Onkyo HT-S3400

[ozzsoad]

I'm kind of embarassed to admit it, but I have yet to invest in a surround sound system, mainly due to where I live. I've recently decided "screw it", and now I'm looking into getting one.

I've been shopping around and the Onkyo HT-S3400 seems a decent choice. It's going in a very small room, so I'm not looking for anything to bring down the walls. It's also in my price range.

Sadly, I have little to no experience with surround sound systems, especially dealing with Blu-ray and high def audio.

A couple noob questions:

1.) I own a Sony BDP-S350. I'm aware it doesn't decode DTS-MA internally, but will I get the same sound quality in the receiver (which has the decoder) if I bitstreamed it, or should I look into getting a new player to get the most out of the audio?

2.) I've looked at pictures and read through the manual, but I can't figure out how I would connect a device using component cables for both video and audio. I see the two connections for the component video, but where do you put the audio, if anywhere. My cable box as well as my Wii use component cables. How would I go about using them with the receiver?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Bodyslide]

1. Connect the Sony to the new one via Opitcal In or the Coaxial.( it has 2 Optical Inputs)

2. The component cables are for video only. Connect the Cable box and /or Wii with either the rca audio imputs or the Coaxial input(it has one Coaxial input).

Good Luck

[ozzsoad]

Originally Posted by Bodyslide

1. Connect the Sony to the new one via Opitcal In or the Coaxial.( it has 2 Optical Inputs)

2. The component cables are for video only. Connect the Cable box and /or Wii with either the rca audio imputs or the Coaxial input(it has one Coaxial input).

Good Luck

I'm sorry, I don't quite understand. Shouldn't I be able to get the audio I want from the s350 to the Onkyo through the HDMI alone? The Onkyo should be able to decode the DTS-MA, right?

As for the cable box and Wii, I guess I could just connect them to the TV and use an optical cable for the audio. No big deal.

EDIT: I'm going to go ahead and order this tomorrow and keep my current Blu-ray player for now. I think I have it all figured out. Thanks for your reply.

I'll give feedback about the system when I have it all set up. This is kind of exciting. I've only been getting half the Blu-ray experience all this time, now's that's going to change hopefully.

[LetoAtreides82]

Originally Posted by Bodyslide

2. The component cables are for video only. Connect the Cable box and /or Wii with either the rca audio imputs or the Coaxial input(it has one Coaxial input).

Good Luck

Most component cables come with rca audio cables (the red and white cables) just like composite cables. The red, green, and blue cables are for the video, and the red and white are for the audio. Something like this is what you need for the wii:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

For the cable box you just need a standard component rca (sometimes called component AV) cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[ozzsoad]

Thanks for the replies. I have the audio bitstreaming to the Onkyo and it works great. I went ahead and just used an optical for the cable box, I'll have to get extended RCA audio cables or something for the Wii, no big deal. I'm more excited for the surround for my XBox 360 anyway.

I have to say, I'm blown away by the quality of this set. The sub is more than efficient, I actually had to turn it down. It's loud and crystal clear. I'm more than happy with this purchase.

How to Train Your Dragon and Avatar were the first two movies I tried out, they sounded pretty incredible.

I thought it would sound good, but not this good. For a sub $300 setup, I'm impressed.

[Benchman]

I think I'm going to buy this set for my bedroom

[ozzsoad]

Originally Posted by ben.baf

I think I'm going to buy this set for my bedroom

I think you'll be happy with it.

I've got Gladiator playing right now...Wow. This is the best I've ever heard this movie at home, and I've watched the Blu-ray with a more expensive system in the past.

[LetoAtreides82]

Originally Posted by ozzsoad

I'm kind of embarassed to admit it, but I have yet to invest in a surround sound system, mainly due to where I live. I've recently decided "screw it", and now I'm looking into getting one.

I've been shopping around and the Onkyo HT-S3400 seems a decent choice. It's going in a very small room, so I'm not looking for anything to bring down the walls. It's also in my price range.

Sadly, I have little to no experience with surround sound systems, especially dealing with Blu-ray and high def audio.

A couple noob questions:

1.) I own a Sony BDP-S350. I'm aware it doesn't decode DTS-MA internally, but will I get the same sound quality in the receiver (which has the decoder) if I bitstreamed it, or should I look into getting a new player to get the most out of the audio?

2.) I've looked at pictures and read through the manual, but I can't figure out how I would connect a device using component cables for both video and audio. I see the two connections for the component video, but where do you put the audio, if anywhere. My cable box as well as my Wii use component cables. How would I go about using them with the receiver?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Your blu-ray player (http://reviews.cnet.com/blu-ray-play...-32868775.html ) can bitstream the HD audio formats, and the Onkyo s3400 can decode it. Use an hdmi cable from the blu-ray player to the Onkyo, then use another hdmi cable from your Onkyo to your hdtv. On your blu-ray player go to audio settings and make sure to set it to bitstream. On your Onkyo it will then tell you whether the blu-ray you're playing is Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD.

I'm looking to purchase my first HD home theater system, and I've considered this Onkyo, but I think I'm going to spend an extra $100 for the Onkyo s5400 which is a 7.1 system and it has a bigger subwoofer (10' vs the 8" in the s3400, plus it's powered whereas the s3400 subwoofer gets its power from the receiver which means that if you want to upgrade your subwoofer you'd need a new receiver).

However your room is small so I'm sure the s3400 will be powerful enough for your room. Let us know how it goes.