Home Theatre Setup recommendations needed.

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manjina

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#171417 17-Apr-2015 10:55

We are renovating and getting close to finish so I get to have a spend of some of whatever contingency is leftover. So i'm hoping to upgrade my AV setup. In saying that, i dont think I'll get a big budget so lets avoid high end gear recommendations please.

I'm wanting to run everything from the Study/Office so was planning on an HDMI 4x4 matrix
The displays will likely be

55" 4k bravia (Lounge, already has 5.1 setup through Onkyo 608)
32" 1080p bravia (Bedroom)
1080p monitor (Office)

Inputs likely
MySky
FireTV
HTPC

I have prewired Cat6, coax, and HDMI to all 3 display locations but because the longest run is only 12m, I'm hoping I wont need HDBaseT.

So.....

1. What HDMI 4x4 would you recommend?
Fast switching and EDID management would be nice. Guessing dont need 4k as no 4k inputs.

2. Because of the 5.1 in the lounge, I'm guessing I need 5.1 at each other location. Soundbars?? What soundbar would you recommend? (must have HDMI and handle at least 5.1, even if it outputs only 2.1 or 2.0)

3. Havent purchased the TVs yet but want something good for sports and movies
Thinking of getting the Sony KDL-32W700B for the bedroom and Sony KD-55X8500B for the lounge. Any other recommendations here?

Thanks

Kopkiwi

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#1286265 17-Apr-2015 13:36

I've owned a couple of Sony TVs and they've all had problems. For their comparative price I'd consider LG and Samsung. Better quality.

heylinb4nz

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#1286288 17-Apr-2015 14:01

You wont need 5.1 at the other locations, a soundbar getting a 5.1 signal will just decode it into 2.1.

Some bars do some trickey dicking sound bouncing \ imaging to give you faux 5.1, but for true 5.1 you are going to need a sound bar which has wireless rears and sub....and even then the left, centre, right seperation at the bar isnt eqivalent to a proper 5.1 setup in your main lounge where the speaker spacing is more ideal. Unless your sound bar is 1 wider than your TV. 5.1 bars with wireless speakers will also be $$$$.

As for bars, dont expect the same sound as a proper speaker running from a receiver, closest you will get is a Bose ($$$$$).

I currently run one of these

http://www.avalon.co.nz/tv-speaker-system/483-onkyo-ls-b50-.html

For the price it satisfies, read amazon reviews.

Also heard good things about the Yamaha bars and higher end Panasonic

manjina

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#1286411 17-Apr-2015 16:04

heylinb4nz: You wont need 5.1 at the other locations, a soundbar getting a 5.1 signal will just decode it into 2.1.

....................

I currently run one of these

http://www.avalon.co.nz/tv-speaker-system/483-onkyo-ls-b50-.html

....................

Ok, I thought because all displays are attached to the matrix, it will run the audio at 'highest common denominator'. If i play a BluRay with DTSHD soundtrack to all locations, because some locations are 2.0 or 2.1, that means the lounge 5.1 system will only get 2.0.....hence why i'm wanting something that can handle 5.1 even if it decodes down to 2.1. Sound quality at bedroom and office dont need to be great, just adequate without downgrading the 5.1 in the lounge.

That Onkyo looks nice but no HDMI?

Again, I'm guessing here, but I thought I'd need HDMI on the soundbar (and passthrough the video)?

Something like this...
Sony HT-ST3

manjina

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#1287539 20-Apr-2015 09:32

Anyone running a 4x4 matrix switch?

jonathan18

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#1287616 20-Apr-2015 10:32

Re soundbars - on my recommendation, my in-laws purchased this one - http://products.noelleeming.co.nz/search?w=philips+soundbar&view=grid - I see it's discounted at the moment too. I've not been impressed with Philips stuff for ages, but this is surprisingly good (check out reviews online to back this up - eg http://www.whathifi.com/philips/htl9100/review). Greatest advantage over most other bars is its ability to act as just a standard soundbar, or remove the wireless/rechargable speakers off each end and place appropriately for a decently-enveloping surround sound. Has HDMI input and ARC; also bluetooth. Personally, I'd buy one for a bedroom if we had a TV in that sort of space.

I've also read good things about Yamaha soundbars - some of the few that appear to be able to produce a decent 'surround' effect without separate speakers.

jonathan18

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#1287619 20-Apr-2015 10:37

manjina: Again, I'm guessing here, but I thought I'd need HDMI on the soundbar (and passthrough the video)?

Something like this...
Sony HT-ST3

You seem to like your Sony product!

Have you listened to this soundbar? I did when I auditioned a number when selecting one for my parents-in law (see above post re what they did buy and what I'd recommend). This Sony soundbar sounded absolutely dire. In fact all the Sony soundbars I listened to sounded sh!te.

As with any product, you're best to trust your own ears and audition them - sure, use recommendations and reviews to narrow your selection, but do make sure you're happy with the sound etc.

manjina

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#1291199 25-Apr-2015 06:59

So no one using a reliable HDMI matrix that doesnt cost an arm?

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Dunnersfella

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#1291204 25-Apr-2015 07:43

Nope - anything decent seems to cost...
It's the hub of the system, even more so than an AVR and if it's flakey, has lipsynch issues / CEC issues / connection issues / IR issues etc, it-will-drive-you-insane.
Are you looking for a HDBasteT capable matrix switch with IR built in? Or simply HDMI?
I know you said the longest run would be 12m, but I'd still go for HDBaseT and run twice the # of cables so you can easily swap bits out when / if wider colour space UHD comes to the fore.
Personally, at this point, I'd either run a HDMI matrix with HDBaseT add on units to every panel (meaning that certain parts could be upgraded in a modular fashion if required) or stump up for a full banana HDBaseT solution.

And yup, it's not cheap.

Also, soundbars can often handle DTS or Dolby feeds via optical, but not the loseless versions. Please note, cheap soundbars often can't work with DTS or Dolby, let alone loseless formats via an HDMI input. Even then, their HDMI inputs / outputs most likely won't be HDMI 2.0 capable.

In regards to audio EDID...
I would be interested to find out the answer to this.
If you take an HD Zone amplifier like a Pioneer LX88, you can run a DTS Master HD track through a 5.1 setup, but using the HD Zone output from the same amp, run directly into a TV / soundbar setup and not alter the Main 5.1 sound.
Does that help?

bbrichau

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RapalloAV

#1301044 9-May-2015 07:15

Hi there
sorry for being late, but I can't resist promoting my business here :)
check out
http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/4x4-hdmi-matrix-switcher-with-rs232-and-edid.html
this is not going to break the bank I think
cheers
Bart