- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 28 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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46 out of 58 people found this review helpful
1.5 stars
"So promising, yet totally disappointing"
Pros: potentially excellent feature set
Cons: HDMI passthrough didn't work, video stays on in audio modes, PITA setup
Summary: I was SO excited about this new SR674 from Onkyo. The feature set, on paper, is really excellent for a mid-priced AVR (I paid $699 at Frys). I particularly wanted the HDMI switching (2x1) and HDMI upconversion from Component/S/Composite. It also supports 2 zone audio (though, clumsily)
Well, forget it. It's back in the box and will be returned in the morning. I just wasted 4 hours trying to get it to work.
The setup is a PITA. The manual is confusing in many spots. The unit I have just DIDN'T WORK - the HDMI inputs (there are 2) just NEVER worked. It _did_ upconvert from S and Composite to HDMI, and onscreen menus were there, but my main HDMI source (Oppo DVD) just never came through. Yes, I followed the directions, like 15 times. I tried every combination of input jack and input routing and...NADA. I guess this one is just a lemon.
I should also mention that this is such a new unit that Onkyo's own support website (URL printed on a sticker ON the unit) does not even list this unit in the master product list. Grrrr. So, no luck on web-based troubleshooting.
What I did learn from this fiasco was that the 674 has some odd mode settings (as compared to common sense, and a Sony DG800 AVR sitting next to it). When you switch to an audio-only mode (e.g. CD, Tape) the unit keeps routing the video to the monitor. Strange. When I say "CD" - I'm thinking "I'd like to turn off the TV and listen to a CD" - NOT "I'd like to listen to a CD while watching sound-less video of the last thing that was being displayed". Strange logic from the engineers at Onkyo. That "feature" alone would send me back to the return line at Frys.
I had just bought the Sony DG800 a couple weeks back and planned to return it once the Onk was going. However, the Sony is back in the cabinet and the Onk is back in the foam packing for its trip home. The DG800 was way more sensible to set up, has niceties like being able to program the mode display text to say something like "Dish TV" or "Jukebox" rather than "Video3" or "Tap".
The Sony lacks on screen menus that the onk has, but, to be honest, the Onk ones were beguiling and ugly. I'd rather fumble with Sony's remote control driven ones, thanks.
All that said, for the little time I had it running, I'd say the SR674 sounds better than the Sony DG800. But man, it runs HOT - like "holy $%&@ that's hot, hot".
The Zone 2 audio controls are also strange - basically, you control volume in Zone 2 by a couple of tiny pushbuttons, NOT the main volume control. And, if there is a way to "tie" the same audio source across Zone 1 and Zone 2 and control the volume together, I'll be darned if I could find it...basically, think of Zone 2 as a very primitive feature.
All in all, nice try by Onkyo with the SR-674 , but I'll pass.
I'm off to look at Denon and Yamaha units now, though I may just stick with the Sony if I can't find what I want without having to shell out a $1000...
So, so disappointing.
- 7 replies to this review
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I find the onkyo manual to be very detailed and informative. They have thought of everything, but if you still can't figure it out I'd suggest calling them. They are extremely helpful and they all have pretty much memorized each recievers capabilities/functions etc.
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I am a 52 yr old woman, this was my first a/v receiver ever. I splurged on a 60" Sony SXRD and realized I wanted the sound to go with the picture. I hooked this up by myself and got it working the first time. I have an upconverting DVD player and a HD cable box. It was like plugging in a vacuum. I took my time with the settings in the menu. I don't mind just shutting off the tv when I switch to audio. There is a button on the remote to do that. My biggest complaint is that I need reading glasses to read the remote buttons, although the ones I use regularly I know without looking.
My unit has worked flawlessly since August. -
My cuzin had 1, same problem! So he replaced it! PROBLEM SOLVED! It was working!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Have had my 674 for 6 weeks and love it. Have not encountered any of the problems described by gearhead. I can easily switch to audio mode without video being routed to the monitor.
In assigning HDMI or other sources, the manual is somewhat confusing. A call to Onkyo's tech center is all that's needed for any setup confusion. -
I'm sorry it wasn't what you expected but I would highly suggest you research a product next time before buying.
Most of the things you decribed were what this unit was designed to do. As for your Oppo HDMI problem I read no attempts from you to contact CS or Tech support to solve the issue only attempts to find web based resolutions and this was an new unit at the time, no wonder you didn't find anything.
As far as the Video still being displayed on the tv when you switch to cd/fm/am/etc, this is a feature I LOVE about onkyo receivers you can watch one source while listening to another, excellent for sports and if you don't like the feature you can disable it by hitting another sorce and going back to cd/dvd/fm etc or just turn off the tv (simple enough).
The auto setup is in depth compaired to other auto setup but it also give alot more user control options in the end and no it's not perfect but NO AUTO SETUP I've found is anywhere near perfect. It's comparable if not a bit better than the competition.
You did say the unit sounded better than the Sony you tested it against. Isn't that why you buy a audio product. Everything you decribed (minus the Oppo HDMI issue that you didn't try to solve as much as you should have) is exactly what the unit was designed to do.
In the future I suggest you research before you lay 1/2 a grand down on a product so you know what your getting and not wind up disappointed, writing a negative review on a product that works like it's supposed to. -
wondering if you figure out the problem with hdmi hookups. i'm considering this one or the pioneer Vtx 72..which is a bit more; but from all the recent reviews I found, these two seem to be the most highly regarded in this price ranges.
is it really that hot? -
silivalleygearhead, did you look at the pioneer vsx-81txv? i just ordered the onkyo 674 and its on back order maybe i get the pioneer.....i like the fact that they have hdmi conversion
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