Need an AV receiver for my consoles

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Have you looked at current AVRs? I was just at Best Buy yesterday looking at the newest generation, none of them had s-video.

I just checked pioneer's website their highest model in the Elite series, SC-37, MSRP $2200, does not support s-video.

Also checked Marantz and they also do not have s-video. Onkyo does in there very highest above $2000 models.

The poster was asking for a cheap receiver that took s-video, and he needs the receiver to convert to HDMI something he can use.

OK, you need to understand that you're not going to find S-video on the highest end models. That's Digital-only territory there, what you need to do is find a middle of the road solution that can cater to both analog and digital needs. The age of just picking between an all analog and all digital receiver are long gone.

Nowadays you need to make a compromise between the way it handles your digital sources and the ability to use a select few analog inputs.

For example Onkyo has several Japanese built receivers that feature up to 4 S-Video inputs per box at affordable mid-range prices.

Here are a select few from their lineup:

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX- ... ceiver&p=f

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT- ... ceiver&p=f

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX- ... ceiver&p=f

http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT- ... ceiver&p=f

[Hatta]

So by your definition neither Marantz nor Pioneer make good receivers.

Correct. I wouldn't take either if they were given to me. I have no use for an AV receiver without s-video. Might as well be a brick.

[Jamisonia]

the poster is asking for a cheap solution. I believe I provided him with the easiest, best, cheapest solution.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Have you looked at current AVRs? I was just at Best Buy yesterday looking at the newest generation, none of them had s-video. Possibly the Elite's might, but I think that's out of the poster's price range.

Yeah, they've all still got at least one input on the front or several on the rear. The POS ones you'll find on the main sales floor next to the DVD and Blu-Ray players are junk and should be avoided like the plague. I've never had a single good experience with one of those pieces of garbage.

When it comes to picking a brand new receiver go for something that can be seen as a 10-15 year investment. Pioneer, Onkyo, Marantz, McIntosh & Yamaha are all some of my favorite companies making modestly priced entry level videophile receivers and they're worth every penny.

My two main receivers are a Yamaha-Natural Sound-Cinema Series from 2005 and a Pioneer VSX-7300 from 1987. Both work excellently and are a complete pleasure to listen to. The Yamaha handles my video & audio and converts all incoming inputs to 720p via component which is something I haven't seen with any other receiver since the advent of HDMI and all the HDCP BS. The Pioneer I use for audio and everything else, my CD's, vinyl, cassettes, radio, etc... all go through it and still sounds wonderful over 20 years after my dad bought it.

but the OP is asking for a cheap solution to his problem.

There is no such thing as good cheap AV receiver, anything cheap will fail within give or take a few months to a year. Cheap ones are considered disposable and barely have features or a warranty. Higher end models are only a bit more, can run your entire home media setup without breaking a sweat and feature lavish support for you after your purchase.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

So by your definition neither Marantz nor Pioneer make good receivers.

Correct. I wouldn't take either if they were given to me. I have no use for an AV receiver without s-video. Might as well be a brick.

Hold on buddy, Marantz and Pioneer make wonderful AV receivers and amplifiers. Are they the most input laden and feature-rich? Well no, not by a long shot, but they're not bad as a result of it. Just overpriced at times.

[Jamisonia]

So by your definition neither Marantz nor Pioneer make good receivers.

Correct. I wouldn't take either if they were given to me. I have no use for an AV receiver without s-video. Might as well be a brick.

well good luck shopping for electronics in the 21st Century. S-video is dead. There is nearly nobody left who supports it.

[Jamisonia]

There is no such thing as good cheap AV receiver, anything cheap will fail within give or take a few months to a year. Cheap ones are considered disposable and barely have features or a warranty. Higher end models are only a bit more, can run your entire home media setup without breaking a sweat and feature lavish support for you after your purchase.

there's a certain kool-aid factor to high end AV equipment.

[noiseredux]

in keeping with the OP's request, a simple search of Amazon for "s-video to hdmi" yields some options under $100.

Like this:

or more: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... mi&x=0&y=0

obviously read customer reviews of each, man. I am not of the mindsight that just because you don't want to have to sell yr car to play S-Video on yr TV that it guarantees that the converter you choose will crap out within a year. See what other customers have said about each product.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

It's also worth mentioning to scan the second hand market as well. Used receivers are always a viable option if they were properly maintained and not overdriven and abused due to a lack of care.

Pawn shops are a fantastic place to look as are hi-fi stores that stock second hand items, usually at a deep discount to move older and supposedly less desirable models. It takes some looking but sometimes you can get models that are just a year old for nearly half (or even less) the original price given how fast the AV market moves. The dozens of new receivers that come out every year make shopping for used ones a very cost effective solution.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

There is no such thing as good cheap AV receiver, anything cheap will fail within give or take a few months to a year. Cheap ones are considered disposable and barely have features or a warranty. Higher end models are only a bit more, can run your entire home media setup without breaking a sweat and feature lavish support for you after your purchase.

there's a certain kool-aid factor to high end AV equipment.

Yes and no, certain cheaper ones can be very good, in fact better than their big brothers if they're dedicated to far less functions and have much better amps as a result. But the majority of the all-in-ones are garbage, cheap $100-$200 Sony's, $200 Yamaha's, sub-$300 Pioneer's, etc... can be very, very bad and muddle audio like crazy with lots of overblown bass and squealy crackly highs. I'm a fan of New-England style sound, AKA clean and clear as glass but ready to punch you in the face with sound should the need arise.

Muddled ultra bassy rumbles and tinny treble is grating as can be from a cheapo box.