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help with setup

post #1 of 5
7/8/09 at 10:10pm
Thread Starter 
i plan on purchasing an HTIB with the following inputs/outputs,

1 analog audio input
1 hdmi output
1 optical digital input
1 composite video output
1 component video output

i plan on setting this up with a cable box with the following inputs/outputs

1 s-video ouput
1 rca-type video output
1 component video output
1 spdif coaxial or PCM audio output
1 optical digital or PCM audio output
1 L and R rca-type stereo audio output
1 hdmi output

and i also have an xbox 360 with an hdmi connection. now, can someone suggest the optimum connection for these 3 devices? i've been reading up on stuff but they are all pretty confusing. if someone can point me to the right direction, that would be great. thanks!
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post #2 of 5
7/8/09 at 11:34pm
One always goes output from one device to input of the other. So cable box optical out goes to optical in on the HTiB.  For video you'd run HDMI straight to the TV for all the devices.

However since the HTiB now only has one analog input left, you are now kind of stuck with that for the Xbox.  You won't be able to get digital surround from Xbox or if you get a Blu-ray player later, without getting an external switch to share the one optical connection.

So you can see already why we recommend against most of the cheaper HTiB here, hard to add additional components because of limited # & type of inputs. Some HTiB have a 2nd digital input, but receiver based systems are by far the best, with 3-4 digital audio inputs & 3+ HDMI inputs.  Plus the speakers on HTiBs generally aren't all that great.

What sort of budget do you have?  We can probably point you to another HTiB or receiver/speaker combo with better input flexibility.  Preferrably one where you can just use HDMI for everything, which is simplest.
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post #3 of 5
7/9/09 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 
thanks for the help stephen. i completely forgot to include the input/outputs of my hdtv. not sure if this will make a difference, but here it is,

Output
  • A/V (RCA Composite)
  • Audio - Digital Optical
Input
  • A/V (Composite)
  • Analog Coaxial(RF)
  • Component Video
  • HDMI
  • S-Video

my budget is around $400 but i might be willing to spend more. so if you have any suggestions, i'm open to it. thanks again.
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post #4 of 5
7/9/09 at 12:15am
Thread Starter 
thanks for the help stephen. i completely forgot to include the input/outputs of my hdtv. not sure if this will make a difference, but here it is,

INPUT/OUTPUT:		 .
Tuners Integrated ATSC
Photo Viewer Yes (SD Slot)
SD Card Slot Yes
CableCARD Ready

  • CableCARD Ready

  • Contact your local cable company for information regarding the availability and costs of CableCARD-related services.

 No
HDMI Input 2
DVI-HDCP

  • DVI-HDCP

  • Used by newer HDTV set-top boxes and DVD players, the DVI-HDCP connection allows the transmission of uncompressed, copy-protected digital content to your high definition display with stunning image fidelity and clarity.

  Interface
 No
Analog Audio Input (for HDMI) 2 rear
Composite Video Input 2 rear
S-Video Input 2 rear
Audio Input (for Video) 2 rear
PC Input (RGB-VGA) No
Audio Input (for PC) No
Component Video Input [Y, PB(CB), PR(CR)] 2 rear
Audio Input (for Component Video) 2 rear
Composite Video Output 1 rear
Audio Output 1 rear
Digital Audio Out 1
IR Out No

my budget is around $400 but i might be willing to spend more. so if you have any suggestions, i'm open to it. thanks again.
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post #5 of 5
7/9/09 at 8:45am
At $400, Sony STR-DH700 receiver, Yamaha NS-SP1800BL speakers. Both for ~$320 Amazon.  Use the Xbox for DVDs until ready for a Blu-ray player.

Spending more, can get better speakers, like an Energy Take Classic set, but that would push price up to ~$510.
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