? Using an HDMI splitter to output to both my inside HDTV as well as a tv on the deck).
Onkyo made a big engineering snafu by degrading the ZONE 2 feature so that it is less functional than a normal Speaker B capable receiver. Think of it this way: ZONE 2 should add on to the normal features of a Speaker B capable receiver. ZONE 2 should not TAKE AWAY functionality of a normal Speaker B capable receiver, and that's just what Onkyo has accomplished.
Hopefully this review is helpful to those of you needing a Speaker B implementation.

If you don't need Speaker B, then as I mentioned above this receiver is excellent in all other areas, hence 4 out of 5 stars.

Very Good but not Great
I bought this at Circuit City for $699, but it was worth it due to the financing offer along with the other equipment I bought along with it (Sony 46" XBR2 LCD TV, Harmony 880 remote, and some other miscellaneous Xmas gifts). You can definitely get it for much less on Amazon.

The performance is quite good. The sound is excellent. The automated speaker sound set up is simple and easy. The video processing is a little difficult to set up, but works well once it is complete. The main reason I got this was to run all my video sources through one machine and only have one cord running up my wall to my flat screen. I hate cords being visible and by converting everything to the HDMI cable, I avoid the usual jumble of cords.

The only cons are that the 674 only up-converts analog to 480i or in some cases 480p. So, other than up-converting the analog signals, it doesn't really up-convert anything else. It only passes along the digital signal at whatever resolution it is recieving it at - if 720p comes in then 720p goes out. As I understand it, this is really all you can do anyway, because up-converting a lower signal to a higher one does not really result in a better picture anyway - it pretty much will be equivalent to whatever the source resolution is.

The other issue is that this receiver is on the HDMI 1.1 format I beleive. Most up to date format is 1.3. Not a huge deal, but the more recent formats pass more signals, for example, SACD audio is not compatible with 1.1, but I think it is with 1.2 and above. Again, not a huge deal for my usage, since I am really using it for DVD and HD satellite and it passes all those signals with no problems. I am waiting to have my Directv HD DVR (HR20 is the model I think) installed in a couple weeks - my expectation is that this signal will pass through the Onkyo with no problems. Will update this comment if any negatives. Otherwise I definitely recommend this receiver.

Excellent receiver, affordable price
My setup:
* Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR674.
* 5.1 Speaker setup - Polk Audio: Monitor 70 fronts + Monitor 40 Surrounds + CS2 Center + PSW12 Subwoofer.
I am thrilled with my new Onkyo TX-SR674. The feature that I love best is the single HDMI out to my TV. I can connect any component to the receiver and all I need is a single HDMI cable to my TV from the receiver - it doesn't matter if your video sources are a VCR, DVD Player, Cable, etc., all get routed through the single HDMI out to your TV. The setup was pretty painless and the HDMI switching feature works wonderfully. The receiver comes with Audessey auto-setup which takes care of setting up your speakers. The sound is awesome - my games, DVDs as well as my audio CDs sound amazing. Most of all, the price is awesome given the features.
The only points to note are:
* You have to read the manual to set it up - you can't setup from intuition to get the right sound and setup. You may need to research some of the technical jargon on the internet.
* It seems to generate some heat - make sure your cabinets are properly ventilated.