Will this do for now?

[slightlyhuman]

I'm moving back home and my parents are just about to move in their new house. They have an upstairs game room and told me I could put their 42" plasma up there. I thought about getting an xbox 360 and making an HTPC to put up there as well.

I have an old 5.1 Sony system and was wondering if it's ok to use for my first HTPC. I don't plan on being an extremists by any means but since I'll have a free plasma to my disposal I might as well have a little fun.

The system is about 8-10+ years old but works fine. The model is STR-D17. I have a dvd player I had connected to it at my old house with a pos apex TV.

here's some pics(although blurry) if it helps:

one
two

Will this receiver be ok until I get some extra cash to upgrade?

 

[Heisenberg]

If it works and does DD 5.1 what more do you need?

 

[slightlyhuman]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
If it works and does DD 5.1 what more do you need?

i'm guessing it does DD5.1? does that mean dolby digital?

i know nothing when it comes to home audio/video

 

[Kwaipie]

If you're not concerned about video switching or "sound fields" I think you're just fine. Eventually you'll want video switching, then it will be time to upgrade.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: DP

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
If it works and does DD 5.1 what more do you need?

i'm guessing it does DD5.1? does that mean dolby digital?

i know nothing when it comes to home audio/video

Yeah, I meant Dolby Digital. Now that I look at the pictures I don't see any digital inputs, but the big flare from the flash is blocking part of the back panel.

 

[slightlyhuman]

with the lack of DD, what does that exactly keep me from doing?

I just want a true 5.1 with it. i'm guessing since it doesn't have DD surround won't work with an xbox 360?

 

[Heisenberg]

You'll need a digital input to do Dolby Digital and get 5.1 surround from your 360, yes. You can still get normal stereo if you don't have a digital in though. Can you post a picture that doesn't have a washed out spot in the middle of the panel?

 

[Shawn]

All that thing can do is Pro Logic surround. It'll sound ok though.

 

[slightlyhuman]

sorry for the shitastic quality, this camera blows..

picture

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: DP
sorry for the shitastic quality, this camera blows..

picture

Ah, that's a bit better. It doesn't have any digital inputs, so as Shawn said all you'll be able to do is Pro Logic.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Here's a cheap one if you decide you want to get a more modern one with digital inputs so you can get true surround

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1985140&enterthread=y