RDC-7.1 Setup and Configuration
Configuring the audio and video sections was fairly straightforward. All of the audio and video I/O's are user assignable. Each input has priority settings for audio and video signaling along with auto detect. The most outstanding feature I found was the ability to assign surround modes for each input and source type independently!
For example, on the DVD input, I assigned PLIIx Movie mode for Dolby Digital Sources and PLIIx Music mode for DTS. If this doesn't work well for your particular disc you are using, don't sweat it. The remote control has a hot key for toggling through surround modes. You can store surround modes for two-channel sources of each input but not the particular type of mode like PLIIx Music or Movie. Thus if you find yourself switching between CD's and VHS movies, you will have to toggle the PLIIx mode you desire. I would have really liked the option of storing PLIIx modes for each input for two-channel sources, but I am unaware of any other processors that offer this kind of flexibility.
I was equally thrilled to have the ability of assigning different surround modes via the i.LINK interface for DVD-A and SACD. What a configuration dream come true for those wanting to tweak out their setting for all audio formats and inputs used! I only wish they provisioned independent PLIIx modes for 2CH sources like they did with multi-channel sources. This would have prevented me one extra keystroke (yes I know I am lazy) to toggle between PLIIx Music for CD's and PLIIx Movie mode for old VHS tapes.
IntelliVolume and More
Integra Research once again included their IntelliVolume feature that allows independent trim settings for each input. This feature is important when two different sources of significantly different signal levels are utilized in the same system. This ensures you won't get blasted out of your couch when switching between a music CD and your CableTV, for example. Another useful feature (especially if you have kids or estranged visitors frequenting your home theater room) is the ability to enable a max volume level setting as well as a stored power up volume setting. I can't tell you how many times a family member tried to operate my system while I wasn't present, couldn't get any sound, and figured the only cure was to keep pumping the volume up only later to happen on pressing the right input and getting scared out of their pants while almost blowing out a speaker, or in my case tripping a circuit breaker. Integra Research recognized this and made a fail safe option to prevent your system from self destruction caused by the neophytes attempting to operate something they shouldn't. This is the best solution short of electric shock treatment.
Each input has independent A/V Sync in 1ms step sizes, also relative delay for center, surround and surround backs ensuring you can resolve any lip-sync issues that may arise when using scaling and video processing capabilities of front projection systems.
Got Triggers?
One of the biggest
contentions I have with many of the receivers and processors on the market is
their anemic trigger system. Sure most of them have the standard 12V
trigger, but read the fine print. In most cases, they supply 12V to 20mA
or less. This is not enough current drive to operate most power centers and
motorized screens. Refreshingly, Integra Research supplies five (count
them 5) high current triggers with Zone A, 200mA, and Zones B-E of 100mA each.
Best of all, the triggers have configurable delay settings to help minimize
inrush current issues that can arise while simultaneously powering up many
power hungry devices such as power amplifiers, plasmas, etc. Integra
Research really did their homework here and I am sure many custom installers
are as delighted as myself about this.
Video Setup
Perhaps one of the coolest new features of the RDC-7.1 is its inclusion of HDMI video switching. The RDC-7.1 is one of a scarce few dedicated processors that offer this feature. Unfortunately the RDC-7.1's HDMI interface is only compliant to HDMI 1.0. HDMI 1.0 doesn't support multi-channel audio formats. Currently Denon has the only commercially available product line of HDMI 1.1 compliant receivers and DVD players via the latest Silicon Image chipsets, however others will eventually catch up. Considering the fact that HDMI 1.1 has yet to receive approval for digital transmission of SACD, i.LINK is still the only all inclusive digital interface for all digital media. Thus the best solution in this case is HDMI for video, i.LINK for audio.
Some important notes about HDMI (especially for computer folks):
You cannot connect display devices (such as presentation displays) that are NOT HDCP compliant. The result if you attempt this will be no picture. Don't even try it!
The RDC-7.1 does not support analog video upconversion to HDMI (a feature currently supported only by Denon's new AVR-4806 and soon upgrade to their AVR-5805). However, the RDC-7.1 does support Component Video Up Conversion so it's a good idea to use this feature when handling composite, s-video and component video connections.
I was mildly disappointed that the RDC-7.1 offered no I/P conversion, scaling or video processing. It also doesn't include Time Base Correction (TBC) circuitry which is very useful for the newer econo box VHS machines that no longer offer this as a standard feature. TBC will help video sync the signal for such instances. Flagship receivers from Denon and Yamaha offer these features and I am hopeful Integra Research will eventually come around with an upgrade module for this.
I found the HDMI video switching to work flawlessly. My only contention was not with the RDC-7.1, but with my Denon DVD-5900 that didn't incorporate a squeeze mode setting to properly play back 4:3 DVD material on 16:9 displays. It was a bit of a pain each time I viewed a 4:3 source on my 16:9 display to go into the user control menus to select the correct aspect ratio. I am hopeful that all new HDMI-enabled DVD players will offer an auto scaling feature to eliminate this inconvenience.
