My AVR (audio/video receiver) is acting up.
Of course, it's at least 10 years old at this point, and has had heavy use. So I knew it was just a matter of time before something like this happened. For a few weeks now, when I turn it on I get no audio output. I would turn it off then back on, then I would hear a click (assuming a relay) and get audio. But then that turned into having to turn it off and back on several times before I could get any audio. For the past week I've resorting to just leaving it on 24/7 so I wouldn't have to deal with it. So I figure there's a good chance it might die all together some time soon. And even if it doesn't, I'd rather not have to leave it on 24/7 forever. So...
I just bought a new AVR.
Well, factory reconditioned from Denon. But from what I've read, it's basically brand new. Of course, this put my down a rabbit hole for my AV setup. New AVRs don't seem to have component video anymore, save for the higher end models. But I'm just not willing to spend that much on one. Everything on my HDTV is mostly HDMI now, but I'm still utilizing component video for my Wii and PS2. For the cost of a higher end AVR that has component, I could get a cheaper AVR and a RetroTINK 5X-Pro. So, that's exactly what I did. My reasoning is that, sure, I could get the AVR with component now. My current HDTV can do 240p over component. But my HDTV is also 10+ years old (got it with the AVR) so I figure it's only a matter of time before it dies. And when it does inevitably die, the replacement TV will not likely do 240p or even have component inputs. So getting the cheaper AVR and then a RetroTINK is sort of future proofing my AV setup for when I ultimately get a new TV.
That said, I think I might sell my XRGB Framemeister now that I have (or will have) the RetroTINK.
I was thinking about posting a "gauging interest" thread for my Framemeister in the BST section, but I'm not quite ready yet. I figure I'll wait until I get the TINK in and had a chance to play with it before committing to selling the Framemeister. It will be kind of bitter sweet to let it go, I really had fun using it. Fun fact, I actually purchased it from a fellow Racketboy forum member about 7 or 8 years ago. I don't mean to be spammy (I could easily sell it on eBay) but I just think it would be awesome if I passed it on to another Racketboy regular!
Not looking forward to rewiring my AV setup.
My current setup was rewired from scratch back when I picked up the current AVR and HDTV, but it has evolved a lot since then. After adding and subtracting stuff over the years, all of the wires are just a tangled mess behind the TV stand. I kind of had an itch to rewire everything because of what a mess it has become, but I figured I'd wait until I get a new AVR to do that. Well, I guess that day has come. A younger version of me would find it fun, but I think it's more of a chore now LOL. The last time I did it, it took me the better part of a day to get it all done. When my new AVR comes in the mail, I think I'll just swap it in as-is for now, just to test it right away. Then I'll have to wait for a weekend so I can completely rewire it. It'll be nice to finally get the chance to do it though. I've been wanting to move a few things around, but I just haven't felt like dealing with the tangled mess it has become. So this will give me the chance to move some things around. Of course, it'll eventually become a tangled mess again. But at least it'll be nice for a while.