CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[scash07]

I have been using the EXT-HD with a Sony Blu-Ray S300 and Toshiba HDA30 thru the switching of my Onkyo PrePro SC885 (it is the same as the Integra 9.8). I also am able to connect with a DirectTV feed via HDMI.

I also have an HTPC as a source, and was hoping to take advantage of HDMI switching by using a DVI-HDMI cable into the Pre-Pro. When I boot the PC, I do see the boot up sequence in a very low resolution appearing (G90). However, once it loads Windows the screen goes blank.

Has anyone tried to use an HTPC (using NVidia 9600 GT card 512mb) through an HDMI switching receiver? I am planning to try the HTPC direct to the EXT_HD to see how that may work/not work as a next step.

[ecrabb]

How do you like the 885? Coincidentally, I'm going to order an Integra 9.9 after lunch today - it will clean up my rack cabling immensely and make switching MUCH simpler, too. Then, there's the balanced interconnects and high-res audio. Can't wait.

I wonder if it's a weird resolution/refresh setting. Do you have a DVI display with which you could set a lower resolution - say 720p or something - before you switch over to using it on the 885. It could also be that the 885 doesn't like a non-CE resolution/refresh. Oh, and do you have the 885 set to "through"?

I like your idea of hooking the HTPC directly to the EXT_HD to see if the problem is there or in the 885 - that's probably where I'd start, too.

Cheers,
SC

[scash07]

I really like the 885. It is the same as the 9.8, but adds the rack ears, and was about $300 less. I just tried it directly to the EXT-FullHD and it does work.... So the issue is the 885 passing onto the Moome device....

I suspected that. I'll probably need to make sure the 885 has the latest firmware. I do have the 885 set for pass through. I am wondering if it just doesn't like to DVI-D signal? it comes through VERY low resolution, even though I have the card set for 1080p output. I'm going to upgrade my graphics card to an HDMI output, once a good one is out and stable. I know ATI has some, but I haven't heard much positive feedback on them. Also want to be able to do real TRUE HD and DTS Master Audio thru the HDMI. Hopefully will have something in the not too distant future.

[mhalsan]

I have an 885, with newest main and DSP firmware. It is a great pre/pro. No problems with bitstreamed audio, once the new DSP and main firmware were installed. TrueHD, which I had problems with in v1.04 works fine with version 1.08.
Everything works fine with an HTPC >> 885 >> Moome card, except custom resolutions that aren't in the EDID of the Moome card.
I'm using an odd screen size with a 2.17 aspect, and a custom resolution of 2600x1200x62Hz from two GeForce cards.
This works great via RGBHV, but not via HDMI.

Is it possible that the new Moome cards just announced will have a workaround for this?

Thanks, Mark

[scash07]

Mark -

I basically gave up trying to get the vidio through HDMI. I'm just going RGBHV now from the HTPC.

How did you get the updated firmware for the 885. I cannot find reference to it on the Onkyo site. Now were you getting 1080p from the NVidia cards through the 885 to the Moome card? Also, are you using Vista or XP. Seems like not all functionality for controling the driver is available in Vista like it is in XP.

Thanks for any insight here.

[mhalsan]

I'm using Windows XP, SP3. You're right- the Vista drivers are missing important features.

The Onkyo 885 firmware is updated two ways:
- DSP firmware is updated by making a CD-R from a downloaded ISO file, and MUST be delivered to the 885 via the Toslink digital input (coaxial won't work)
- Main firmware is updated via the serial/RS-232 port via a standard cable. Apparently a USB cable with a USB-RS-232 adapter will also work.
There's a well-written yet lengthly article written that describes exactly how this is done, and it worked properly for my unit.
I'm not exactly sure of forum rules about posting links to other forums, so I'm sending the link via private message.
It's worth reading this in advance. Unfortunately Onkyo has a rather convoluted way of updating this model.

Setting the GeForce cards to output 1029x1080x60Hz worked with a DVI-HDMI cable to the 885, then HDMI to the projector. It was obvious, though, that more and better horizontal resolution was possible via RGBHV, since the GeForce 8800 Ultra uses 400MHz DAC outputs. For Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, I use HDMI all the way, with excellent results.

Thanks, Mark