Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

[SoMiss2000]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

The Onkyo system is a full home theater in a box. The first certified THX system, hence the premium price over the near identical Onkyo HT-S790.

I have the 6.1 Onkyo HT in a box and I love it. I've had it for about 2 years now. It's pretty good and I don't even have all the speakers hooked up since 2 of my stands were broken in the move almost two years ago and I never replaced them. The two front speakers and sub have the living room shaking. I think i'm going to go ahead and buy new stands this weekend though with 2k7 coming out.

[fishepa]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

but I do know that for DTS-ES sound you need a 6.1 setup to hear it

That is true, however I just can't see it being that HUGE of a difference to upgrade from a 5.1 setup.

[SoMiss2000]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

Pretty much all games and HD tv is dolby digital 5.1 .............DVD's usually have multiple sound formats so you can choose.

The only DVD that I have that uses the full 6.1 that I have is Final Destination 2.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

That is true, however I just can't see it being that HUGE of a difference to upgrade from a 5.1 setup.

Agreed, I've heard 6.1 setup's, they didn't blow me away compared to my 5.1 setup. To each their own I guess.

[neovsmatrix]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

I agree, I don't see the point for 7.1 in a house, but whatever floats your boat.

I switched from 5.1 to a 7.1 system. I thought it was a big difference, there was much more depth to the soundfield, and it truly felt like you were in the middle of the movie. Movies like the Incredibles, Gladiator, etc. really take advantage of this.

[poster]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

What is the advantage to having a HDMI hookup on your reciever. I have one on my HDTV, but it goes to my DVR. Does it provide a cleaner sound for your system, and is it that much of a difference?

In looking at this system it has 2 HDMI ports which might be the reason it is more expensive?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

This system doesn't have HDMI and is cheaper.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Speci...cation.do#tabs

Thoughts?

[SportsorDeath]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

Well, the main benefit right now is just the ability to hook it up to the receiver to use it as a video switcher. If your tv only has 1 HDMI input, as a lot do, this will allow you to hook 2 devices up as opposed to one. The HDMI inputs on these receivers right now just act as pass-throughs, so it won't improve picture quality or anything like that, but eventually with HDMI 1.3, it will allow for the video and digital audio to all be passed through the one cable.

[pk500]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

The sound system, no doubt. It offers an enhanced viewing experience EVERY time you turn on your TV, not just when you play games.

What's wrong with a 360? That system is next-gen and it seems to be hitting its stride a bit now.

Or better yet, why not save the money? Put it into a retirement account or a mutual fund account for a rainy day, home improvement, kids' college fund, emergency fund. You already have a game console and a nice home stereo, so why do you need more? Save for the future, especially since you already have nice A/V and gaming rigs for the present.

Take care,
PK

[poster]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

Well, the main benefit right now is just the ability to hook it up to the receiver to use it as a video switcher. If your tv only has 1 HDMI input, as a lot do, this will allow you to hook 2 devices up as opposed to one. The HDMI inputs on these receivers right now just act as pass-throughs, so it won't improve picture quality or anything like that, but eventually with HDMI 1.3, it will allow for the video and digital audio to all be passed through the one cable.

So basically I should keep my HDMI plugged into my DVR. Thanks for the input. Is HDMI 1.3 in our near future or is it a ways away.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

Well to update, I just finished placing the order for the Onkyo THX home theater system and the Oppo DV-970HD HDMI upconverting DVD player...grand total of around $1200. By saving the money on the DVD player and resisting the HD-DVD/BluRay plunge (until LOTR and Star Wars come out for one of the formats that is) I'm going to pick up a Harmony remote to complement the new system.

The good news also is that it looks like I'll be able to afford a PS3 or Wii (operative word being "OR"). I might just buy all the upcoming 360 games and wait until next year though for a new console.

My new conundrum is looking for speaker stands...specifically something to mount my center speaker on my SXRD. Does anyone have any help with this problem? I can place it under the display as I have it now, but would prefer it on top.

Thanks for the help and I'll post impressions if desired. Should be a fun weeked

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

Well to update, I just finished placing the order for the Onkyo THX home theater system and the Oppo DV-970HD HDMI upconverting DVD player...grand total of around $1200. By saving the money on the DVD player and resisting the HD-DVD/BluRay plunge (until LOTR and Star Wars come out for one of the formats that is) I'm going to pick up a Harmony remote to complement the new system.

The good news also is that it looks like I'll be able to afford a PS3 or Wii (operative word being "OR"). I might just buy all the upcoming 360 games and wait until next year though for a new console.

My new conundrum is looking for speaker stands...specifically something to mount my center speaker on my SXRD. Does anyone have any help with this problem? I can place it under the display as I have it now, but would prefer it on top.

Thanks for the help and I'll post impressions if desired. Should be a fun weeked

I need your disposable income.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Upgrade Help: Home Theater vs. Game Consoles

I need your disposable income.

My wife gets a 30k "moving bonus" every year that we're not in Colorado (her home office). Since we are NEVER going back to Colorado as she's too important, it makes things a bit easier.

That being said, there are way too many toys out there, and I really have to tone it down...especially since we are going to go the private school route in two years for my son.