Surround Sound Help!

[CS10029]

So I figured out what TV I want. Now I can't decide what HTIB to get.

I like everything about this one, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703057676

Except it sucks for inputs. I have a 360, PS3 and I'm going to be getting an HD DirecTV box. I want to hook them all up through HDMI and have 5.1 surround sound on all of them too. Is this possible with that product. If it isn't what can I do.

I really like the idea of not having to purchase stands for the system and having the rear speakers (mostly) wireless is huge too.

I know I can hook all three up to my television through HDMI, then run an optical cable to the rcvr and switch it from the 360, PS3 and HD box, when I want to use them. That doesn't seem convenient at all. Plus, I read that I lose the possibility of True HD audio if it is not going from the PS3 to a rcvr through HDMI.

I am new to this and just want to know what I should be getting to make sure I get the right product(s).

EDIT- http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703057943

Something like that, 3 HDMI inputs and on out. I just hate not having the stands, they are pricey.

[Heelfan71]

I'd stay away from anything that comes with a DVD player.

This one below has 3 HDMI Inputs and you will get True HD sound if going through your PS3.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703057943

[CS10029]

Quote: Originally Posted by Heelfan71

I'd stay away from anything that comes with a DVD player. This one below has 3 HDMI Inputs and you will get True HD sound if going through your PS3. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703057943

Hahaha, yep. That's the one I stumbled upon after I made my initial post. I edited in that model, hahaha. Now the only thing is, I really want them to be mounted somehow. The panasonic had the towers for the front and back. Best Buy seems to be really expensive for the tower holders, then like 30 bucks I think for wall mounts.

[Heelfan71]

is your tv on a stand or the wall ? If you have some type of tv stand the center channel and 2 front speakers can just sit on that and would be fine. For the rears they need to be pretty high and would need a stand of some sort. Really need to be above your head.

If have used these people before, not sure if you want to order something online

http://www.racksandstands.com/


I had these in our last house : http://www.racksandstands.com/OmniMo...-1-OM0309.html

Our couch was against the back wall so I had these on each end of the wall (wall the couch was against) , facing each a little higher than my head.

Figure in some speaker wire too, the wire that comes with those systems is pretty small. You can get a 50 foot roll at Home Depot for pretty cheap.

[CS10029]

Yeah I was looking at that. I think I can actually pull off the Panasonic, after some thinking.

PS3->Receiver->TV (HDMI)
360->TV (HDMI)
360->Receiver (Optical)
DTV->TV (HDMI)
DTV->Receiver (Optical)

That would all work right? It would just be a bitch sometimes to change the optical cable for 360 and DirecTV. No big deal though.

This way I can save almost $100, not having to buy stands.

EDIT- I'm an idiot, that receiver doesn't have an HDMI in...

[Heelfan71]

Not sure how many HDMI inputs the Panasonic has............ but the Panasonic is $114 more than the Sony. And you won't get any of the True HD when watching Bluray. With the Sony you just plug everything into the receiver with HDMI and then out to the tv with one cable and you are done

[CS10029]

Quote: Originally Posted by Heelfan71

Not sure how many HDMI inputs the Panasonic has............ but the Panasonic is $114 more than the Sony. And you won't get any of the True HD when watching Bluray. With the Sony you just plug everything into the receiver with HDMI and then out to the tv with one cable and you are done

It's not available for purchase online, or anywhere near me.

The Panasonic has nothing for HDMI inputs, which is stupid.

I think I might just suck it up and get the Panasonic, HDMI everything to the TV, then send optical cable from each box to the receiver. Pain in the ***, but I love the stands and wireless speakers.

[Seymour Scagnetti]

You're gonna have to spend about $1000.00 for a half decent system and I have yet to see a HTIB that isn't complete crap, sound wise and quality wise.

I can't stress this enough. Buy your receiver and speakers separate with a receiver that has complete audio\video passthru and enjoy. Be careful with any system that advertizes HDMI input. Lower price range systems only have video passthru which means you still have to connect the audio via optical cable which means no uncompressed sound because the HDMI is being used for video only. In fact unless a system specifically mentions video\audio passthru then I can guarantee it's only video passthru that's available.

I used to have a Panasonic HTIB up until last year and thought it was great until I got a new Denon receiver and Energy speakers and the difference is night and day.

Don't know what you're budget is but I got my system that retailed for about $1400 down to $1000 by shopping around and that was before the economy went into the toilet. If you have a store where they work on comission they'll negotiate like crazy to get you to buy like they did with me. So if you're looking at a system going for $1000 you should be able to get it for $800 ans that's not much more than you're paying for the HTIB crap.

If that's out of your price range wait longer, save up some more because the prices will only go lower. You'll be glad you did. Sound is just as important as picture. Not to mention you will also get the joy of uncompressed sound.