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James Rodriquez

The answer is very simple: TiVo HD. This DVR lets you record over-the-air and digital-cable broadcasts in HD. Go to the TiVo website for more info.

You Want to What?
I bought Denon receiver about a month ago. It is connected to a Vizio 55-inch flat panel, an Onkyo CD changer, a Samsung Blu-ray player, a Denon iPod dock, and a Verizon FiOS HD cable receiver. I have two concerns.

First, the Denon clicks and pauses the audio for a second or two. Then it goes back to playing normally. This is a totally random thing. Sometimes it happens after a few minutes, other times the system may be on for two hours before it occurs, but when it occurs, it is very annoying. Can you tell me why this happens? The receiver is not in a rack, it is in a large opening at the bottom of my console cabinet with plenty of ventilation.

Second, the FiOS receiver is connected to the Denon with an HDMI cable, and the Denon and Vizio are connected with another HDMI cable. With this setup, the Denon has to be switched on in order to watch TV. If I want to listen to the TV's speakers, I have to access the Denon's menu to switch off the system sound. Sometimes I would rather just switch on the TV and watch it without turning on the Denon. How can I do this with the setup I have described?

Guy Madison

The clicking/pausing problem sounds like a defect in the Denon receiver. Since you bought it only a month ago, it's still under warranty. The only solution I can think of is to contact Denon to arrange service or replacement.

I don't know why you'd rather listen to the Vizio's onboard sound when watching TV (except for the annoying defect in the receiver). But if you really want to, one way is to connect the FiOS box's HDMI output directly to a different HDMI input on the TV. But in that case, you'll have to switch the TV's inputs when you want to watch FiOS versus watching Blu-ray, and you won't hear any surround sound that might accompany the FiOS program.

Alternatively, you could connect the FiOS box's component-video output and digital-audio output to the TV's corresponding inputs and switch the TV to that input when you want to watch FiOS without firing up the Denon. That would let you keep the HDMI connection between the FiOS box and the receiver for those times when you want to hear better sound while watching TV.

Good Morning, Vietnam
I have moved from the US to Vietnam, and I am getting ready to buy a new A/V receiver. I am looking at the Onkyo TX-SR805 and TX-SR806. I have noticed that the ones for Asia with 220V power have 230 watts per channel, while the US models have 130 watts. Will a US model work here in Asia plugged into a converter? Also, it seems easier to find good deals in the US. Any advice on purchasing in Asia? What is your advice regarding the two models I mentioned?

Joe Millar

I don't see why a US model wouldn't work in Asia with a voltage converter. However, it must be a converter that steps down 220V to 120V, not a simple plug adaptor.

Both Onkyo receivers you mention are fine in terms of sound quality, and they handle HDMI video no problem, but they degrade analog video signals, so if you have mostly analog video sources, I would not recommend them. The Onkyo TX-SR607 is much better in this regard, and it's less expensive to boot.

I'm sorry, I have no advice on buying in Asia. Maybe some of our readers do...

If you have a home-theater question, please send it to scott.wilkinson@sorc.com.