AV Receiver Reviews

Rotel RSX-1560 A/V Receiver Video Test Bench

Video Test Bench

The Rotel will upconvert analog inputs to an HDMI output. However, it won’t process incoming HDMI signals; it merely passes them through without degradation. The same goes for component in to component out—no upconversion, just passthrough. The Digital test results in the table are the only ones that are applicable in this situation: a 1080p HDMI input and a 1080p HDMI output.

The analog luma resolution was particularly poor. The second highest frequency HD burst pattern (18 megahertz) had a reduced output, and the highest (37.1 MHz) indicated no visible output at all. Other HD test patterns, analog in to HDMI out, were clearly softened as well. There was also noticeable added edge enhancement to lines in a sharpness pattern with a 1080i component input to a 1080p HDMI output. I don’t recommend using the Rotel’s video switching to cross-convert important component sources. (The component in to component out HD resolution was good.)—TJN

COMMENTS
Stephen Trask's picture
Submitted by Stephen Trask on August 8, 2011 - 12:02pm

What is the shelf life of "Top Pick" status on an item such as this? The review itself is not that old and the product is still current and yet it's specs seem borderline obsolete. Is the sound that good that it is in any way a better pick over the Marantz? Is the history of build quality with Rotel units so much better then Integra or other lower price competitors? And what of the Anthem receivers?

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