The Home Audio/Video Thread

[itjustWoRX]

Alright...this one is for Chris, Danz, and the others. We can talk about anything A/V related, and possibly dabble in HD media if we're lazy and don't feel like moving the the HD thread. Plus I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I CANNOT deal with most of the people on the AVS forums.

I'll start things off: I'm going to be completing my audio setup with a set of surround speakers. I've been 3.1 for a couple years after my set of surrounds disappeared (courtesy of my brother). I'm looking at the Polk M10 series bookshelves, although I'd like to go smaller. I already have good Polk towers, center, and sub...I just need something to complete the 5.1.

Also...I'm a bit confused with all the new audio formats (DTS HD, DD+, TrueHD, etc.). I know I can't actually use these because I have an older receiver, it doesn't even have component inputs. It does have digital optical and coaxial audio inputs though.
Right now I have my HDDVD player and PS3 hooked up via HDMI directly to my television. My TV has both the regular "audio out" as well as a "digital (coax) audio out." If I connect my television to my receiver with the digital coaxial cable, will I be able to listen to dolby digital sound? Or will it only be a 2ch output to my speakers? I guess the only other alternative is to hook up my HD/BD players audio directly to my receiver via optical.

Dudes, help me out here.

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[chris619]

There we go.

I'll be contributing quite a bit

[itjustWoRX]

I was in Circuit ****ty today picking up a digital audio cable and checking out open box deals on bookshelf/surround speakers. I couldn't believe they actually had this badass little KEF 5.1 HTIAB. I couldn't find a price on it, but I didn't even think KEF had a large distributor in the states.


Just got a copy of "Michael Clayton," so I'm gonna check that out tonight

[hkerekes]

Originally Posted by itjustWoRX

Alright...this one is for Chris, Danz, and the others. We can talk about anything A/V related, and possibly dabble in HD media if we're lazy and don't feel like moving the the HD thread. Plus I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I CANNOT deal with most of the people on the AVS forums.

I'll start things off: I'm going to be completing my audio setup with a set of surround speakers. I've been 3.1 for a couple years after my set of surrounds disappeared (courtesy of my brother). I'm looking at the Polk M10 series bookshelves, although I'd like to go smaller. I already have good Polk towers, center, and sub...I just need something to complete the 5.1.

Also...I'm a bit confused with all the new audio formats (DTS HD, DD+, TrueHD, etc.). I know I can't actually use these because I have an older receiver, it doesn't even have component inputs. It does have digital optical and coaxial audio inputs though.
Right now I have my HDDVD player and PS3 hooked up via HDMI directly to my television. My TV has both the regular "audio out" as well as a "digital (coax) audio out." If I connect my television to my receiver with the digital coaxial cable, will I be able to listen to dolby digital sound? Or will it only be a 2ch output to my speakers? I guess the only other alternative is to hook up my HD/BD players audio directly to my receiver via optical.

Dudes, help me out here.

If you get the right reciever you can connect everything to the reciever and then only one cable to your TV.

Cables even at monoprice add up really quick.

[itjustWoRX]

Originally Posted by O2wrx

If you get the right reciever you can connect everything to the reciever and then only one cable to your TV.

Cables even at monoprice add up really quick.

I know I know...I'd love a new HDMI capable receiver but I can't afford that just now.

To make things worse...I plugged my digital coax cable from my TV to my receiver and I get no sound at all but when I switch back to analog I get sound. I guess nothing is passing through the tv (player->TV->receiver) or I need to dig up my H/K reciever manual.

[robmarch]

Originally Posted by itjustWoRX

I was in Circuit ****ty today picking up a digital audio cable

*cringe*

[MikalsWRX]

SO who do you think is going to win, HD or Blu ray?
































.

[itjustWoRX]

Yeah, no dice. I guess I need to hook it up directly from the HD/BD player to get the digital to pass. Which also means I bought a useless cable because both my A3 and PS3 only use optical

[beethoven]

What would you recommend for a good sub-$500 center channel? New or Used...I don't care (although it usually hard to find particular models used).

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by itjustWoRX

I'll start things off: I'm going to be completing my audio setup with a set of surround speakers. I've been 3.1 for a couple years after my set of surrounds disappeared (courtesy of my brother). I'm looking at the Polk M10 series bookshelves, although I'd like to go smaller. I already have good Polk towers, center, and sub...I just need something to complete the 5.1.

Also...I'm a bit confused with all the new audio formats (DTS HD, DD+, TrueHD, etc.). I know I can't actually use these because I have an older receiver, it doesn't even have component inputs. It does have digital optical and coaxial audio inputs though.
Right now I have my HDDVD player and PS3 hooked up via HDMI directly to my television. My TV has both the regular "audio out" as well as a "digital (coax) audio out." If I connect my television to my receiver with the digital coaxial cable, will I be able to listen to dolby digital sound? Or will it only be a 2ch output to my speakers? I guess the only other alternative is to hook up my HD/BD players audio directly to my receiver via optical.

Dudes, help me out here.

buy my RT35is for rear speakers... problem solved...

as far as DTS HD, DD+, TrueHD... does your receiver have 6 channel analog inputs? if so you can use these for lossless and hi res formats, providing your players have 6 channel analog out... if not, you gotta pony up for a Onkyo 605...

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by beethoven

What would you recommend for a good sub-$500 center channel? New or Used...I don't care (although it usually hard to find particular models used).

polk CSi3... you can find it for $150...

this depends on what other speakers you are running though... it might be too small if you have some serious speakers...

[DanzBorin]

Got my RTi8s in... they need to be broken in and I need to tweak the settings on the receiver, but they look nice for sure...

[itjustWoRX]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

buy my RT35is for rear speakers... problem solved...

as far as DTS HD, DD+, TrueHD... does your receiver have 6 channel analog inputs? if so you can use these for lossless and hi res formats, providing your players have 6 channel analog out... if not, you gotta pony up for a Onkyo 605...

Argh. The PS3 and A3 only have optical and 2 ch. Looks like I'll be enjoying simulated 5.1 for quite awhile.

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by itjustWoRX

Argh. The PS3 and A3 only have optical and 2 ch. Looks like I'll be enjoying simulated 5.1 for quite awhile.

you can get real 6 channel with optical... just not advanced audio...

always pick the best sound option (ie trueHD) and let the player sent a downconverted mix over optical... it'll still sound better than vanilla dolby digital...

can we also use this thread to hock used HT equipment?

[itjustWoRX]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

you can get real 6 channel with optical... just not advanced audio...

always pick the best sound option (ie trueHD) and let the player sent a downconverted mix over optical... it'll still sound better than vanilla dolby digital...

What should I do with the coax cable I bought...it's opened, but I have absolutely no use for it now. I wonder if I could just say I bought the wrong cable and ask for store credit?

[tacomaprime]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

Got my RTi8s in... they need to be broken in and I need to tweak the settings on the receiver, but they look nice for sure...

Breaking in speakers? Please elaborate

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by itjustWoRX

What should I do with the coax cable I bought...it's opened, but I have absolutely no use for it now. I wonder if I could just say I bought the wrong cable and ask for store credit?

give it a whirl... can't hurt...

[TGC]

Originally Posted by ADIDAS

Breaking in speakers? Please elaborate

Speakers tend to be pretty stiff when you first get them. Breaking them in, if I remember correctly from my circuit city days , is best to run ~8-12 hours classical music through them to help them stretch out and relax a bit.

Classical music tends to be the best because it is usually a softer music, that reach most ranges the speaker can put out.

In reality, it isn't going to make a HUGE difference, but can help. It's mainly an audiophile thing

this sound right Danz?

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by ADIDAS

Breaking in speakers? Please elaborate

most speakers are made from a fabric that is then painted...

as they are used, the paint will loosen up allowing the speakers to move more... the sound will improve as they loosen up...

http://www.newformresearch.com/breakin.htm

some think it's phooey... but the theory seems sound... and what'll it hurt...

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by TallGuy108

Speakers tend to be pretty stiff when you first get them. Breaking them in, if I remember correctly from my circuit city days , is best to run ~8-12 hours classical music through them to help them stretch out and relax a bit.

Classical music tends to be the best because it is usually a softer music, that reach most ranges the speaker can put out.

In reality, it isn't going to make a HUGE difference, but can help. It's mainly an audiophile thing

this sound right Danz?

yup...

full range music is good... jazz will also fit the bill...

basically just don't blare them for a couple of days and try to keep something playing when you aren't home (which my dumb arse forgot to do this morning before work... )

[tacomaprime]

Originally Posted by DanzBorin

yup...

full range music is good... jazz will also fit the bill...

basically just don't blare them for a couple of days and try to keep something playing when you aren't home (which my dumb arse forgot to do this morning before work... )

Whoops. I played mine already and didn't break them in, am I screwed. LOL.

[DanzBorin]

Originally Posted by ADIDAS

Whoops. I played mine already and didn't break them in, am I screwed. LOL.

no different than a car really...

will it destroy them, no...

but it may give you a little more performance...

I never broke in any speakers and never had an issue... a co-worker just suggested it, so I thought i'd give it a whirl...

[TGC]

Originally Posted by ADIDAS

Whoops. I played mine already and didn't break them in, am I screwed. LOL.

I wouldn't worry about it. They'll most likely still last 10 years+ and sound about the same throughout their life.

I threw a party when I first got my set up and never broke them in properly. I played classical music for probably 4 hours before cranking up rock, rap and whatever else people played that night. 4 or 5 years later they are still sounding great.

my sound setup is
receiver: Onkio tx-ds696
Fronts: Polk RT1000i
Center: Polk CS400i
Rears: FX300i

[varmint007]

i need a recommendation for a decent but cheap 5.1 receiver
must have component inputs, HDMI is a plus, but not necessary...

can it be done for under $200

I have this now, and the receiver has teh suck:
http://www.slsloudspeakers.com/content/view/204/106/

[chris619]

@ mikal.

Anyways, so I get home and I see my beautiful Polk CSi3 waiting for me and of course...no speaker cables were included.

So my question is. What kind of Speaker Cable should I get ? 16 gauge? any suggestions?