Home Theater System take 2

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minimoke

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#302373 26-Feb-2010 08:19

Torquenstein:
Does it matter that the reciever is only 720p/1080i capable?

Probably not. Your TV has built in freeview which has TV1/2 in 720p and TV3 in 1080i so you are safe there. I'm not sure how you'd get 5.1 sound out of the TV to the amp though. Check the Manual to see how its done and that the onkyo has enaough inputs to take the audio - it more than likely does.

As for the PS3 you should be fine. Take an HDMI video cable out the back of it straight to the TV (that keeps your 1080p) and Audio from the PS3 to the amp would be through an optical cable for 5.1 - so make sure the Onkyo has an Optical In.

So you need to check the Amp you get has enough audio inputs to take the 5.1 from your PS3 and 5.1 from your TVand you are done.

Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#302398 26-Feb-2010 09:35

Can you do the same optical sound thing with the xbox 360, or dont bother with trying to get 1080p with it, I think I want to use the 360 as my media centre as its nicer using windows media centre than PS3 media server?

I will be going in this evening to have a look at it in wgtn. Hopefully it has all the inputs I need.

Im assuming the kit from JB wont come with any extra cables etc.

redjet

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#302410 26-Feb-2010 10:35

I think you'd be mad not to go with an amp that does 1080p. My Yamaha RX-V465 does 1080p and has plenty of inputs. I would also ask the salesperson at JB's about the benefits of going with the RX-465 over that Onkyo model you are considering. I believe that Onkyo is the basic entry level model (I think it's the TX-SR307) so you might want to read a few reviews first before deciding on it.

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minimoke

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#302424 26-Feb-2010 11:15

redjet: I think you'd be mad not to go with an amp that does 1080p.

I'd be inclined to agree - except when you are trying to do something on a tight budget: something has to give. An alternative to spending more on a 1080p amp might be to get an hdmi switch - say a 3 in 1 out when the need arises. You can pick one of these up for less than $100.

Jono - chances are you won't get any cables as part of the deal. But don't get sucked into buying "Monster" type audio cables. And watch out for the overpriced HDMI cable. The retailer will be making a big margin on these sorts of add ons.

With a rig like this you'll do just as well to head down to Dick Smith or Jaycar and buy some cable off the reel for the speakers (buy it by the metre) and they'll also be able to supply an optical cable at a reasonable price.

Someone with an Xbox will be able to confirm - but I think you can run an optical cable from the Xbox to the amp for your 5.1 sound. One thing you might like to think about is the quality of the picture. On my DVD player I firstly ran a picture through the component cable and thought the picture was OK. But when I changed it to an HDMI cable the picture improved hugely. I don't know if you'de expereince the same thing with the Xbox.

Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#302428 26-Feb-2010 11:25

Yeah I know to stay away from those brands. All good, DSE is easy for me.

If I got a HDMI switcher, how would that allow me to get 1080p video?

The trouble with getting a 1080p amp would be, I cant really spend more than $800 max at the moment, and if I spent all that just getting the amp, I would be left without any speakers so cant use it.

Handle9

11411 posts

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#302436 26-Feb-2010 11:47

The once thing you should look for in an reciever if you are wanting to watch bluray is HDMI audio input (ie doesn't say video switching only). Optical/coax don't have the bandwidth to transmit uncompressed audio streams which is what you get with the "HD" audio formats. Otherwise your PS3 will down convert and you loose the full range of audio. It doesn't matter if the receiver will actually decode them or not - your PS3 can do the decoding but it needs the HDMI connection to pass the audio data via bitstream.

The Onkyo SR-307 you are talking about doesn't do HDMI audio, just video switching. For an Onkyo you'd need to go to an SR-507 to get the HD audio formats. You can get one of those for $800ish.

minimoke

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#302441 26-Feb-2010 11:50

Torquenstein:

If I got a HDMI switcher, how would that allow me to get 1080p video

Your TV is 1080p and has at least one HDMI input ( I think it has three?)

If you take your 1080p sources (like the PSP, a blue ray player etc) then you have one HDMI cable coming out of each source. You could connect these cables direct to the TV - which means more cables hanging out of the back of the telly.

If you get a switch the cables from your sources and go into the switch (so this helps keep your cable tidy) and then just one cable goes from the switch to the telly - which makes the tv look a little less like an otopus. You achieve the same thing by getting a 1080p amp - but that will likely cost you more

Again its probably one not to sweat the detail - there aren't too many 1080p surces you have to worry about. Even Mysky HD is only 1080i (and 1080i is arguably inferior to 720p). I'm not sure if the PS3 and Xbox you have are true 1080p or if they upscale to 1080p. You have enough HDMI inputs on your TV for the time being.

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Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#302448 26-Feb-2010 12:03

Oh okay, not too fussed with the cables and what not, its a mess behind the cabinet anyway.

I think I will be able to live with the 720p output, as xbox games are usually 720p anyway, and if I need the PS3 for 1080p I will use the digital out. I just really want something there at the moment. And I dont really watch bluray much, most of the things I watch I stream from my PC and is mostly 720p.

Really for the meantime I cant justify a huge amount of money spent on this, as I have just bought a $3000 TV and Computer in the past month, woops.

Im only 20 and just bought my first home so I think I will just get this basic unit and take it slow, build up the system once I have settled in and know what I want out of my system.

Thanks for all your help guys. Im sure you will hear from me soon wanting the next upgrade lol :), once the other half forgets about the start to this year.

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#302522 26-Feb-2010 16:50

Handle9: The once thing you should look for in an reciever if you are wanting to watch bluray is HDMI audio input (ie doesn't say video switching only). Optical/coax don't have the bandwidth to transmit uncompressed audio streams which is what you get with the "HD" audio formats. Otherwise your PS3 will down convert and you loose the full range of audio. It doesn't matter if the receiver will actually decode them or not - your PS3 can do the decoding but it needs the HDMI connection to pass the audio data via bitstream.

The Onkyo SR-307 you are talking about doesn't do HDMI audio, just video switching. For an Onkyo you'd need to go to an SR-507 to get the HD audio formats. You can get one of those for $800ish.

I would heed this advice, you really need HDMI imput/output in a receiver these days and the SR-507 would be ideal for what you are after.

Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#302565 26-Feb-2010 19:45

I went out and bought the onkyo this arvo, plugged it all in but realised I didnt have any optical cables at home, will buy some tomorrow from DSE. But have tested it out with some music from the ipod and I am well pleased with it. Beats the TV speakers hands down. I know it wouldnt be as good as if I spent $2k on a good reciever and speakers, but I am happy with it :)

Thanks for your help guys. I know I will be back here once I have saved up a couple grand for a mint setup ;)

robjg63

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#302599 26-Feb-2010 22:01

Congrats!

To save yourself a few dollars on the optical cable go to Bond and Bond.

http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/gaming/electronictoys/mad-catz-optical-cable/prod47548.html
(Mad Catz optical cable - 3m long - $24.95 - I bought one - works fine).

DSE's cheapest one is $44.95 and 1.5m long - but I expect thats probably long enough.....

You know not to spend silly money on HDMI cables? Dont let any sales person talk to into expensive HDMI cables. A cheap properly functioning HDMI cable will work just the same as an excessively expensive one. The zeros and ones will still go from A to B just the same. The only time the more pricey cables may be a bit better is if you needed a really long cable - but I mean many meters and very few people ever have a need for that. Apologies if you already know all this - but I still hear sales people trying it on with gullible customers from time to time and it really annoys me.

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Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#302600 26-Feb-2010 22:14

Yeah I know not to buy the stupid ones, an HDMI cable is an HDMI cable :)

The optical cable only needs to be like 500mm long, ah well, will pop in there tomorrow.

I will need two optical cables and 1 HDMI cable. It all adds up :o

Then I also need some shelves to put the front speakers on as atm they are just on the cabinet level with the edge of the TV. And then some stands for the rear speakers. Gonna be a busy expensive day me thinks

richms

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#302634 27-Feb-2010 01:06

Jaycar had some better priced optical cables when I was in there a while back, check their aweful site out before going to B&B

Richard rich.ms

robjg63

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#302671 27-Feb-2010 11:13

Yes - Jaycar are always worth a look - Couldnt see any great deals on optical cables - but they did have (from memory) 3 HDMI cables (1.5m?) for $20 I think it was. Hard to beat that price. Cant see them on their website though - might have just been the Khyber pass Rd store in Auckland.....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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