Onkyo HT-SR800 Home Theater System

[soright903]

Hi all, my b rother is shopping for a home theatre setup. He seems intrigued by home theatres in box. I always thought they were very limited in what you can do. What are you thoughts on this one. I apprciate any feedback


http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/...23745/details/

Would it be better to buy this or just a entry level receiver (onkyo tx505) (that supoports 7.1 and HDMI) and add speakers to it later?

[WriteSimply]

From CNet.com

When compared to the paltry jack packs of other HTIBs in this range, the HT-SR800's connectivity options are excellent: you get four AV (including the front panel's set), three component, and two HDMI inputs. But there is a catch: the HDMI jacks are video pass-through only--they support as high as 1080p resolution, but they won't carry the audio signals from your disc player, game system, or set-top box. Annoyingly, that means you'll need to connect a dedicated audio feed as well; stereo RCA or (for surround) optical or coaxial digital or analog multichannel. The latter option--running six or eight cables to the Onkyo's 7.1-channel analog inputs--is your only option for getting the best sound from HD DVD or Blu-ray players. Of course, you'll need to make sure your player has analog audio outputs, and can decode the Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD soundtracks found on HD movie discs--not all of them do.

fuad

[soright903]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

From CNet.com




fuad

Thanks, I figured it wasn't everything it claimed to be. By the time you add everything you'll need to the "home theater in a box" you might as well have just bought something decent to start with. Begin with a few good pieces and add as you go.

[Footloose301]

I have that very same theater system and its actually better than you'd think. First off, even though the HDMI's are pass thrus-the receiver has 7.1 multi channel input, so you're still able to get the lossless 7.1 surround. Also, the receiver that you get with it is the TX-SR575, which is better than the 505 if you listen to satellite radio. The 505 does not have satellite radio ready, and the 575 is both sirius and xm.

So if you're thinking that you're better off with the 505 then you're mistaken. However if you get the new 605 then you're in business because it is HDMI v1.3 capable and DOES carry audio via HDMI.

Nonetheless it is a great system IMHO. Obviously not as good as seperates, but much better than you'd think.

You're only option for the lossless 7.1 audio is using the Panasonic DMP-10AK that I'm buying this weekend because its the only one with 7.1 analog outs. No other blu-ray player with do that.

[crackinhedz]

For the price of that HTIB, I would force your brother into buying the Onkyo TX-SR605


...and gradually upgrade and integrate speakers for the system.

[bigpoppa]

i have the same system. wish it could decode audio through HDMI. if you have speakers already go for the 605 but if you dont, this is a good set up for 450.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by bigpoppa

i have the same system. wish it could decode audio through HDMI. if you have speakers already go for the 605 but if you dont, this is a good set up for 450.

Agreed.