REDZMAN

Okay, after moving and getting some of our major expenses out of the way, the next one on my list is to replace my crappy JVC HTIB setup I have at home.

I'm very interested in the following...

1. 7.1 surround sound.
2. At least 2 HDMI inputs, 3 or 4 would be nicer.
3. Wireless capability or possibly an option for it (just for rears). Not 100% necessary, as I've been looking at stand alone setups for this.
4. DVD player with 1080P upscaling.

The kicker is I want one that acts as a decent passthrough for HDMI, as most I've seen use HDMI, and then a secondary audio cable.

What am I hooking up?

I'm hooking up 2 42 inch flat screen LCD's to it (so I'm looking at HDMI splitters on Monoprice.com ), a Xbox 360 via HDMI, my Comcast DVR (HDMI), and want the best hookups for the surround.

Now I know that I can also run all of this stuff to one of the TV's, then have it do digital audio out with a optical cable to the receiver too, so this is a possiblity. I'm looking at spending under $600, as I've seen some very well rated sets at $499.


With this setup I'll have the capability to play what I want on my TV, my wife or son can play what they want on theirs, and if we are watching movies together or whatever, we can have the same on both.

I've been looking at...

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electro...000000000005702
^^^
$499 at Costco. Not sure about the passthrough on it, but has blueray. I could care less about blueray though.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...=11&NoMapp=

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=3419


Only other stuff...

1. I hate Sony products, please, don't recommend them.
2. I'd prefer 7.1, but 5.1 is doable.
3. I could care less if it is refurbished, extended warranties will cover anything else.
4. Could care less about IPOD capabilities as i hate them, but USB or SD card stuff would be a bonus.

I'm still looking, so this will probably be updated soon.


BUMP!

Anybody?

I'm shopping for a HDMi splitter right now for the output from the Home Theater to the 2 TV's, gonna pick up a few longer cables too from Monoprice.com

Here's the splitter I'm lookin at.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....at=1#largeimage

Good reviews.

Looking at some 10 foot or so long HDMI cables now, the current 2 I have are only 6 foot, I don't think they are long enough.

javageek

I have an Onkyo system but it is about 6 years old now. I have not had a problem with it at all and have been extremely satisfied with it. I went to their site to see what there new products are and am pretty impressed.

This one has 4 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output, Sirius ready, and iPod dock (who knows, you may get one someday). MSRP is $599.
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S52...Systems&p=i

REDZMAN

Java, thanks, yeah that's the one I have in my first post, last link. LOL

$494.

I'm seriously considering it, just would prefer to have something with a full HDMi passthrough rather than having to run audio separately.

javageek

Sorry, I didn't look at your links. My system is an older 6.1 pre-HDMI and I really don't think I will be upgrading it anytime soon. My TV has 5 HDMI ports on it and a digital audio out. I run the dig audio out to my receiver and let it do it's work. I need to get some HDMI cables though, and a blue ray player.

REDZMAN

HDMI Cables are less than $5 for 10 foot ones, color coded, at monoprice.com

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepar...amp;cp_id=10240

I love their cables.

So you just run everything to your TV, and then one set from the TV to the receiver?

That would probably be the best for me. I think I'll get that setup and try it for 30 days, they have a guarantee.

javageek

^^ The only thing I have running to my receiver as far as inputs go is an optical cable from the flatscreen. I am lazy and figured that was the easiest way to do it so when I turn on the xbox all I have to change is the input source on the TV.