What can I expect for integrating my HTPC with a home theater system?

[BonzaiDuck]

I've depended mostly on my HTPC (or HTPC capabilities of my computers) for the last decade.

Against the advice of some, my current over-clocked Sandy Bridge system does double-duty as an HTPC. For speakers, I have a five-year-old Logitech 5.1 speaker system. I recently made my first television purchase in 20 years -- an LG 42" HDTV. I ran a DVI-to-HDMI cable from the computer to the TV -- wonderful.

My old stereo system includes some parts that are between 20 and 30 years old. I acquired the Onkyo receiver around 1994. Even the DVD player is older than five or six years.

I see that I can purchase a 5.1 or 7.1 A/V receiver for as little as $250. Re-examining speaker systems, it looks as though I would have to buy a "5.1 home theater speaker system" for it. Or -- buy a bundled match of receiver and speakers.

I can see where I might run the HDMI cable to such a receiver, and then run another HDMI-to-HDMI cable to the TV.

What sort of troubles might I encounter? Would the current LG driver and PC still recognize the LG TV?

 

[Anteaus]

If you buy a proper A/V receiver with HDMI ports you shouldn't have any problems. Those receivers are designed to do exactly what you are describing. I'd look for something that supports at least HDMI version 1.4.

You didn't talk about your video card, but there is a chance it might not support HDCP which means you won't be able to watch blu-ray movies on your HTPC. Just because you have an HDMI output doesn't automatically mean you have HDCP. Just something to be aware of. This is if you have an actual HDMI output on your PC.

If your going from DVI to HDMI you won't have audio. If this is the case, you might want to look at a new GPU that will actually do both audio and video via HDMI.

 

[0roo0roo]

i'd suggest you save up for something better, its a mismatch to buy a 250 dollar av receiver and spend who knows how much on speakers for a 42" tv, a 42" with old speakers...it doesn't matter. you shouldn't upgrade yet, your parts kinda match each other in terms of performance now.

save up for a larger display first, then cobble together a sound system.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Anteaus -- I don't anticipate any problems with the graphics card -- it's a GTX 570 -- all HDCP-compliant. I would worry that the proposed A/V receiver would "do something" to up-end the compliancy, but your last post seems to indicate otherwise if I make careful choices.

The GTX 570 has an HDMI port. I had previously configured the system with a DVI-to-HDMI cable for a 1080p monitor I was using instead of the LG TV (the cable came with the monitor, and I bought a longer version of DVI-to-HDMI.)

I had noticed the nVidia sound drivers configured under Control Panel, and realized that I'd get sound with video if it weren't for the cable. But I already had the Logitech 5.1 system working fine plugged in to the PC's sound ports.

But that's what spurred me to begin investigating a "home theater A/V receiver" setup.

OrooOroo is also correct: For "need" versus "want," there isn't any urgency. The other drawback: every time I want to watch TV, I'd have to switch on the home-theater system. Right now, it only requires the computer.

I leave the TV on 24/7 except when leaving the house. The LG has this power-saving feature, so I can switch off the display, while the broadcast's sound continues.

My electric bill has dropped by $20 to $50/mo after I built the Sandy Bridge and added the LG TV. We also did some other things to save power, but this seems to be a major power-saving component. Adding an AV receiver and speakers might reverse some of the savings, and I'm not sure how much.

As for 24-hour-TV . . . I have an abnormal, undisciplined sleep schedule. Like Peter Sellers said in "Being There:" "I like to watch . . . . "

 

[weez82]

I've depended mostly on my HTPC (or HTPC capabilities of my computers) for the last decade.

Against the advice of some, my current over-clocked Sandy Bridge system does double-duty as an HTPC. For speakers, I have a five-year-old Logitech 5.1 speaker system. I recently made my first television purchase in 20 years -- an LG 42" HDTV. I ran a DVI-to-HDMI cable from the computer to the TV -- wonderful.

My old stereo system includes some parts that are between 20 and 30 years old. I acquired the Onkyo receiver around 1994. Even the DVD player is older than five or six years.

I see that I can purchase a 5.1 or 7.1 A/V receiver for as little as $250. Re-examining speaker systems, it looks as though I would have to buy a "5.1 home theater speaker system" for it. Or -- buy a bundled match of receiver and speakers.

I can see where I might run the HDMI cable to such a receiver, and then run another HDMI-to-HDMI cable to the TV.

What sort of troubles might I encounter? Would the current LG driver and PC still recognize the LG TV?

If you want to get the most out of your setup then get a new receiver and speakers. But if you're happy with the sound setup you have now then dont bother. You can also use hdmi out from the video card to the tv to get sound for the times you dont want to use your logitechs or old onkyo system.

i'd suggest you save up for something better, its a mismatch to buy a 250 dollar av receiver and spend who knows how much on speakers for a 42" tv, a 42" with old speakers...it doesn't matter. you shouldn't upgrade yet, your parts kinda match each other in terms of performance now.

save up for a larger display first, then cobble together a sound system.

worst advise i've seen in a long time. Sense when does a TV need to match the sound system? This is the first time I've seen anyone post that, lol. 42" is plenty big. No one needs to wait for a 50"+ to get a nice sound system

 

[0roo0roo]

worst advise i've seen in a long time. Sense when does a TV need to match the sound system? This is the first time I've seen anyone post that, lol. 42" is plenty big. No one needs to wait for a 50"+ to get a nice sound system

really?

i gauged his willingness to spend based on his post, either he doesn't want to spend or doesn't have the money. in either case, spending a lot of money on a lop sided system is unwise.

42" from 6 feet back is tiny.

2.35 film from that distance is small, not cinematic, and spending hundreds on a sound system isn't going to change that fact.

 

[weez82]

really?

i gauged his willingness to spend based on his post, either he doesn't want to spend or doesn't have the money. in either case, spending a lot of money on a lop sided system is unwise.

42" from 6 feet back is tiny.

2.35 film from that distance is small, not cinematic, and spending hundreds on a sound system isn't going to change that fact.

And I too gauged his willingness to spend based on his post. He sounds like he doesnt want to spend the coin for whatever reason. And I said if he likes what he has then dont bother upgrading. But I also tell it how it is. If he wants to get the most out of his setup then getting a newer receiver and speakers are the way to go be it 2.0 2.1 or 5.1. Maybe he cant afford them now but it gives him something to think about for later down the road. Im not going to say something dumb like a sound system is a waste on a 42" tv. Because anyone can enjoy the benefits of a decent system. It's part of the audio/video experience. I fail to understand how having a 42" tv and getting a sound system is lop sided.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

And I too gauged his willingness to spend based on his post. He sounds like he doesnt want to spend the coin for whatever reason. And I said if he likes what he has then dont bother upgrading. But I also tell it how it is. If he wants to get the most out of his setup then getting a newer receiver and speakers are the way to go be it 2.0 2.1 or 5.1. Maybe he cant afford them now but it gives him something to think about for later down the road. Im not going to say something dumb like a sound system is a waste on a 42" tv. Because anyone can enjoy the benefits of a decent system. It's part of the audio/video experience. I fail to understand how having a 42" tv and getting a sound system is lop sided.

The room is about 16'x20' -- the couch facing the TV across the 16' expanse at a distance more like 8' to 10'. It's also a "busy" room. I simply decided that anything greater than 42" is just too big for any room in the house.

I see where resellers seem to inventory and promote larger and larger HDTVs. Maybe -- people have larger rooms . . . and they don't have bookshelves on the walls, or paintings, etc. My bro in a nearby town has a Hitachi HDTV he bought maybe ten years ago -- a monster "projector" design -- major cabinetry. My picture is at least as big as his 50" 4:3 screen.

I don't get it. I can understand that bigger is better, but too big for me is . . .. "too big for me . . . "

Meanwhile, any upgrade to the old stereo system will be "mid-range." I'm looking at some ONKYO receivers, 5.1 speaker sets and bundled "home theater systems." I can -- and probably will -- wait until next year to do it if I choose . . . . but I'll revisit the mere question of it then.

Your information has been invaluable . . . in any case.

 

[0roo0roo]

mounted on the wall big isn't that big anymore. the projectors took up a huge volume of space no matter how thin they made them.

its just a fact of nature that a 2.35 aspect film on a 42" will be only about 15" tall, and then its just a tiny strip of image in your vision from far back.

basically a much larger tv will not impose on the room as much as any projector tv of the past would, they are so thin now that they just blend in.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I can see where I might run the HDMI cable to such a receiver, and then run another HDMI-to-HDMI cable to the TV.

In regards to this, that will work just fine. My HTPC has a radeon 6850 with an HDMI out that also does sound.

I run a HDMI to the receiver "DVD" input, then from the HDMI out on the receiver to a projector .... sound and video are both fantastic.
*Note my HDMI coming out of the HTPC is split, the other end runs to a receiver in an upstairs living room - then to a 55" LED tv... so I can access and watch all the HTPC contect from either room.*

HTPC --HDMI--> Receiver --HDMI--> TV will work just fine.

I see that I can purchase a 5.1 or 7.1 A/V receiver for as little as $250.

Based on what you've said, I would go this route. NewEgg has been running a great deal now and then on a Pioneer V721 (I think thats the model) for like $160. It has 4-HDMI ins, 5.1 with dolby, and for the money is really tough to beat. I picked one up for our outdoor theater setup and it is amazing. I suggest you just get a receiver and put the speakers in piece by piece as you good/find deals.

 

[kdubbs]

OP, what percentage of time do you watch movies & TV vs. listen to music? If you're a music person, I'd recommend spending whatever you were budgeting for speakers on the best 2 channel setup you can afford. After messing with HT stuff for over a decade, I find that the best sound is almost always created by a quality 2 channel setup, though a sub may be required if you're a fan of action films.

Another thing to consider is that sound quality is one of the few tech products that doesn't necessarily improve with time. Your old onkyo may lack the latest and greatest DD/DTS decoding, but for 2 channel audio, it may actually be better than a $160 brand new pioneer. My 10 year old pioneer elite ($600) crushes my new onkyo 7.1 ($350) for stereo listening.

Newegg frequently has good deals on small Polk tower speakers. Consider picking those up and see how they do vs. your logitech 5.1 system with your current receiver. You can always add a sub and voice-matched center and surrounds later. I personally love the incremental upgrade path as you always have something to look forward to.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Another thing to consider is that sound quality is one of the few tech products that doesn't necessarily improve with time. Your old onkyo may lack the latest and greatest DD/DTS decoding, but for 2 channel audio, it may actually be better than a $160 brand new pioneer. My 10 year old pioneer elite ($600) crushes my new onkyo 7.1 ($350) for stereo listening.

That is because your 10 year old pioneer elite spent $400-500 on dealing just with the audio, where-as the new $350 onkyo spent maybe $50 since the bulk of the cost is now dealing with video and not audio. The older A/V receivers basically only needed simple A/B/C selector MUX's to switch between multiple component, composite, or S-video inputs. Dealing with the new HDMI interface requires having a certified device, using trusted encryption methods, having proper device ID tagging for revoking keys/devices, handshaking between source-the receiver/pre-processor-the display, etc....

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I had a question I was going to post on this forum, and after a week or so of absence I find this thread has grown.

About many things -- we have two voices speaking to us in our heads -- you know, the angel on one shoulder, the horns and hoofs on the other side . . .

I had almost settled on saving the decisions and purchase until next year -- as I said earlier.

I paired a set of JBL 5.1 HT speakers with an ONKYO TX-NR616 receiver. The JBLs -- after looking at Klipsch and some other schlock -- seemed like "Soch-ah-Deee-uulll!"

Whether you like my setup or my budget or . . . whatever . . . -- I'm going to find out about this in maybe a week when the delivery trucks arrive . . .

I might have spent less on an Onkyo TX-NR515, or even the NR414. And -- THX is just a standard and testing methodology -- not a "technology." But comparing those to the NR616 and last year's NR609, It seemed like the better choice even for some extra ducats spent.

As to some questions or issues posed by you very informative folks here -- sure, I love music [and maybe have (or had) near-perfect pitch]. But thinking of how we replaced an old RCA portable-monaural record-changer with some JBLs and a Harmon-Kardon around 1962, and thinking about how far we've come since then . . . . and thinking about the size of this room or how I've got the house wired with gigabit Ethernet . . . and several other things . . . It's all a "trade-off." The energy costs are important to me over the long-run, even as having various model-features in the A/V receiver are important over the long-run.

But this -- barring difficulties -- should do what I want. I can KEEP my operational Logitech Z640 5.1's; the Onkyo has a "Hybrid-Standby" or HDMI pass-through with something like a single watt of power-consumption, and I can probably run the sound through either the Logitech PC 5.1's or the NR616, and I can keep the NR616 in standby and turned off while then playing through the HDTV speakers.

And the price-paid and payment arrangements allow me to stay on track with the next year's spending, saving, and globally sustainable benevolent happiness and bliss-consciousness. . . . [ . . . . . . ]