Beginning Our Home Theater!

#1

Rating: 0

8/23/09 at 9:47pm

Qcom
Zach
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Joined: August 2009
Post Count: 1

This post (although it may be in the wrong section, sorry..) is just about us picking the right home theater kit for our home. What we mainly want is a great place for media. We want to be able to watch movies on our PS3 (for the blu-ray discs) and download stuff on our Apple TV and play various video games (big fans!) all in the wonderful world of HDMI and 7.1 channel surround sound!!

Here are the components I have set up currently [The component's outputs are enclosed with '()']:

- XBOX 360 (HDMI)
- PS3 (HDMI)
- Apple TV (HDMI)
- Media Server (HDMI)
- Wii (AV Cables)
- Cox Cable Box In HD

So what I'm hoping to do with my home theater is experience these with HDMI video and surround sound. I've found that Onkyo seems to have some pretty great looking HTiB's for a pretty affordable price. My only concern is that in Cnet's review of the Onkyo HT-S9100THX (http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/onkyo-ht-s9100thx/4505-6740_7-33332676.html) it claimed that its 'upconverting video is mediocre'. What does that exactly mean? Would that affect the video quality of my XBOX 360, PS3, Apple TV and Media Server that use the HDMI?

If anyone knows of a better (but still reasonably affordable) Onkyo HTiB that would be great! ;)
Also, if anyone is familiar with this particular model, please let me know.

THANKS!!!

#2

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8/24/09 at 9:44am

Stephen Tu
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Joined: April 1999
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Quote:

it claimed that its 'upconverting video is mediocre'. What does that exactly mean? Would that affect the video quality of my XBOX 360, PS3, Apple TV and Media Server that use the HDMI?

It means the circuitry inside the receiver that converts from analog sources to HDMI (composite -> HDMI, component->HDMI), or from one resolution to another (480i->1080i/1080p) isn't absolute top notch. It would only have effect if you actually utilized the feature. It can easily be bypassed, processing done in either the source or the TV instead.

We normally don't like HTiB solutions here (although the Onkyos are about as good as it gets for HTiB), because you generally get better speakers if you purchase separate receiver + separate speaker set. Decide whether you really have the room in the back for 7.1 vs. 5.1, and let us know your budget and we can give pointers.

#3

Rating: 0

8/24/09 at 10:30am

qcom100
Zach
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Joined: August 2009
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The post (for whatever reason) wouldn't let me reply so I just created a new account (*sigh*) and am replying now:

Ok, sounds good.

I forgot to mention that preferably, we'd like to have the speakers be wireless. Does wireless bring down the quality?

Budget for wireless: $2,500-3,000

Budget for wired: $1,500

I believe I've got the room for 7.1 over 5.1 (plus it would make the experience all the better right? Besides being more expensive...)

#4

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8/24/09 at 10:51am

Stephen Tu
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Wireless is lower quality. Also "wireless" systems aren't completely wireless, basically they eliminate the speaker wire from the receiver to the speaker, but you still have to plug the receiving module in, plus run wire from the module to the speakers. So you have wires going across the back of the room still, just not from front to back. If this is what you want, any system can be made wireless with some Rocketfish modules (~$110 each pair) from Best Buy.

For a $1500ish 7.1 system, for the receiver I'd look at the Onkyo 607 (5 rear HDMI, good for your situation with so many components). Speakers, look at svsound.com, hsuresearch.com, edesignaudio.com .

#5

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8/24/09 at 11:09am

qcom100
Zach
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Post Count: 10

Do you mean the Onkyo TX-SR607? 5 HDMI's sounds great (just in case I get another component that uses HDMI.

Can you give me a recommended series form svsound? Does the LTS-01 series coming out later this year, sound good?

But as far as wireless and wired, do most people that are serious about there home theater setup use wired then? It seems like the setup would be hard but the end result would be well worth it.

Does the Onkyo TX-SR607 give me the best possible video? What about audio?

I'm still just a little confused about the whole process so let me get this straight:

1. A cable signal comes out of the wall and into my Cox cable box for my actual television
2. All of my components that I listed above (XBOX 360, PS3, Apple TV, Media Server and Wii) actually connect right to the Onkyo TX-SR607 instead of connecting to my TV like they normally would
3. Then the receiver connects to my TV so that all of my components behave like they would normally
4. Is that all.

#6

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8/24/09 at 12:04pm

qcom100
Zach
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What about the Sony STR-DN1000 and the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K?

The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that a lot of reviews say that most AV Receivers' have pretty poor video processing.
Does that just mean when it's upconverting???

If so, then I shouldn't have a problem connecting my HDMI components right? Because they don't need to be 'upconverted'

Tell me if I'm wrong but I seem to be on the right path...

#7

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8/24/09 at 12:20pm

Stephen Tu
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Post Count: 1,573

Quote:

Do you mean the Onkyo TX-SR607?

Yes.

Quote:

Can you give me a recommended series form svsound? Does the LTS-01 series coming out later this year, sound good?

You'd be getting an SBS based system presumably. The LTS is positioned as their highest offering & way out of your budget range.

Quote:

But as far as wireless and wired, do most people that are serious about there home theater setup use wired then?

Yes, wired.

Quote:

Does the Onkyo TX-SR607 give me the best possible video? What about audio?

The audio is excellent, about as good as possible for your budget. The video conversion isn't the best, but like the HTiB you can just let the video pass through untouched, and let the display (or the source) deal with the processing. Going for better video processing would cost a ton more, and is only marginally better than what your sources/TV do anyway.

Quote:

1. A cable signal comes out of the wall and into my Cox cable box for my actual television
2. All of my components that I listed above (XBOX 360, PS3, Apple TV, Media Server and Wii) actually connect right to the Onkyo TX-SR607 instead of connecting to my TV like they normally would
3. Then the receiver connects to my TV so that all of my components behave like they would normally
4. Is that all.

Yes to all. I recommend TivoHD or the cable DVR in place of the cable box, eventually. Also recommend a Harmony universal remote, 670 or One, depending on budget ($70/$180) to simplify operation.

#8

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8/24/09 at 12:43pm

Stephen Tu
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Quote:

What about the Sony STR-DN1000 and the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K?

Those are OK, only 4 HDMI inputs though.

Quote:

The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that a lot of reviews say that most AV Receivers' have pretty poor video processing.
Does that just mean when it's upconverting???

Review could be referring to converting from analog to HDMI or deinterlacing/scaling between resolutions (480i -> 1080p) or both. It doesn't really matter too much. The TV you have (assuming modern fixed pixel LCD/plasma/DLP etc.) has a "native resolution" (typically 1920x1080 or 1366x768). Any signal not already at that native resolution has to be converted. You can convert at any of 3 places, the source itself (DVD/BD player, e.g. your PS3), the receiver, or the TV. If the receiver's conversion is "bad", you just bypass it & convert at either of the other 2 places. The TV will convert if neither of the other 2 did (and if it's a 768p set it will scale regardless). If you have non-HDMI source you can always just run component/composite to the TV and skip the conversion to HDMI for that source. Furthermore, the difference between "good" conversion and "bad" conversion often isn't that huge to begin with, it's a matter of a few artifacts (moire, jaggies, etc.) here & there on some scenes, slight softening of the picture particularly with motion, and often difficult for non-video experts to notice anyway, except with test patterns & certain torture test scenes.

#9

Rating: 0

8/24/09 at 12:52pm

qcom100
Zach
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Joined: August 2009
Post Count: 10

Quote:

You'd be getting an SBS based system presumably.

Sounds pretty good.

Quote:

Yes, wired.

Sound like more work, but for better quality, I understand.

Quote:

The video conversion isn't the best, but like the HTiB you can just let the video pass through untouched, and let the display (or the source) deal with the processing.

Okay, so I'd only need that if I wanted to make the quality even better, which isn't worth it unless you could totally afford it, right? And like you said, it wouldn't be a dramatic increase in quality. So basically, it will just be boosting the sound and let the video be exactly the same as it was if it wasn't going into the receiver, except it will be a little better because the video conversion 'isn't the best' but is still better than letting it go untouched.

Quote:

I recommend TivoHD or the cable DVR in place of the cable box, eventually.

Sorry, I actually have an HD Cox DVR... I just wasn't specific :)

Quote:

Also recommend a Harmony universal remote, 670 or One, depending on budget ($70/$180) to simplify operation.

Cool, I like having a good remote!

Is this the one you were talking about? (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/3898&cl=US,EN)

One final question.

Out of these three AV receivers, which one do you think would suit my needs best??

- Onkyo TX-SR607
- Sony STR-DN1000
- Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K

THANKS AGAIN!

#10

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8/24/09 at 2:40pm

Stephen Tu
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Quote:

So basically, it will just be boosting the sound and let the video be exactly the same as it was if it wasn't going into the receiver, except it will be a little better because the video conversion 'isn't the best' but is still better than letting it go untouched.

The sound will be a ton better than TV speakers. The video will be exactly the same, not "a little better", because you will be picking settings on the receiver that send the video through untouched.

Quote:

Cool, I like having a good remote!

Is this the one you were talking about? (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/3898&cl=US,EN)

Yes, that's the expensive one.

Quote:

Out of these three AV receivers, which one do you think would suit my needs best??

- Onkyo TX-SR607
- Sony STR-DN1000
- Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K

I'd go with the Onkyo, for the extra HDMI + some features like Audyssey EQ + dynamic volume which can be useful. Not tremendously huge differences though, speakers determine sound quality much more so than receivers.

#11

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8/24/09 at 3:06pm

David Willow
dewd
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Joined: January 2004
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Post Count: 1,116

Zach,

The video up-conversion is mostly for sources that are not already hi-def. Things like DVD players and SD cable boxes. In your case most everything you have is already more capable of delivering better video then any AVR in your budget. You would have to get at least the Onkyo 906 or higher to see and improvement (again, only for lower res sources - and it won't work miracles).

I will second the Onkyo/SVS recommendation. If your budget allows, go for the Onkyo 706 (better version of Audyssey). Don't sacrifice the speaker budget to get it, though. Be sure to get the biggest sub you can with the package. I will caution you that speaker taste is very personal. Listen to whatever package you get as much as you can for the first few weeks while you still have the option to exchange it.

My Home Theater
Our DVD Collection
Dolby and DTS Plaques (downloads)

#12

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8/24/09 at 3:28pm

qcom100
Zach
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Joined: August 2009
Post Count: 10

Thanks both Stephen especially and David as well for all of your help!

I am completely equipped with getting an awesome home theater for our home.

#13

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8/24/09 at 6:18pm

qcom100
Zach
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Joined: August 2009
Post Count: 10

So whadya guys think about this plan?

Receiver: Onkyo one from earlier
Speakers: SVS SBS-01 Home Theater Speaker System
Question: Is the speaker system that I chose compatible with the receiver from onkyo. Also, is it 5.1 or 7.1 because it seems to me it can be both. And it includes a sub, right? They are wired aren't they?

Thanks
Edited by qcom100 - 8/25/09 at 7:29am

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