HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

**RoyalBoyle78** · 03-21-2007, 06:25 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by Crucial Mike

What is everyone's thoughts on using hdmi cables with the hd box? Right now I'm using the component cables that came with the Rogers (Toronto) box but am just a bit curious as to what the digital cables would do. I've heard that HD will look better but SD might take a dip- I'd be totally fine with that.

Of course, price is an issue. The big boys like Best Buy obviously rip you off with $100+ cables. If I can find a cheaper one somewhere, do you guys definitely see the difference?

I couldn't tell a difference when i was using HDMI to component..

**AI03** · 03-21-2007, 10:26 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

What kind of Home theaters do you all have? (Not sure if this should go here or in the technology thread, but here goes anyways...). Two questions:

1) I want to buy an HDTV in a couple months, should prices go down any more? I would like to get a nice 1080p HDTV for around $1000 or less. Is it possible to purchase one from a reputable company?

2) What kind of home theater systems do you have? There is a 7.1 Onyko system for around $300 on Amazon I was looking at. Would you all recommend that one? If I were to get a PS3, would it still get surround sound even without an HDMI input? Not really sure how it would work without the HDMI on the Onyko surround system. Is there a better 7.1 system that is cheap with an HDMI cable available.

Thanks for your help!

**JohnnytheSkin** · 03-22-2007, 11:51 AM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by AI03

What kind of Home theaters do you all have? (Not sure if this should go here or in the technology thread, but here goes anyways...). Two questions:

1) I want to buy an HDTV in a couple months, should prices go down any more? I would like to get a nice 1080p HDTV for around $1000 or less. Is it possible to purchase one from a reputable company?

2) What kind of home theater systems do you have? There is a 7.1 Onyko system for around $300 on Amazon I was looking at. Would you all recommend that one? If I were to get a PS3, would it still get surround sound even without an HDMI input? Not really sure how it would work without the HDMI on the Onyko surround system. Is there a better 7.1 system that is cheap with an HDMI cable available.

Thanks for your help!

1. I'm not sure what you mean by "reputable" company, but prices will continue to fall this year for LCD and Plasma based technologies...putting them more in line with the rear projection market (LCD, LCos/SXRD, DLP). Not sure about a 1080p set for your price range, but you should be able to find a quality 720p set, and your games and HD programming will look great at that resolution.

2. I assume the Onkyo you are referencing is the HTS-790, which has been one of the most popular and higher quality "home theater in a box" systems for the last few years. Onkyo makes quality stuff, and while a 7.1 system might be overkill (the only way you'll utilize the sixth and seventh channels are on Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES tracks, as those rear surrounds are mono). I have the Onkyo 990THX which utilizes the 7.1 through their THX audio modes. The receiver I have has three optical and one coaxial audio input, three input and one output component video switching, as well as analog audio inputs.

To answer the system question, I currently have the following:

Sony 50" KDS-R50XBR1 1080p SXRD
Onkyo HT-S990THX 7.1 System

and I just purchased (delivery next week) a:

Mitsubishi WD-57831 1080p DLP

**Crucial Mike** · 03-22-2007, 11:53 AM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Thanks for the hdmi feedback guys....I guess the good thing is that you can always return cables if you aren't satisfied. Worth a shot!

**sbmnky** · 03-23-2007, 03:43 AM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by GAMEC0CK2002

Ditto. monoprice is the way to go.

i have two different friends making the jump to HD and they are contemplating buying monster cables! i had to quickly show them monoprice. such a great site.

**AI03** · 03-25-2007, 10:00 AM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by JohnnytheSkin

1. I'm not sure what you mean by "reputable" company, but prices will continue to fall this year for LCD and Plasma based technologies...putting them more in line with the rear projection market (LCD, LCos/SXRD, DLP). Not sure about a 1080p set for your price range, but you should be able to find a quality 720p set, and your games and HD programming will look great at that resolution.

2. I assume the Onkyo you are referencing is the HTS-790, which has been one of the most popular and higher quality "home theater in a box" systems for the last few years. Onkyo makes quality stuff, and while a 7.1 system might be overkill (the only way you'll utilize the sixth and seventh channels are on Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES tracks, as those rear surrounds are mono). I have the Onkyo 990THX which utilizes the 7.1 through their THX audio modes. The receiver I have has three optical and one coaxial audio input, three input and one output component video switching, as well as analog audio inputs.

To answer the system question, I currently have the following:

Sony 50" KDS-R50XBR1 1080p SXRD
Onkyo HT-S990THX 7.1 System

and I just purchased (delivery next week) a:

Mitsubishi WD-57831 1080p DLP

Thanks for the reply...was looking to get a PS3 in a couple months, but was wondering if you can still get good quality sound from the PS3 with component rather than HDMI. Not really sure if you can answer that, but maybe someone else can.

Was also wondering if there are still problems hooking up a surround system with a PS3???

I'll probably be looking for a 5.1/6.1 Onkyo surround system with HDMI input.

Thanks again!

**JohnnytheSkin** · 03-25-2007, 10:38 AM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

To get surround sound from any game system you need to connect an optical audio cable from your system to the receiver. HDMI, of course, can carry the surround sound signals as well.

**Fresh Tendrils** · 03-25-2007, 08:16 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

All I need to hook up a HDMI is just one cable right?

**CaptainZombie** · 03-25-2007, 08:20 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by AI03

Thanks for the reply...was looking to get a PS3 in a couple months, but was wondering if you can still get good quality sound from the PS3 with component rather than HDMI. Not really sure if you can answer that, but maybe someone else can.

Was also wondering if there are still problems hooking up a surround system with a PS3???

I'll probably be looking for a 5.1/6.1 Onkyo surround system with HDMI input.

Thanks again!

Onkyo 604 is the receiver that your looking for to do full audio/video passthrough.

**AI03** · 03-26-2007, 02:39 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Do you actually have to buy a receiver to hook these badboys up?? You can't just use an HDMI cable from the PS3 to HDTV, and Component Cables from HDTV to Surround Sound System for the speakers? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but just trying to figure it out.

Really not sure, as I was planning on getting a surround sound system, hdtv, and ps3..yikes that's gonna cost quite a bit.

I'm probably not going to spend all-out once I enter the "real world" this summer. I was looking at getting a nice 42" 1080p with a new PS3, but I don't think the $1800 HDTV will be worth it. I'd like to spend no more than $1000 on a nice LDC 720p/1080i from a company like pana, sony, or sharp (Hopefully).

I'm also looking at getting the $270 Onkyo 5.1 system. Not really worth it IMO to spend upwards of $900 for a 7.1 system or one that has HDMI for my bedroom...

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

**fishepa** · 03-26-2007, 04:45 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Do you actually have to buy a receiver to hook these badboys up?? You can't just use an HDMI cable from the PS3 to HDTV, and Component Cables from HDTV to Surround Sound System for the speakers? Sorry for my lack of knowledge, but just trying to figure it out.

If you want the sound to come out of the speakers connected to the receiver, then you have to connect the audio from the PS3 directly to the receiver. You can use the HDMI cable to the TV for the picture, but you'll have to use an optical cable connected to the receiver for the sound. If that makes sense...

**ODogg** · 03-26-2007, 05:28 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by fishepa

If you want the sound to come out of the speakers connected to the receiver, then you have to connect the audio from the PS3 directly to the receiver. You can use the HDMI cable to the TV for the picture, but you'll have to use an optical cable connected to the receiver for the sound. If that makes sense...

he could also connect his PS3 to his tv using the component or optical and then run his tv output to his stereo if the stereo doesn't have the hdmi input

**AI03** · 03-26-2007, 05:32 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by ODogg

he could also connect his PS3 to his tv using the component or optical and then run his tv output to his stereo if the stereo doesn't have the hdmi input

The Onkyo 590 5.1 system doesn't have hdmi input...but I didn't think I would need to buy a receiver...could I hook my TV and PS3 up to that system with optical?

**fishepa** · 03-26-2007, 05:39 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by ODogg

he could also connect his PS3 to his tv using the component or optical and then run his tv output to his stereo if the stereo doesn't have the hdmi input

There is no point in that, just run the optical cable straight to the receiver. Running it to the TV won't accomplish anything.

**CaptainZombie** · 03-26-2007, 06:06 PM

Re: HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

Originally posted by fishepa

If you want the sound to come out of the speakers connected to the receiver, then you have to connect the audio from the PS3 directly to the receiver. You can use the HDMI cable to the TV for the picture, but you'll have to use an optical cable connected to the receiver for the sound. If that makes sense...

Originally posted by ODogg

he could also connect his PS3 to his tv using the component or optical and then run his tv output to his stereo if the stereo doesn't have the hdmi input

Originally posted by AI03

The Onkyo 590 5.1 system doesn't have hdmi input...but I didn't think I would need to buy a receiver...could I hook my TV and PS3 up to that system with optical?

Originally posted by fishepa

There is no point in that, just run the optical cable straight to the receiver. Running it to the TV won't accomplish anything.

ODogg, like Fish said, it is best if AI03 takes the HDMI from the PS3 and connects it to the TV. Then takes the optical cable from the PS3 connected to the receiver for the audio. Connecting into the TV and then connecting to the receiver won't give you the same results. You always want that optical from the PS3 going directly to the receiver. Then AI03 will need to make sure that he has Video on the PS3 selected via HDMI and then audio selected via Optical.

I hope that this helps.

HDTV Questions and Answers Thread

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