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Home audio & video: home theater
home theater
by timbo24 - 7/8/07 9:04 PMHey im looking to purchase a new tv and htib
ive decided on the vizio 32" lcd hdtv
but for the htib ive been looking at the aony BRAVIA hdx500
any thoughts?
im looking to hook up my XBOX 360, hd cable box, dvd player(included in the hdx500), and ps2.
i could use some help with how i would hook all that up with surround sound, and what cables i would need.
\thanks, michael
Connectivity is paramount.
by Brolix - 7/8/07 10:07 PM In reply to: home theater by timbo24If you're looking to hook up all those components with surround sound, the sony system is not the right system to purchase. It only has one optical input and one coaxial input. You would need a system with at least three digital optical inputs. The following is a run-down of what you would need for each component:
Xbox 360 : Component connectors(included)and a digital optical audio cable(for surround sound)
Ps2: component connectors(purchased separately)and a digital optical audio cable(again, for surround sound)
HD Cable Box: you can choose between component video cables and HDMI cables [although older models might have dvi conectors]. Since the sony system only has HDMI OUT, you will need to use a digital optical cable to get surround sound--regardless of which Video Cable you choose(HDMI or Component Video).
Now, if you still decide on the sony system(you'll eliminate the surround-sound possibilities on two of your three components), you will definitely want to purcahse an HDMI cable to go from the system's HDMI output to your TV's HDMI input. If you want surround from the Xbox360, PS2 AND HD Cable box, you will want a system that comes with three digital optical inputs.
I strongly suggest the Onkyo HT-S790; I can tell you--as an owner of that system myself--that it is powerful; almost as powerful as the tower speaker system i have in the living room. its just a suggestion...research around for a system, but the sonyhdx 500 is not the one for you if you want all three of your devices connected.
by the way, the link to CNET's review of the Onkyo system i mentioned above is right here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-in-a/onkyo-ht-s790-black/4505-6740_7-31930511.html?tag=prod.txt.1
Hope this was of some help
Matt B.
thanks
by timbo24 - 7/8/07 10:27 PM In reply to: Connectivity is paramount. by Brolixthanks
you saved me from making a terrible purchase
i searched the s790 and i believe its been discontinued...
what do you know about the sr800, also by onkyo?
surround sound from the ps2 is not pertinent, but it is necessary from the 360 and cable box.
thanks
good system
by Brolix - 7/9/07 12:58 AM In reply to: thanks by timbo24You're Welcome, always glad to help.
The SR800 is the update to the HT-S790; i would expect the sound quality to be identical--if not better. With that model, you can definitely hook up the Xbox360 and the HD cable box completely to the system. Since there are only two digital optical inputs, the Ps2 might be in stereo(but u can use the "all channel stereo" setting to push sound out of all 7 speakers simultaneously).
Does your HD-cable box have a "digital coaxial out" jack?(it's a circular orange jack). if it does, then you can have all three in surround sound by hooking up ps2 and 360 via digital optical cables, while the hd cable box would be hooked up via the digital coaxial cable. If it doesn't, then the ps2 will be in stereo, but honestly, once you see the 360 in HD, you might not play the PS2 very often.
What's great about the HT-SR800 is that the component connectors of the 360, ps2, and the cable box can all be plugged into the system's receiver, and the receiver sends everything to the TV through one cable. Think of it as a funnel....many cables on one end, but only one cable comes out and into the TV.
Any questions, let me know.
Matt-B.
sounds good
by timbo24 - 7/9/07 5:57 AM In reply to: good system by BrolixThanks for the info the HT-SR800 sound like a good purchase.
I'm not sure what output the hd cable box will have as i am purchasing this tv and HTIB for my bedroom, and i will need the cable guy to come and bring a box.
I have seen the 360 in HD, and yes, it is stunning. But i would like to move it from the "family" Panasonic 37" hd plasma, into my bedroom.
If I connect the cable box to the reciever using hdmi, can i get surround sound w/o optical or coxial(?)
or would it be better to run hdmi straight to the tv and an optical cable to the reciever?
thanks
maybe
by Brolix - 7/9/07 1:37 PM In reply to: sounds good by timbo24HMMMMM, Some receivers accept multi-channel audio via HDMI in addition to the video, some of them don't. I don't think the sr800 can accept the multi-channel audio via hdmi--it might be video passthrough only; however, i could be wrong. The HDMI doesn't have to go straight to the t.v. because there are two HDMI inputs on the back of the system. you can, however, still run it to the television if you want to.
Whichever one you choose to do, the video quality will remain stellar. Optical audio for the cable box seems to be the safest bet, but you can still test out audio via hdmi to see if it works.
Matt-B
good advice
by timbo24 - 7/9/07 2:36 PM In reply to: maybe by BrolixThanks for the good advice, you've been a huge help in my decision making.
I have to re-paint my room and buy new furniture but i will probably order everything by sunday.
After i have set it up (or while im setting it up, but hopefully i wont need help) i will repost with how it looks/sounds.
Thanks, Michael
Excellent!
by Brolix - 7/9/07 4:55 PM In reply to: good advice by timbo24hey, no problem. I'm glad i could help. I am looking forward to hearing how you like the system. You won't be disappointed. [Oh, and i don't think it comes with this..but,if it comes with Audessey speaker calibration, don't bother using it. It will significantly mitigate the "oomph" on the xbox 360's sound.]
Enjoy!
Matt B.
HT SR-800 setup in layman's terms
by Soccerfan008 - 7/10/07 12:51 PM In reply to: Excellent! by BrolixI have a quick question on how to set up my system. I have the Onkyo HT SR-800 and wanted to run both my XBOX 360 and PS3 through the Receiver on the SR-800. What connections would I need specifically? Based on what I've read it looks like an HDMI AND Fiber optic from the XBOX/PS3 to the receiver and then just one HDMI to the TV or am I missing something here?
It might be all u need....key word: might
by Brolix - 7/10/07 8:50 PM In reply to: HT SR-800 setup in layman's terms by Soccerfan008well, if you have the xbox 360 elite.....then Two HDMI cables and two fiber optic(digital optical) cables are all you'd need. If you have the Premium of the Core 360 system, you're only choice would be the component cables(included w/premium package; a separate purchase w/ core package) with the optical cable.
Come to think of it, Check the manual to make sure the receiver upconverts analog video. If it does not, you'll actually need one component and one HDMI going to the t.v. from the receiver(in which case, you might want to skip plugging the video cords into the receiver altogether because you'd need two of each cable). Let me know if it up converts analog audio because the video advice i previously gave is based on the assumption that it does(it should). i can't find the upconverting information online. Let me know.
Matt B.
correction
by Brolix - 7/11/07 9:45 PM In reply to: It might be all u need....key word: might by Brolixcorrection to my last post...i meant "see if it up converts analog VIDEO"(component video cables to be precise). i definitely did not mean "see if it up converts analog AUDIO."
Matt B.
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