Home Theater Setup

[ShakeNBakes]

Originally Posted by The Spocker

thanks for the help SnB. the model I am looking at is neither of those listed

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703058141

Originally Posted by product specs

Inputs: 1 A/V (rear), 1 component video, 1 optical digital audio, 1 coaxial digital audio, 2 stereo audio

you're still good based on these specs. Now just hope either your PS3 or DVR has a coax digital output.

[ShakeNBakes]

Originally Posted by The Spocker

I was reading consumer reviews, and someone was saying that he was only able to get his DVR to be running through it because of the inputs. and everything else was running sound through the TV. is he an idiot or is that accurate?

I guess my basic question is, if I buy this unit, will i get surround sound through everything (PS3, DVR, DVD)? If it's a yes, then this unit is for me.

he sounds like an idiot. Actually, if I was to guess, I'd say he probably had everything else going to his TV via HDMI (which carries sound and video signals), and then ran audio cables to the HTIB. If he was less of an idiot, he could have also wired audio from a couple other sources directly to the HTIB.

short answer, yes*

*keeping in mind I'm not an expert. I just play one on the internets.

ok, I picked up the last one at my best buy... still deciding if I want to open it...

[sticks1839]

I had a similar problem with my HTIB surround system. I have 2 DVR boxes and a PS3 that I wanted to use the one optical audio input, and I wanted it to work with my universal remote. I got a 3 port switch that has digital optical audio inputs to use, so that everything is pure digital 5.1 DTS surround sound.

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Comp.../ref=de_a_smtd

I only use it for the digital audio inputs. All my video goes straight to the TV using HDMI/DVI and component.

[sticks1839]

I briefly had one DVR box connected using RCA and the difference is night and day. The digital input is just so much better, especially on HD stations that transmit high quality 5.1 sound.

Works great for me until I make the move to separate audio receiver when I move.

ooh, that is of great use. I too want to use the optical for sound. thanks!

btw, I opened it. the sound is fantastic.

does this also do the trick?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

[Incredible Hulctuary]

Originally Posted by Wannabe Actuary

I tried changing the output resolution from 'Through' to 480p, 720p, 1080i, and Auto....same result. Video for a moment, then nothing. Pending a response of something else to try, I'll be calling tech support. I really did want everything to just go to the tv via HDMI so that I didn't have to have the tv change inputs (meaning quicker start time from the harmony remote and the setup), but if for some reason it can't handle the Wii I will have to decide between keeping the receiver and running the video separately, or returning the receiver and trying something else. Seems like quite a few people are having problems with the upconversion of the Wii signal from component inputs....seems pretty ridiculous to me.

Many receivers simply won't upconvert a signal from component cables. That is an extension of the movie studios bullying the manufacturers into banning DVD players from upconverting over component cables, in their misguided efforts to combat piracy. Still, some players and receivers will upconvert if the component video signal is not from a copy-protected DVD, but some players and receivers don't try to distinguish; they just flat out don't upconvert to or from component cables.

But it's odd that you can't even get a 480i or 480p signal to work. Did you try 480i?

Anyway, for gaming it's better to have the TV directly hooked up to the source, in order to remove the extra lag that would be introduced by going through the receiver. There is always a lag introduced when you route it through the receiver, even if it's too small for you to consciously notice it (but you'll notice it if you split the signal and used two TVs with one through the receiver).

[Wannabe Actuary]

Originally Posted by Incredible Hulctuary

Many receivers simply won't upconvert a signal from component cables. That is an extension of the movie studios bullying the manufacturers into banning DVD players from upconverting over component cables, in their misguided efforts to combat piracy. Still, some players and receivers will upconvert if the component video signal is not from a copy-protected DVD, but some players and receivers don't try to distinguish; they just flat out don't upconvert to or from component cables.

But it's odd that you can't even get a 480i or 480p signal to work. Did you try 480i?

Anyway, for gaming it's better to have the TV directly hooked up to the source, in order to remove the extra lag that would be introduced by going through the receiver. There is always a lag introduced when you route it through the receiver, even if it's too small for you to consciously notice it (but you'll notice it if you split the signal and used two TVs with one through the receiver).

I haven't gotten to play around with it too much...but I have gotten it to somewhat work.

seems like something in the settings of the Wii got reset when everything was unhooked...the Wii get reset to a 480i signal. once I changed it back to 480p, the signal is solid and doesn't go away*...

*and now the details...the menu is solid, the game plays is solid...the 'messages' area and the Wii avatar area vanish and the few screens between the main menu and the actual game play vanish...if you can navigate by feel, and get to the gameplay it works fine in the game....

in short, I think it's actually a problem with the Wii signal being completely different on those few screens...

[sticks1839]

Originally Posted by The Spocker

btw, I opened it. the sound is fantastic.

does this also do the trick?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Yeah, that'll work too. I used one of those initially, but got tired of getting up to switch the audio source.