HDMI Cables

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Just to add...

HDMI has both video and audio in 1 cable. So, if your dvd player has and HDMI output, plug it into one of the available ports and configure the receiver to use that port as DVD. (I assume Sony has some sort of on screen menu to do this.) Then, when you want to watch a DVD, select "DVD mode" on your receiver and you are done.

The optical input is audio only. So, you will need to run video cables (probably component..Red, Blue, Green) to one of the 4 comp. inputs you have, and also run an optical cable to one of the optical inputs you have. Then, setup the receiver so that "DVD mode" uses the correct input for both audio and video.

Man, I hope I am not making things worse here.

Well I have a Blu Ray player coming in this week, so I'll play DVD and Blu Ray through that. Then I have the Bell PVR as well as my Xbox360. So with 3 HDMI inputs in the receiver, I'll only need those for video and audio and I'll have surround sound?

Excuse all the questions, I seriously have very little knowledge of this kind of stuff.

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Well I have a Blu Ray player coming in this week, so I'll play DVD and Blu Ray through that. Then I have the Bell PVR as well as my Xbox360. So with 3 HDMI inputs in the receiver, I'll only need those for video and audio and I'll have surround sound?

Excuse all the questions, I seriously have very little knowledge of this kind of stuff.

Yup. Kick ass setup.

Make sure you write down which device plugs into which HDMI input, and then match them up in your receiver. It should be real easy.

Just a side note, make sure you go into the settings on the PVR and choose the correct HD and Digital audio settings. By default, they are not configured. Again, real easy.


And if you spend $400 on HDMI cables, we will all make fun of you.

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Just a side note, make sure you go into the settings on the PVR and choose the correct HD and Digital audio settings. By default, they are not configured. Again, real easy.


And if you spend $400 on HDMI cables, we will all make fun of you.

I think the guy who did the installation today did all that. At one point I saw him change it to 1080i, assuming thats what your talking about. Whats the Digital Audio settings?

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Mayer

I think the guy who did the installation today did all that. At one point I saw him change it to 1080i, assuming thats what your talking about. Whats the Digital Audio settings?

Well, I thought you had to tell the receiver to use the optical output, but I just checked my 9200, and I can't find anything. So, I guess I have it confused with an older receiver.

Anyway, sounds like you are good to go. I am jealous of your Bluray goodness, by the way.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Very helpful. Thank you. Do you have any suggestions for receivers in this general price range? I just picked this one out as it had the price range I liked as well as seemed to have all the necessary hook ups.

I had a Sony receiver before and never had problems with it; switched over to a Harmon Kardon and couldn't believe the sound difference; it was amazing.

The newer Sony receivers from what I have read aren't getting the greatest of reviews, I personally know a couple of audio/video-o-philes who were Sony loyalists and have now sworn off all things Sony except for TVs.

It may cost a bit more, but you may want to look into HK or Yamaha receivers... For instance this one:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...39&catid=20313

It has one less HDMI, but if you really need it, just pick up the HDMI switch off of monoprice, I think it is like $40.

[Nancy]

The main problem with the low end Sony receivers is that the power supply inside the unit is typically only capable of producing the rated power output on one channel at a time.

One thing that gives this away:

STRDG720 is rated at 105W x 7 but weights only 8 kg

Harmon Kardon AVR254 is rated 50W x 7 but weighs 15 kg

The HK can produce 50 watts across all channels simultaneously, the Sony cannot.

On the plus side, I dropped my Sony receiver 6' front-down onto hardwood and the receiver didn't even have a scratch.

[Mayer]

I was also looking at this one....comments?

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=139&productId=3321&menuId= 368&parentId1=368&parentId2=''&parentId3=''&menuLe vel=1

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by Mayer

I was also looking at this one....comments?

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=139&productId=3321&menuId= 368&parentId1=368&parentId2=''&parentId3=''&menuLe vel=1

I'd go with that one myself. That is, unless you found an Onkyo receiver for a comparable price (ie. Onkyo TX-SR506).

H/K is a very good brand. That price for a decent 3 HDMI input receiver ain't bad at all. Looks nice IMO, and should do the trick for ya.

Only downside is the rated 30 watts per channel power supply, but at least you'll actually get all those watts that are quoted in multi-channel (surround) audio situations, whereas with the Sony, you would not. Nancy explained it well.

BTW, your system sounds NICE.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Mayer

I was also looking at this one....comments?

http://www2.visions.ca/catalogue/category/Details.aspx?categoryId=139&productId=3321&menuId= 368&parentId1=368&parentId2=''&parentId3=''&menuLe vel=1

I'd take that one over the Sony; you will be giving up the 7.1 surround, but look at when you would plan to add the extra 2 speakers. If you're not planning for 5 years or so, may as well save some cash now, and then blow your wad when you're ready to upgrade... by then there will be some crazy new technologies anyways.

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

I'd take that one over the Sony; you will be giving up the 7.1 surround, but look at when you would plan to add the extra 2 speakers. If you're not planning for 5 years or so, may as well save some cash now, and then blow your wad when you're ready to upgrade... by then there will be some crazy new technologies anyways.

Can anyone name me a move other than Pan's Labarynth that is in 6.1, let alone 7.1? Now that I know better, I probably wouldn't put 7.1 high on my list of desired features.

[FanIn80]

Jumping in late... but the real kicker to all of this Future Shop / Best Buy overpriced cables stuff is that the $190 Monster HDMI cable sells for $45 to a staff member.

(which means it has a ~$40 cost in the system)

(which means it actually costs FS ~$20, since they inflate the "cost" that the system shows to employees)

I used to do some part time work for them awhile back. Fun fun.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Mayer

I'm guessing your being sarcastic? I was wondering about those. Never even heard the name.

Oh not at all, they are excellent receivers and I bought myself the http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?cl...m=TX-SR605&p=i from Sounds Around for I think it was $615.

I'd avoid Sony like the plauge, Onkyo are great options albeit not maybe in your price range but honestly investing in a good receiver is a great idea since you'll have it for years.

[Vulcan]

Going back to 120hz TVs. I have a small one [32"] and I have only used it so far for use with Bell and my computer so I haven't noticed it's effect much but in some scenes it does give some 3D effect and is great in fast moving panoramic scenes. I bought it mainly because of price as it was cheaper that week than other models without 120hz.

I was in a London Drugs a while ago and they had a few 120hz TVs connected to a Blue Ray player displaying a nature show. The 3D effect was awesome. Some people don't like it because they claim it gives a soap opera effect. It's too smooth and doesn't display the director's vision of only keeping a certain focus of a scene whereas with 120hz, the whole scene is in focus. At least that's how I understand it. Some people don't like it and others swear by it.

[Mayer]

Ok...last question, hopefully.

Between these two receivers.... what's your choice?

ONKYO

HARMAN KARDON

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Thor

Get an Onkyo!

Originally Posted by Mayer

I'm guessing your being sarcastic? I was wondering about those. Never even heard the name.

I'm not sure if he was being sarcastic or not, or if anything has changed. But when I was selling electronics about 8 or 9 years ago, Onkyo was pretty low end.

The price of the model you are looking at suggests otherwise, so it may have changed.

[OilKiller]

This thread is kind of going in a number of different directions, but oh well...thought I would ask those in the know since we have been talking about receivers.

I have a Sony STRDG800. Imagine my surprise when I finally decided to use HDMI cables for both audio and video instead of just video directly to my HDTV and digital optical cables to the receiver. I decided to do this because of my recent Blu-ray player purchase. I've had an HD DVD for a while, but never bothered with just an HDMI cable for both audio and video.

So the 800 says HDMI right on the front of it and I plugged in the HDMI cables for both the HD DVD and BD. Guess what? The audio when using HDMI only is output via the TV speakers only! Can you imagine this? It's in the fine print in the 800 User Manual. Unfreakinbelievable... Why, if I have a BD player, a 46" HDTV and a surround sound system, would I want the audio output via the TV speakers? Arrgghhh...

So...I have been hunting for a new receiver. I found this one: Sony STRDG720, which is a lower number, but seems to allow for both audio and video throughput on the receiver. Not sure why this is. Some people in this thread have said Sony is not the greatest choice. So, this receiver not all that great then? Comparibles at or around the same price range? Thoughts?

Edit: I should add that one of the reasons why I like the Sony is it comes with built-in XM which I bought an antenna for and I use quite often. This 720 model also has the built-in XM.

[photon]

Onkyo is definately a good choice nowadays. I am very impressed with mine. Yamaha is another brand I like, and the Pioneer Elite series, but only the elites.

[nfotiu]

Back to the original topic. See if anyone has any advice here.

Our house was pre-wired with a closet for the media equipment and a tv mount in the living room. They prewired what is probably about a 50 foot hdmi cable. Well, I guess they cheaped out and put a crappy one in, because I get lots of sparklies.

So essentially I have 3 cables. the pre-wired one, a 3 foot one in the closet and a 3 foot one at the tv. Any chance that finding higher quality short ones could make a difference, or am I stuck?

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Mayer

Ok...last question, hopefully.

Between these two receivers.... what's your choice?

ONKYO

HARMAN KARDON

Definately the Onkyo on those 2, look at the specs and check out the total surround sound power.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Back to the original topic. See if anyone has any advice here.

Our house was pre-wired with a closet for the media equipment and a tv mount in the living room. They prewired what is probably about a 50 foot hdmi cable. Well, I guess they cheaped out and put a crappy one in, because I get lots of sparklies.

So essentially I have 3 cables. the pre-wired one, a 3 foot one in the closet and a 3 foot one at the tv. Any chance that finding higher quality short ones could make a difference, or am I stuck?

My $2.25 HDMI cables work just as good with no 'sparklies' ( I assume you are referring to some type of picture distortion), as the 80 buck cables my brother bought at Futureshop.

I am guessing your cables or connections are either damaged or installed incorrectly. IIRC low voltage needs to be run perpendicular to high voltage in order to avoid interference. I am just randomly guessing though, it could be several things.