Help me finding my home theater

[rgaino]

So now that I have my HD TV, my XBox 360 and Rock Band, it's time for a good sound system. The thing is, I don't know the first thing about home theaters. In fact I don't even know if I need a complete home theater or just a 5.1 speaker set.

I watch DVDs on my XBox with no problems. If I want to upgrade to HD-DVD I can just buy the Xbox HD-DVD player. I don't need a 5-DVD player, all I care is about the sound.

I have been browsing Amazon and the cheaper home theaters usually have no extra inputs, so I'm guessing that means I wouldn't be able to hook the XBox and get 5.1 out of it. Is that right? What do I need to make sure I'll get surround sound out of the games, dvd movies and cable tv?

Also, if I don't buy a complete home-theater, a 5.1 speaker set would suffice? Would I need a receiver?

The home theater that I found to be closer to what I need is the Samsung HT-X50 ($250 at Fry's).

Any hints are appreciated!

[LZ_Reborn]

This is the one I bought about a month ago, it's pretty modest but it sounds great, and the price is just right for tight budgets. It's not for big tv rooms though.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061026

[rgaino]

This is the one I bought about a month ago, it's pretty modest but it sounds great, and the price is just right for tight budgets. It's not for big tv rooms though.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061026

Thanks, but it has no HDMI inputs. Since my TV is 1080i I think I need those.

[LZ_Reborn]

Thanks, but it has no HDMI inputs. Since my TV is 1080i I think I need those.

Well if your TV has an optical audio output, then you can go that route. It's the next best thing to HDMI if you want digital audio.

[rgaino]

So the sound path would be something like

XBox -(via hdmi)-> TV -(via optical)-> receiver ?

[LZ_Reborn]

So the sound path would be something like

XBox -(via hdmi)-> TV -(via optical)-> receiver ?

Yes of course, otherwise only your Xbox would be able to beneffit from the sorround sound, what if you want to watch regular tv, cable or whatever?

Edit: that's how I have my setup hooked up

[funINfuneral]

i did a 1.5 month research for my home theater. i ended up getting a 5.1 system, Athena speaker package.
They sound great IMO.
it cost me about 1400 for everything including a receiever.

[rgaino]

it cost me about 1400 for everything including a receiever.

That's way beyond my budget. That's more than a Bose home theater probably.


So, all I need to make sure that the movies and games from the XBox get real surround sound is an optical input?

[BearFan51]

That's way beyond my budget. That's more than a Bose home theater probably.


So, all I need to make sure that the movies and games from the XBox get real surround sound is an optical input?


Remember BOSE stands for: Better Off Shopping Elsewhere.:D

I can put you on a path, but need info. How big is the room? What's your budget? Is there a wife/SO to contend with?

If it's a bedroom, go with a HTIB. (home theater in a box) If it's a larger room, and HTIB will likely disappoint. (especially in the subwoofer dept.)

[rgaino]

It's a living/dining/office room. It's a rectangle of about 6x20 feet (I'm guessing). It's big for a 1-bedroom apartment but the thing is that I probably couldn't put it too loud because of neighbors.

Yes, there is a wife, but I don't see how that influences your suggestions. :-)

There are 2 videos on youtube that is me playing RB on the room. It is blocked here so I can't put the link but if you search for user "rgaino"you can easily find it. You see that although it's a wide room, the distance between the TV and the wall is not much. Behind the camera is the dining table.

The budget is around 300$. Up to 400$ if it really makes a huge difference.

I would also like to use it to listen to my iPod and computer so an audio jack is quite important.

Thanks a lot!!

[BearFan51]

It's a living/dining/office room. It's a rectangle of about 6x20 feet (I'm guessing). It's big for a 1-bedroom apartment but the thing is that I probably couldn't put it too loud because of neighbors.

Yes, there is a wife, but I don't see how that influences your suggestions. :-)

There are 2 videos on youtube that is me playing RB on the room. It is blocked here so I can't put the link but if you search for user "rgaino"you can easily find it. You see that although it's a wide room, the distance between the TV and the wall is not much. Behind the camera is the dining table.

The budget is around 300$. Up to 400$ if it really makes a huge difference.

I would also like to use it to listen to my iPod and computer so an audio jack is quite important.

Thanks a lot!!

Google "WAF", or "Wife Acceptance Factor" :D Some ladies are awfully particular about these things. lol

Assuming 8 foot ceilings, you've got around 960 cu. ft. of space. A small sub should work ok.

This one is a bit higher than 400, at $480, but has no built in dvd player, so they can put that cost elsewhere, like a better power supply, better components, speakers, etc.

Onkyo (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-HT-SR800-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-HT-SR800/sem/rpsm/oid/177422/catOid/-13325/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do#prodspecs)

Onkyo's iPod dock works with this receiver, though it's (approx.) $130 more, so you can add it later. It had HDMI ports,7.1, and It's also more of a conventional A/V receiver= better than a HTIB.

If you can, I'd hold out, and save up. Try to double that budget, if possible. It will get you a better amplifier section, which is noticeable, even at lower volumes.

[rgaino]

Google "WAF", or "Wife Acceptance Factor" :D Some ladies are awfully particular about these things. lol/

I know. But this lady here is pretty cool and actually encourages me to do this kind of stuff. Lucky man I am.

Oh, and she's pretty hot too.

But I won't post her picture like that other kid did with his mom.

[BearFan51]

I know. But this lady here is pretty cool and actually encourages me to do this kind of stuff. Lucky man I am.

Yep, sounds like a keeper.
Warning: once you get started with the A/V stuff, upgrading gets addictive. I'm pretty lucky too, my wife goes along with a whole lot of my hobbies. (see this post) (http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showpost.php?p=190461&postcount=13)

She was my bass player for a few years, so she went along with my building up recording equipment for a home studio, as well as an ever-growing home theater set-up. Mine's a keeper too.:cool:

[RandomHero510]

Hi. Bose pretty much a waste of money and time. We have a Bose sound system in our living room and the sound it no different from my sony system in my room, my room is small. But our Bose cost about $900 just for the SPEAKERS and the SUB..it was on sale only $100 off. Also with bose you have plug in all the small speakers into the sub which is so stupid and bose makes it so that you can only use their products except the receiver. Just don't get bose.

P.S. and as for your TV don't use 1080i, because 1080i looks real bad and you shouldn't use, what you should use instead is 720p. Always use P instead of I.

[BearFan51]

Hi. Bose pretty much a waste of money and time. We have a Bose sound system in our living room and the sound it no different from my sony system in my room, my room is small. But our Bose cost about $900 just for the SPEAKERS and the SUB..it was on sale only $100 off. Also with bose you have plug in all the small speakers into the sub which is so stupid and bose makes it so that you can only use their products except the receiver. Just don't get bose.

See? it's not just me.:D


P.S. and as for your TV don't use 1080i, because 1080i looks real bad and you shouldn't use, what you should use instead is 720p. Always use P instead of I.

That depends on your tv's de-interlacing capabilities. I have one of Mitsubishi's first gen. 1080p sets, that doesn't accept 1080p inputs, but upconverts all input signals to 1080p. (this was corrected in the next gen.) Mine does an excellent job with 1080i signals, no noticeable difference in the up conversion from 720p.

[rgaino]

P.S. and as for your TV don't use 1080i, because 1080i looks real bad and you shouldn't use, what you should use instead is 720p. Always use P instead of I.

Sorry, I meant to say the TV is 1080p, not interlaced. Typo.

This is the home-theater that I think suits me the best: Samsung HT-X50 (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-HT-X50-5-1-Channel-5-Disc-Theater/dp/B000O1RDQE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197829006&sr=8-1).

Looks good enough for what I need, the price is good and I can buy a $100 wireless kit later to have wireless rear speakers.

Any objections? :-)

[SheepStampede]

Onkyo's are definitely a good HTIB. I have last year's model (790 I think) without HDMI but otherwise about the same. Good speakers and the bass works well. It certainly gets loud if I need it to.

One thing to note is the HDMI is pass through only, meaning it doesn't see the HDMI as an audio source. You'll have to use a separate cable (fiber optic or digital coax) for the audio connection to the receiver.

EDIT: If you're looking for cheap, that set will be ok for you, but it is lacking for sure from the Onkyo. I would certainly say that the 400 price range is what you'll pay for a quality HTIB. Sonys are good as well and your local BB will have a few others in that range as well that are good. I would pass though on any with the DVD player built into them.
If you only plan to hook up the 360, it's OK, but it only has 1 opitcal input, so if you later wanted to hook up another input (Satellite or PS3) you'd have problems. Also as you said you didn't need the DVD player it's certainly some money spent on nothing.

[BearFan51]

Sorry, I meant to say the TV is 1080p, not interlaced. Typo.

This is the home-theater that I think suits me the best: Samsung HT-X50 (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-HT-X50-5-1-Channel-5-Disc-Theater/dp/B000O1RDQE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197829006&sr=8-1).

Looks good enough for what I need, the price is good and I can buy a $100 wireless kit later to have wireless rear speakers.

Any objections? :-)

Personally, I prefer to stick to companies known for making sound equipment. (except Bose and Sony :D) Samsung makes a nice tv, but not sure if I trust their audio expertise. It might be fantastic, so I would recommend listening to it in person, if possible.

For well known reasons, see if it has a "direct" mode for use with RB. Disabling dolby digital in the game is fine, but most receivers default to dolby pro-logic mode, which also imparts delay to the signal.

Also, it has a 5 disk dvd changer, but if you were already planning to use your console for this, it's a feature you don't need. With that tight of a budget, I would really try and maximize my bang for the buck.

Bottom line, it's your money. If you listen to it, and love it, you made the right choice. But do listen to it before you buy.

[rgaino]

For well known reasons, see if it has a "direct" mode for use with RB. Disabling dolby digital in the game is fine, but most receivers default to dolby pro-logic mode, which also imparts delay to the signal.

Not sure I understand this. Can you pretend you are explaining it to a 8 years old :-)

But thanks for all the tips. I'll sure try it before I buy, if I buy it.

[BearFan51]

Not sure I understand this. Can you pretend you are explaining it to a 8 years old :-)

But thanks for all the tips. I'll sure try it before I buy, if I buy it.

You type very well for 8! :D:D

Direct (or similar) mode bypasses all processing circuitry in the audio section, and passes sound directly.