Re: Route signals through receiver or hdtv first?
- From: Doug <wdsims63@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:50:58 -0000
On Jul 31, 2:55 pm, google_pos...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
I hope you can help me out with architecture for my new home theater -
should the signals go to the receiver first, or to the HDTV?
Here are the details:
I have the following signal sources:
A. Digital cable box, HDMI
B. Tivo series 2, S-Video
C. Sony DVD jukebox, Component
D. WII, Component
E. XBOX (not 360), Component
F. Some other video games, Composite
I'll likely be replacing the Tivo with a Tivo-HD at some point, which
will change to HDMI. Eventually - a few years - I'll probably get at
blu-ray or hd dvd PLAYER.
For output, I just ordered a Sharp LC-52D92U (52" LCD HDTV). It has
these inputs that I care about:
A. HDMI - 3
B. S-Video - 1
C. Component - 2
D. Composite - 2
I'll probably have some external switch box to deal with the video
games.
I'm planning to get a receiver or amplifier, and 5.1 speakers. But
I'm not sure what to get. A big part of my decision is whether the
inputs go to the receiver first, or to the TV first and then to the
speaker system. There's mixed advice on the web on this. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Bob
Obviously, this is only my opinion, but here is how I think you should
arrange everything.
Put the HDMI sources directly into the TV, run digital audio from them
to the receiver (either optical or coaxial digital). Use the receiver
to switch the component, S-video, and composite sources, along with
all of your audio sources.
I would get a receiver that does component video switching (but not
necessarily HDMI); the reason I say this is that most of the trouble I
hear about people having with these receivers seems to be related to
the HDMI not telling a device the right thing. Meaning you either get
no picture, or you get stereo sound. If it works, then its great; but
thats a lot to gamble on it not working. Most of the decent (less than
$800) receivers have component switching for the video switching. The
only downside is if one of your sources will not output HD over
component. This seems to only be likely with the DVD player, but its
not an HD source, so no problem.
Almost any good receiver will work (i.e. Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, etc.).
Just make sure that it has at least 3 optical input options and 2
coaxial digital input options. Another response mentioned analog
surround inputs, but there are very few sources that have this (I
doubt any of your sources do) and most higher end receivers have this
anyway so its not as big of a deal. You will need at least 4 RCA
analog stereo inputs so be sure and check that as well. From what I
have read, and seen in online sales, a good Denon will give you all of
this for around $400-$800. Depending on whether you want 5, 6, or 7
speakers.
This would be a good option, but it is short one optical connector
(only 2 optical), but its only $329 (Denon :
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3252.asp#
Another low cost option is this one (Denon AVR-587):
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3248.asp#
A higher priced option (w/HDMI switching) would be the 2307CI that the
other poster mentioned listed (as he said) at $800:
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3255.asp#
You don't have to get a Denon, I just wanted to show a range of some
of the options you could use, and Denon's website was fairly easy to
navigate and find specs on the devices. The obvious downside to the
Denon's (if you research them at all) is the lack of a good manual,
and the steep learning curve to set it up. Hopefully though, you only
have to do this once (maybe twice). There are plenty others that will
work just as well, you might want to check locally for any sales (such
as Circuit City, or BB).
The HDMI switching may work for you with no problems, but it seems
that the HDMI only comes with the higher priced receivers, so if you
are looking to save a bit of money, then go with component (and
composite, S-video) switching only.
.
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