Home theater rookie with questions

[Wingman1977]

I'm interested in a 7.1 home theater system that have HDMI. I own a 40 in Samsung 1080p LCD (LN-T4061F) a xbox360 pro system (the ones that have HDMI outuput) a 80gb playstation 3 and a HD cable box. I've so far found two models so far:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do


Anyone who owns either one of them or knows about them can they tell me how connecting them up to the devices I own via HDMI? also, if anyone else knows of a better deal on these models or others, please let me know. Thanks for the help in advance.

PS I'm trying to stay in the $500 range if possible.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I'm interested in a 7.1 home theater system that have HDMI. I own a 40 in Samsung 1080p LCD (LN-T4061F) a xbox360 pro system (the ones that have HDMI outuput) a 80gb playstation 3 and a HD cable box. I've so far found two models so far:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do


Anyone who owns either one of them or knows about them can they tell me how connecting them up to the devices I own via HDMI? also, if anyone else knows of a better deal on these models or others, please let me know. Thanks for the help in advance.

PS I'm trying to stay in the $500 range if possible.

Well, if you are limiting your budget that much I would suggest getting the second unit. It has 3 HDMI inputs. But beware the fact that they are "HDMI PASSTHROUGH" units. I believe that means that you will have to get an optical cable in order to produce sound out of the speakers... and optical cables can't handle HD audio. "Passthrough" refers to the fact that the receiver just passes all of the HDMI signal straight through to the TV without processing any of it, not even the sound. So, your TV becomes the only outputs source for HDMI video and audio. You wouldn't be able to get TrueHD, DTS HD MA, or 5.1 PCM sound with these packages. The PCM tracks will only come through as 2 channel stereo through an optical cable.

If you are looking for a quality sound system, I'd save up $2000 first. It's 4x more than you want to pay right now, but it will be 1000x better quality and will last you a lot more than 1 year before you will want to upgrade again.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

For the sake of the OP, somebody has to agree with me on this!!!

[abcyesn]

$2000 for home theater? I don't need that, can you tell us the best we can get for under $500.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by abcyesn

i am on the same boat. i just spent $1800 to buy a 1080p samsung TV, I won't go crazy on the home theater.

Most home theater system comes with a DVD player, but i want blu ray. So that's another 500 bucks.. or should I go for ps3?

Originally Posted by abcyesn

$2000 for home theater? I don't need that, can you tell us the best we can get for under $500.

You guys crack me up... spend 2K on a tv but limit yourself to a $500 sound system. I know people aren't made of money, but audio is just as important as picture. Some people like myself consider the audio even more important.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

You guys crack me up... spend 2K on a tv but limit yourself to a $500 sound system. I know people aren't made of money, but audio is just as important as picture. Some people like myself consider the audio even more important.

+1

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

You guys crack me up... spend 2K on a tv but limit yourself to a $500 sound system. I know people aren't made of money, but audio is just as important as picture. Some people like myself consider the audio even more important.

Yeah... I gotta say, people can instantly "see" the difference when they walk by the HD TVs in the stores, but most people simply haven't had the opportunity to listen to a good system.... I listened to many systems, and although I couldn't afford them, I knew they were out there, so I saved, researched (A LOT) and finally purchased my system.

My T.V. 37" 720p got it for FREE.....

My Audio equipment breaks the $15K mark, including bass traps etc that were made by myself. I haven't felt the need to get a new t.v. yet, because it looks fine, I don't sit terribly far away, so It's big enough, it looks great being 720p or not.... and when you have a good source of audio, it really DRAWS YOU IN to the screen. I'm planning on getting a projector, but that's only because I'm done (for now) with the audio.

It's like spinning-chrome rims on a Dodge Neon......

[bajor27]

I'll agree. I wouldn't go passthrough. Would kinda defeat the purpose of 7.1 from my understanding, as you're only going to get true 7.1 from your PS3 if the audio is going HDMI.

I might be a bit off, but you definiteloy won't be getting HD audio.

If you want to stay cheap, look for the onkyo 605 receiver and then some decent speakers seperately. Probably can't get an entire (decent) 7.1 system for $500 , but I bet you could pull one off for 800-1200 if you found some decent deals.

Note - I'm Canadian so it's a bit difficult for me to give accurate price ranges, but I'm sure I've seen the 605 for under $400 and I know I've seen some posts here with some lower end Polk speakers for pretty cheap too.

[Wingman1977]

]
Not a bad idea. Finding a 7.1 reciever wouldn't be a issue. Have any ideas of where I can get 7.1 speakers (sorry if it sounds like a dumb question)?

Update: I found a few 7.1 recievers online any feedback on them?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ital_Home.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Receiver.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Receiver.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_Theater.html
This model is not available yet.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_Theater.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ect2_Home.html
This model is out of stock

Any input will be appreciated.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

For the sake of the OP, somebody has to agree with me on this!!!

Consider it agreed!

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Well, if you are limiting your budget that much I would suggest getting the second unit. It has 3 HDMI inputs. But beware the fact that they are "HDMI PASSTHROUGH" units. I believe that means that you will have to get an optical cable in order to produce sound out of the speakers... and optical cables can't handle HD audio. "Passthrough" refers to the fact that the receiver just passes all of the HDMI signal straight through to the TV without processing any of it, not even the sound. So, your TV becomes the only outputs source for HDMI video and audio. You wouldn't be able to get TrueHD, DTS HD MA, or 5.1 PCM sound with these packages. The PCM tracks will only come through as 2 channel stereo through an optical cable.

If you are looking for a quality sound system, I'd save up $2000 first. It's 4x more than you want to pay right now, but it will be 1000x better quality and will last you a lot more than 1 year before you will want to upgrade again.

$2000 is way out of my budget. If you said close to $1000 would be a different story. Thanks for the breakdown because I'm dumb as a brick when it comes to HT.

[abcyesn]

i am on the same boat. i just spent $1800 to buy a 1080p samsung TV, I won't go crazy on the home theater.

Most home theater system comes with a DVD player, but i want blu ray. So that's another 500 bucks.. or should I go for ps3?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Sorry... my $2000 suggestion was based on Canadian pricing, which is always more expensive on electronics (Onkyo 805 = $1200 CDN / $700 USD).

So, with that in mind, U.S. value would be more like $1200 - $1500. Believe me, it will be worth it. Take some time to save up and you'll be able to take time to go sample equipment as well. You won't have a system hooked up for a few months, but you will also end up with a system that you will be happy with for many years instead of just the short term.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by abcyesn

i am on the same boat. i just spent $1800 to buy a 1080p samsung TV, I won't go crazy on the home theater.

Most home theater system comes with a DVD player, but i want blu ray. So that's another 500 bucks.. or should I go for ps3?

I know Samsung has a HT system that comes with a blu-ray player (actually I saw two models). One is about $1000 and the othere one is cheaper in price.

EDIT: here is a link of a few I found:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

PS, pay no mind to the Sony at the bottom of that page. It's not a blu-ray player.

[Kyzer the Medic]

I recently bought an Onkyo 605s from Amazon prime, shipped overnight for 338. If you were to couple that with some nice speakers you would get a nice 7.1 experience with the equipment you already own. Where you going to run into a roadblock with a 500 budget is on your speakers. Are you needing to add all speakers and the sub, or do you have speakers available for use ?

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I know Samsung has a HT system that comes with a blu-ray player (actually I saw two models). One is about $1000 and the othere one is cheaper in price.

EDIT: here is a link of a few I found:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arch&Q=*&bhs=t

PS, pay no mind to the Sony at the bottom of that page. It's not a blu-ray player.

Since you have a PS3 you don't need a receiver to decode the lossless codecs.. So best value fo the money would probably be the

Sony STR-DG720 as mentioned above and maybe this set of 5.1 speakers which are very nice..

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B0002WTK4S/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=12112513 18&sr=8-1

[crackinhedz]

.. or should I go for ps3?

GO FOR IT.

I double dog dare ya.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

$2000 is way out of my budget. If you said close to $1000 would be a different story. Thanks for the breakdown because I'm dumb as a brick when it comes to HT.

I can get you in at 1000.00 Standby, I will send another post in the next 30 minutes.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I'm interested in a 7.1 home theater system that have HDMI. I own a 40 in Samsung 1080p LCD (LN-T4061F) a xbox360 pro system (the ones that have HDMI outuput) a 80gb playstation 3 and a HD cable box. I've so far found two models so far:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do


Anyone who owns either one of them or knows about them can they tell me how connecting them up to the devices I own via HDMI? also, if anyone else knows of a better deal on these models or others, please let me know. Thanks for the help in advance.

PS I'm trying to stay in the $500 range if possible.

Sent you another PM. (May have sent it twice on mistake)

[repmuj]

There has been alot of discussion about the Onkyo TX-SR605. What do you know about the Onkyo TX-SR505. IE do you have any experience with it?