Home Theatre Receivers and "4K readiness"

[Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 12:03
Last edited 19/10/2014 - 12:06

Noticed a deal for a cheap receiver/home theatre system yesterday on OzB and wanted to alert anyone considering a new purchase to be wary of so called "4K readiness/capability" in current receiver specs. Below is a comment I made in that deal, amended and reposted here as a heads up for others.

I'm in the process of looking for a new home theatre system to replace my (very satisfactory) Sony 5.1, mainly because I bought two new bookshelf speakers to enhance stereo only to find the receiver won't drive them "adequately" (another story of failure to research in depth before buying - doh)!

As a result of my latest research on 4K I'll summarise by saying the latest indications are that the content providers have insisted on HDCP2.2 protection as the standard for 4K compliance and the vast majority of current "4k ready" receivers and some earlier TVs do not actually have this capability despite early advertising as being 4K ready (primarily I gather because it seemed a lower standard via HDMI2.0 was expected to be implemented). Note also that as this standard is hardware incorporated it cannot be fixed by firmware upgrades although, quote: "Crestron has indicated that its DigitalMedia 4K Ultra HD switchers introduced earlier this year would be upgradeable to support HDCP 2.2."

There is plenty of reading material for anyone wanting to "4K future proof" their receivers/home theatre systems but please be aware that there are currently VERY FEW RECEIVERS WITH HDCP2.2 CAPABILITY on the market and it appears that "4K ready" is now not what it seemed a few months ago.

New 4K ready receivers are expected to hit markets in the next 6 months or so. Newer TVs are apparently less of a concern and may actually be compliant but always check for HDCP2.2 if 4K is of interest, don't swallow the "4K ready" line! I'm waiting for the new generation of receivers before I buy, although in electronic media you can never really future proof anything as we know.

See the comments regarding HDCP2.2 after this review: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/sony-str-dn1050-av-rec… (the receiver I was looking at - a WhatHiFI award winner)

Here's a basic discussion of the HDCP2.2 issue: http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/hdcp-2-2-what-you-need-to-know/

A slightly more detailed discussion: http://www.cepro.com/article/understanding_hdcp_2.2_the_good…

There are many more discussions on the general topic of 4K if you search.

Hopefully what I've learned will help others.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • sirs2k on 19/10/2014 - 12:25

    Thanks for that mate. I'm actually considering the pioneer 523 and thought the "4k ready" was a good bonus but now I know it's nothing but a gimmick.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 13:19
    +1

    Not so much a gimmick as a case of content providers leading manufacturers up the garden path somewhat and retailers not understanding the issues. I saw one retailer in UK sounding off in a forum that the HDCP decision would make early uptake consumers who bought 4K ready TVs a while back very unhappy at being misled when in fact it was the pwerful movie companies which have caused the problem.

  • plmko on 19/10/2014 - 14:22
    +1

    The benefits of HDCP2.2 is a long way away, if you need something to enjoy your current hardware, I wouldn't hesitate to buy now.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/10/2014 - 14:57

      Not a long way away at all unless you consider 12-18 months a long time. 4K content is currently available but very limited, and as with any technology the quicker the hardware uptake the quicker the content makers will respond to demand. They work together to create demand for new (improved) products and there's little doubt the demand will be there.

      The particular point about receivers is that many people buy them to last a decade or more so it makes sense (to me) to wait 6 months, get one which is HDCP2.2 compliant, and sit back and wait for the prices of UHD hardware to drop and content to ramp up. Meantime plenty of people will be happy with blu ray or 1080p as I will, but in the next few years I'll be looking to upgrade to a 4K player and TV so no point in buying a new non-compliant receiver now.

  • sirs2k on 19/10/2014 - 14:26

    You're right. I would be pissed if that happened to me.

    Since we're on the same subject. I posted this comment of that offer.

    According to this http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/products/VSX-523-K/print.html

    It does have dynamic range control AND apparently on screen menu is available via HDMI only!

    Whereas here http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pio…

    There's no mention of dynamic range and says on screen menu only COMPOSITE! what am I supposed to go by?!

  • StewBalls on 19/10/2014 - 14:47

    Thanks Possumbly, appreciate the heads-up! :)

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