htib - sony v. onkyo (1 Viewer)

[phkodack]

here's the deal...i have a 1080p DLP. want to hook up my hdmi cable, hdmi 1080p upscaling dvd, and PS3 (blue ray)...buying the ps3 soon.

if you can quickly check out the sony ht-7200dh vs onkyo ht-s5100, and let me know what would be better for me. i like 3 hdmi inputs on each. however, the sony is 5.1 and the onkyo is 7.1.

HOWEVER, this is where i'm in a bind....the HDMI. i read an article you posted about the video and sound traveling through the SONY HDMI port (which i like a lot!)...but not for the ONKYO, it seems that the onkyo needs separate audio connections (like digital coax or optical) in addition to the HDMI video. why is this? does this mean the sony will have better audio (because it is passing through HDMI)???

also, it seems that the ONKYO has better dolby settings than the SONY...

i want the best sound with devices running 1080p hdmi.....what do you think?

thank you very much, i really apprecaite any feedback. i've been on a 2 week mission obsessing over the small details of a HTIB that i want to purchase by the weekend =)

 

[troy evans]

Well, I for one don't like HTIB. It sounds like you have your heart set on one, though. Just by the two choices you've narrowed down my gut says ONKYO all the way. Again, I don't like HTIB. I think you should buy a really good receiver first and build your system from there. That's me, however.

 

[Ed Moxley]

The Onkyo has HDMI passthrough, so yes, you'll need to run optical cable too for DD and DTS audio. It kinda looks like you may get DD and DTS over HDMI, in the Sony, but I can't swear to it. The site isn't real clear on that. But neither one will process the new HD audio formats found on Blu ray movies. To get that, you'll need to step up to the Onkyo HT-S908........Onkyo HT-SP908 - 7.1-Channel Home Theater Package with iPod® Dock | Model Information | Onkyo USA Home Theater Products
I don't see a Sony HTIB that does the HD audio.

I agree with Troy though. You'll be happier in the long run, if you get a good receiver that processes the HD audio formats, and get a good speaker package. It's going to cost a little more doing that, but it is so worth it.
Good luck!

 

[Rich Allen]

Look at some of the Hsu or SVS speaker packages for great bang for the buck. They pick up a receiver and for not that much more money, you'll have something that will blow away any of those HTIBs.

Good luck with it.

 

[Bluzman]

Actually, the Sony HT-7200DH does do HD audio as long as the player does the decoding.

 

[Dave Moritz]

If you have speakers allready you might want to jump on this deal. I saw it at Fry's while I was shopping for Blu-rays today. I am not sure if other Fry's have it but the one in North Phoenix does. They had a Onkyo TX-SR805 on sale for $699 which is $100 cheaper than the retail of the 705. And basically $300 below MSRP, but I to would have to say that HTIB are not all that great. I would get yourself a nice good receiver and some good speakers. The 805 has a good amp section but needs plenty of ventalation as it runs hot. But it also does Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA decoding and has 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs.

Hope this helps?

 

[Ed Moxley]

I didn't read every little thing, about every system. I look to see what formats it does, and the page showed this:
dts®, Dolby® Digital and Dolby® Pro Logic® II decoding (AV Receiver)

I'll take your word for it though...........

 

[Bluzman]

I appreciate it but no need to take my word for it. From page 21 of the STR-DG720 manual: "You can enjoy multi channel Linear PCM only with an HDMI connection."