For some years now I have had a 7.2 system setup with both a plasma TV and overhead projector. I use a Marantz 5005 (from Outlaw) as a preamp and an Outlaw 770 amp powering 7 speakers plus 2 SVS sub woofers.

I have TIVO for regular TV and a Panasonic BD player that has two hdmi outputs-one for video and one for audio. I found that by going direct to the overhead projector through a 35 foot hdmi cable I eliminated hand shaking problems. The TIVO had an hdmi output that went to the plasma and a component output that went to the overhead projector. There was also optical cable output that went to the Marantz for audio.

The system worked well for a number of years until my TIVO HD went bad and I upgraded to the TIVO Bolt. Unfortunately it only has an hdmi output (and an optical audio) but no component. To see TV or streaming on my overhead projector I now have to physically switch the hdmi output to either the projector or my plasma.

I am now considering the 976 as a solution but will it work? I not only get updated technology but with two hdmi outputs I can run one to my plasma and one to my projector.

Can I connect both hdmi outputs from my bluray player (one video and one audio) to the 976 and play the output on either my projector or plasma? Can the input from the TIVO play on either the plasma or the projector (not usually at the same time). Will there be hand shaking issues with the projector because now I will be going through the 976 and not directly from the bluray player?

I hope the above is somewhat clear. Thanks.

JohnF

From the lack of response (and lack of traffic on the topic of the 976) as well as the lack of traffic at the AVS forum on this pre-amp can one conclude that Outlaw is coming out with a replacement and/or there is not much interest. There also are too few reviws of this product in my opinion.

JohnF

I agree that the 976 is not getting the press that it deserves.
It is a great processor but all anyone is talking about is Atmos processors so this little 7.1 unit is ignored which is a shame.
For those of us that will probably never have a 9.1.4 system this unit is perfect!!!!!!!!

I have used Outlaw products in the past (the 950 and the 770) as well as purchasing the Marantz 5005 as an updated pre-amp to trplsvr the 950 and found the products more than satisfactory and the support stellar. I also have no need of atmos so on paper the 976 should fulfill my needs providing the answers to my questions are in the affirmative. Perhaps I should call Outlaw directly.

JohnF

Calling them directly can be a bit difficult because they have an automated phone system.
When the system answers the phone just pick an option and then you should be able to get a human on the line and then they can direct you to Ben.
He is very knowledgeable and is always willing to help.

Hey John,

Open up a support ticket at support.outlawaudio.com and provide the model numbers of your equipment. If you know their HDMI and HDCP versions, include them as well as that would be helpful. Then give us some time to see what we can find out about your gear.

Thanks for your response. I am not sure if I want to spend almost $1,000 just to see if the 976 solves my problem. I am going to closely look at the manual for the 976, especially the video pass through.

John

I looked at the 976 manual and on page 20 I lifted the following quotes concerning video hookups:

"Using two displays simultaneously will limit hdmi output to 1080p."

The second quote:

HDMI
If you want to connect a second display to the
Model 976, the HDMI Out 2 output can be connected to an HDMI input. The on-screen menu and UHD sources will not be available, but any
other sources will be passed through to this display.

From the quotes above any source can go to either of the two displays (in my case a plasma TV or overhead projector neither of which are uhd)). Am I reading this correctly? Thanks.

John

@Jefny I just went from my old Outlaw 990 to the 976 and I LOVE it!!! I have an Oppo UDP 203 that I run direct to my PJ and I run the audio direct through the 976 Auxilary. All my other components including my Tivo Bolt, HD-DVD player (Yeah I still have one.), and a PS4. So far it works perfectly. I don't know how good your Marrantz is but I'm very happy with my 976.

My Marantz must be 8 years old-a lifetime for electronics-so the Outlaw has to be an improvement even if I use it the way I use my Marantz-my Panasonic BD player connected directly to my projector.

I have 2 video devices but sometimes I like to play the Bolt onto the overhead projector for stuff like the superbowl (if we ever have one again). As I said before, there doesn't seem to be too much interest in the 976.

Of course if I get it, my Marantz will be stored in my basement next to my Outlaw 950, an older receiver and several old TIVO's-kind of an old electronics graveyard