Need some quick advice on HT Receivers

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FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Need some advice here.

Just got a HDTV and upgraded cable TV to HD.
In my future I see a BluRay Player and a HT receiver to get surround. I'm still using a 2 ch setup with a good amplifier and good speakers.

From the cable box I use HDMI to the TV and will use HDMI for the BluRay too when I get that.
Now, the TV is a 40" Samsung (530 series) and the manual says that when using HDMI the digital output does not feed the data on to a receiver.
How is surround sound supposed to work with HDMI connections to the TV? Sounds like I need a HT receiver that can actually process the HDMI signal.
???
In the manual for the TV it says that in order to get surround sound I need to connect the digital output from the BluRay and Cable box to the digital inputs on a receiver and go from there.

Confusion to say the least. The cheapest HDMI capable receiver is in the $5-600 range. I was hoping to get a way with a $300 unit but that doesn't look promising.

What do I need? What would the easiest way to hook this up? ( 2 x HDMI sources, 1 x HDTV).
 
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PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Cheapest HDMI capable receiver is the Onkyo 606(at least I believe its the cheapest RECOMMENDED receiver) and its $350ish...depending on the deal you get.
 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,204
45
91
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
In the manual for the TV it says that in order to get surround sound I need to connect the digital output from the BluRay and Cable box to the digital inputs on a receiver and go from there.
Click to expand...

You can get an HDMI audio receiver like PurdueRy mentioned or do the above. What that means is that you'd send video (HDMI) to the TV and in addition to that, you'd send either digital optical (toslink) or digital coaxial to the receiver. That way the receiver would be getting audio only.

This wouldn't be a problem unless you want to get the new audio formats on your future blu-ray player. The best way to do this would be with a receiver with audio HDMI capabilities.

You mentioned a good amplifier. Do you want to use this in the future? If so, look for a receiver with pre-outs so you could continue to use this.
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Thanks! I'll check it out.

I forgot to say that I currently have a normal DVD player (6 yo Panasonic) hooked up with 2 ch stereo directly to the amplifier and component to the TV so I can listen to CDs without having the TV on (this is a reauirement for the future too when I ditch the standard DVD player). I also have A PC connected to the TV via D-Sub with the sound wired to the TV also in order to listen to Internet radio, MP3 and watching DivX media.

It's a lot to stufy for a n00b. :)
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
I have a 10 year old Rotel RA920 which is excellent for audio and it has a phono input for a turntable. Kind of nice to use and 'show off' the piece once in a while.

The upgrades I plan to do over time would be these: (in order of purchase)

1. BluRay player
2. HT Receiver
3. Two new rear wireless speakers to get a 4.0 sound setup. I'm not planning on going all out with Subs and Center channel as I think the two front speakers I have are capable of handling the task (at least for the low bass). They are old JBL TLX-8 speakers adn they shake the earth good enough for the lows as it is.
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Cheapest HDMI capable receiver is the Onkyo 606(at least I believe its the cheapest RECOMMENDED receiver) and its $350ish...depending on the deal you get.
Click to expand...

That one looks really nice and might fit the bill perfectly.
 
P

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
I have a 10 year old Rotel RA920 which is excellent for audio and it has a phono input for a turntable. Kind of nice to use and 'show off' the piece once in a while.

The upgrades I plan to do over time would be these: (in order of purchase)

1. BluRay player
2. HT Receiver
3. Two new rear wireless speakers to get a 4.0 sound setup. I'm not planning on going all out with Subs and Center channel as I think the two front speakers I have are capable of handling the task (at least for the low bass). They are old JBL TLX-8 speakers adn they shake the earth good enough for the lows as it is.
Click to expand...

A dedicated sub might be a better investment than you think. It's not just about the ability to reproduce low frequencies but also how well it can be done. I wouldn't suggest going for wireless rears either if at all possible. IMO its just as easy to run speaker cable as it is to hook speakers into an outlet which would be required if they were "wireless".

Center channel importance is up for debate but I wouldn't ride that off either. The center channel can really help with voices coming from the display source if your speakers don't image perfectly.
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
I will keep it in mind but the speakers I have sound tight even down low. The money goes to the other stuff first. A center might be good just to get the voices in the 'center'.

As for wireless I thought it look pretty cool but, sure I can hide wires and save a few $$$.

 
YOyoYOhowsDAjello

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,204
45
91
If you do get a center, it's going to be important to match it up to the speakers you already have, which might prove quite difficult.

If you got the 606, you wouldn't be able to use your amp since it lacks pre-outs.
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
I was going to say just that (matching the speakers). They are 20 years old by now.

This is the Onkyo we're talking about right?
http://www.onkyousa.com/model....606&class=Receiver&p=i

I can't imagine it sounding that bad really ;). Worst case I can make a switch for switching the fronts between the two units. That should also cover the need if I feel like using the turntable.
Even if it had pre-outs it still would require some extra stuff to switch the fron speakers between the HT and HiFi Amp.

Your help has been great.
 
P

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
I was going to say just that (matching the speakers). They are 20 years old by now.

This is the Onkyo we're talking about right?
http://www.onkyousa.com/model....606&class=Receiver&p=i

I can't imagine it sounding that bad really ;). Worst case I can make a switch for switching the fronts between the two units. That should also cover the need if I feel like using the turntable.
Even if it had pre-outs it still would require some extra stuff to switch the fron speakers between the HT and HiFi Amp.

Your help has been great.
Click to expand...

What is the impedance of your speakers?
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Oh I'm sure. They are easy to drive.
Checking the Manual for the 606 and it says it has a 'Zone 2' capability which means it can drive amps and speakers in a 2'nd room. It has a Zone 2 line out which connects to an amplifier in another room. In my case I can connect my old amp to that if I like to.
 
P

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
13,837
4
0
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Oh I'm sure. They are easy to drive.
Checking the Manual for the 606 and it says it has a 'Zone 2' capability which means it can drive amps and speakers in a 2'nd room. It has a Zone 2 line out which connects to an amplifier in another room. In my case I can connect my old amp to that if I like to.
Click to expand...

Yup or you can use the amplified outputs and run speaker wire.
 
Koing

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Oh I'm sure. They are easy to drive.
Checking the Manual for the 606 and it says it has a 'Zone 2' capability which means it can drive amps and speakers in a 2'nd room. It has a Zone 2 line out which connects to an amplifier in another room. In my case I can connect my old amp to that if I like to.
Click to expand...

Thats only for analoge connections btw

I tried to send my PS3 sound via hdmi somewhere else = no go :p

Koing
 
Specop 007

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
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0
Yamaha 663. Its got everything you'd need and frankly, its one damned nice receiver. :)
 
F

FrustratedUser

Lifer
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Cool.
It's in the future but now I know what to look for when I'm shopping. Shit got complicated in the last few years. ;)
 
Koing

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Cool.
It's in the future but now I know what to look for when I'm shopping. Shit got complicated in the last few years. ;)
Click to expand...

Indeed.

HDMI receivers that weren't passing audio, and the other weird stuff...

It's a lot easier now. I have the Onkyo 606. I like it a lot so far but it isn't as if I have a lot of things to compare it to though :p

Koing
 
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