Home Theater Qs....

[Shyatic]

Okay, I'm planning on putting together a nice home theater system.. 50" plasma, with reciever and 5.1 (or 7.1?dunno...) surround.

My question is pretty easy... I am mounting the TV on the wall, so what cables do I need to route through the wall to the reciver? I am buying a reciever with HDMI output... so is that all I need to run? I figure that if I add a DVD player to that mix, then I can plug it into the reciver, using maybe component or something, and not worry about any extra cables to the TV.

Am I right? Explain if you can 🙂

 

[MrChad]

It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Yes, if you get a receiver with HDMI switching, you can connect your sources (cable, DVD, etc.) to the receiver and just run the one HDMI cable to the TV.

I personally prefer to run my sources straight to the TV with no middleman, but I guess if the receiver is just a pass-through, it won't degrade the signal at all.
One thing about it, the receiver will probably switch inputs a lot quicker than the TV would.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

 

[FilmCamera]

Power cable and HDMI. Also any alternate inputs that you may want to use to say plug a video camera in or something. Depends on what you want to do.

If your receiver will convert all inputs to HDMI output then all you need is the power and HDMI.

 

[FilmCamera]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

A receiver with multiple HDMI inputs is going to cost quite a lot.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

What's your budget?

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

What's your budget?

Dunno... 500-1000 on the reciever.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Yes, if you get a receiver with HDMI switching, you can connect your sources (cable, DVD, etc.) to the receiver and just run the one HDMI cable to the TV.

I personally prefer to run my sources straight to the TV with no middleman, but I guess if the receiver is just a pass-through, it won't degrade the signal at all.
One thing about it, the receiver will probably switch inputs a lot quicker than the TV would.

HDMI switching will not get you HDMI output from non HDMI sources. You'd need a receiver that can do HDMI conversion if you only want to run a single cable.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

What's your budget?

Dunno... 500-1000 on the reciever.

You might want to do roughly

2:1:1 On Speakers:Receiver:Sub for spending.

What's your total sound budget?

 

[FilmCamera]

Once you get all your stuff setup, I highly recommend this:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr...822279-7051848?ie=UTF8&asin=B000BDG3HU

I have one and it works great. All you to to setup the thing is load the software, type in the model numbers of your equipment, tell it how you want it to do things, plug in the USB and update the remote. It works extremely well. It can also learn commands from remotes if for some reason your device isn't supported, but it supported some older stuff and strange stuff that I had just fine.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

What's your budget?

Dunno... 500-1000 on the reciever.

You might want to do roughly

2:1:1 On Speakers:Receiver:Sub for spending.

What's your total sound budget?

Don't know yet... I am not in the mood to drop more than 3k for the entire project (TV, speakers, reciever, etc). I get Panasonic plasmas for 40% off retail, so... yea 🙂

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

What's your budget?

Dunno... 500-1000 on the reciever.

You might want to do roughly

2:1:1 On Speakers:Receiver:Sub for spending.

What's your total sound budget?

Don't know yet... I am not in the mood to drop more than 3k for the entire project (TV, speakers, reciever, etc). I get Panasonic plasmas for 40% off retail, so... yea 🙂

Well if 3K is your whole budget, I would say $1k is too much on the receiver. I spent more on my audio than video, but most people go the other way around.

Even if you go 50/50 and have a $1500 sound budget, $500 would be pushing it imo for receiver. I don't think I'd go any higher than that even if it meant running one more set of wires (a component cable) up to the TV.

You can get a pretty decent 5.1 system for around $1000 leaving you enough cash to get an HDMI switching receiver. You might be able to find an upconverting one for that price as well.

 

[Fiat1]

Yamaha RX-V2700 HDMI switching and up converts video, s-video, and component to 1080i
Pass through on HDMI 140w p/c T.V $1,999.00 TH-50px60u at CC black Friday 2700 @ J&R 31% off retail.

 

[Syrch]

without reading what everyone is writting this is the best bet. Go out and buy a HDMI, DVI, VGA, Composite and S-Video cable. Then go to the hardware store and buy about 6 feed of PCV pipe with elbow ends. Run all wires through the wall and connect to your TV. This way if you ever need any of the connections they are there. Safiest easiest bet. Other than that it really is going to depend on your gear and how you want it set up. The pipe makes fishing the wires through much cleaner and easier.

One concern you might have it re-enforcing the wall to hold the plasma.

As far as your 5.1 or 7.1 idea. If your room is no bigger than a bedroom you will not benefit with a 7.1 set up. Sure if you are sitting on the couch/chair with the 6th and 7th speaker next to your head you will hear the speakers but your room is too small for you to benefit from a set up.

Also need your total budget to give you good idea on speakers and what not but look at this site....http://www.axiomaudio.com/products.html they also have a Home Theater wizard that gives you a good idea what set/size/amount of speakers you need.

 

[crystal]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: MrChad
It depends on the receiver. Some receivers have the ability to transcode all video inputs into a single output signal. Others do not. If you want that ability, be certain to research that feature of the receivers you demo.

Anything you can recommend that fits the bill? I don't mind spending a few bucks extra, but I also don't want the "professional" type reciever... I don't need it 🙂

What's your budget?

Dunno... 500-1000 on the reciever.

You might want to do roughly

2:1:1 On Speakers:Receiver:Sub for spending.

What's your total sound budget?

Don't know yet... I am not in the mood to drop more than 3k for the entire project (TV, speakers, reciever, etc). I get Panasonic plasmas for 40% off retail, so... yea 🙂

How much do you got left after you spend on that 50" plasmas? About $1000 left? You might be able to get a good HT in a box. Since the receiver might not have HDMI, just run it directly from your source to tv and let the receiver handles the audio.

 

[Syrch]

Originally posted by: FilmCamera
Once you get all your stuff setup, I highly recommend this:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr...822279-7051848?ie=UTF8&asin=B000BDG3HU

I have one and it works great. All you to to setup the thing is load the software, type in the model numbers of your equipment, tell it how you want it to do things, plug in the USB and update the remote. It works extremely well. It can also learn commands from remotes if for some reason your device isn't supported, but it supported some older stuff and strange stuff that I had just fine.

These are VERY nice remotes but if you are a computer geek and love to have stuff to always do and work on you might want to try a pronto later on down the road. I love learning how to program it and doing editing on it. I'd still be doing so if F'in robbers didn't break into my house and steal it!

 

[LegendKiller]

I just bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS for it's HDMI conversion. I was able to talk BBY down $300 off of their normal price, which is $1,199, also getting 2yr free financing (if I can spend their money for free, why spend mine?).

Having not properly calibrated the receiver yet, I can say that it's fricking awesome. I have watched a couple movies and I love it. I still need to calibrate the speakers to the room (MCACC is the best reviewed automatic calibration out, better than Yamaha's YAO or whatever).

I haven't tried the HDMI conversion/switching yet, since I need cables and such, but I hear it's pretty good.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Scribe
Okay, I'm planning on putting together a nice home theater system.. 50" plasma, with reciever and 5.1 (or 7.1?dunno...) surround.

My question is pretty easy... I am mounting the TV on the wall, so what cables do I need to route through the wall to the reciver? I am buying a reciever with HDMI output... so is that all I need to run? I figure that if I add a DVD player to that mix, then I can plug it into the reciver, using maybe component or something, and not worry about any extra cables to the TV.

Am I right? Explain if you can 🙂

Yes you are right. All sight and sound goes to the receiver. Only sight needs to be pushed to the TV - you can do this through an HDMI cable.

 

[Garet Jax]

When I bought mine, all HDMI switching receivers were at least 800 bucks. This was two months ago.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Syrch
without reading what everyone is writting this is the best bet. Go out and buy a HDMI, DVI, VGA, Composite and S-Video cable. Then go to the hardware store and buy about 6 feed of PCV pipe with elbow ends. Run all wires through the wall and connect to your TV. This way if you ever need any of the connections they are there. Safiest easiest bet. Other than that it really is going to depend on your gear and how you want it set up. The pipe makes fishing the wires through much cleaner and easier.

One concern you might have it re-enforcing the wall to hold the plasma.

As far as your 5.1 or 7.1 idea. If your room is no bigger than a bedroom you will not benefit with a 7.1 set up. Sure if you are sitting on the couch/chair with the 6th and 7th speaker next to your head you will hear the speakers but your room is too small for you to benefit from a set up.

Also need your total budget to give you good idea on speakers and what not but look at this site....http://www.axiomaudio.com/products.html they also have a Home Theater wizard that gives you a good idea what set/size/amount of speakers you need.

I couldn't agree more. Run every type of video cable their is and put it in a pipe with a pull cord in it. Do it right the first time.

 

[Fingolfin269]

SVS sub is my contribution to your thread. 😛

 

[Mermaidman]

Being a lazy ass, I have a question regarding the setups mentioned above--Does it mean that to watch TV and get sound, you'll have to turn on receiver too?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman
Being a lazy ass, I have a question regarding the setups mentioned above--Does it mean that to watch TV and get sound, you'll have to turn on receiver too?

Which setups do you mean?

If "TV" video is being run through the reciever, you need to have it on to get video. If you have "real" speakers hooked up, then you need it to get audio too.

If you're just going from like the internal tuner in the TV to watch stuff, you'll have the choice of listening to speakers integrated into your TV (if it has them), or you can use the receiver for your "real" speakers. That means you'll have to have an audio cable going from the TV to the receiver (depending on what kind of TV you have that could vary for what kind you need).

 

[Quasmo]

$574