Hardware set up tips? NOOB

[giyad]

SORRY I WAS HAVING TROUBLE SUBMITTING THE POST AND IT ENDED UP GOING THROUGH TWICE, PLEASE POST IN THE OTHER THREAD....



So I'm new here... I was wondering if you guys could help me out. I just bought a Samsung LN-46A750 and wanted to set up a HT. I need a lot of help and I hope you guys can help me narrow down my search, or at least focus it.

This is what I want to do. I have a lot of ripped content on my external hard drive, a lot of HD content too. I want to stream this on my TV, as well as between my two other laptops at home. I plan to hook my TV up to a receiver via HDMI, and then connect the cable box via coax (or whatever you recommend) to the receiver. Now... what I want from you guys is help picking out a receiver, as well as helping me with the rest of the set up.

Obviously I would prefer not to use wires, but if that is going to spoil my experience streaming content, I guess that would be out of the question. So how do I connect my content (Music, video, photos, etc..) to my receiver/TV?

I'm thinking of either going with an HTPC (Home theater PC), or just using a wireless media center extender... what do you guys think? Should I get a NAS (networked attached storage) such as the ReadyNAS?

Sorry one more question, using an HTPC or the media center extender (with Vista Media Center) would both allow me to record as well right?

What receiver should I get, I would prefer it to be under $600...

 

[giyad]

<Strong>Sorry, the forum admin deleted the other post haha, post here!!<strong>

 

[Adam]

giyad, congrats on the new TV! Those sure look like nice sets. You'll have to let us know how you like it.

I'm not familiar with Slingbox, but from my recollection, that's something that you could look into getting. Also, my brother has an AppleTV and likes it quite a bit (some background - he's a mac nut but didn't think the AppleTV was worthwhile until he got one free, and then he started to really talk it up). Both of those are solutions for streaming content - and they don't require the computer to be connected to the TV.

As for receivers, I don't know if there are any in your price range that would be better for streaming than others. For most users, I recommend looking into the Yamaha 663, Onkyo 606, and Pioneer 1018 in that price range (just three examples). You'll want to make sure that the receiver has the capabilities that you want (surround sound, inputs, outputs, power).

Adam

 

[bandphan]

Your last question was in regards to a receiver, what speakers do you have or what are you planning on buying?

The are several hardware options for streaming, do have a bluray player?

What type of cable box do you have? HD or digital?

 

[giyad]

First of all thanks for the quick responses guys!

giyad, congrats on the new TV! Those sure look like nice sets. You'll have to let us know how you like it.

Will do! I'm out of the country for a month and a half, but I'll let you know as soon as I get everything set up...

I'm not familiar with Slingbox, but from my recollection, that's something that you could look into getting. Also, my brother has an AppleTV and likes it quite a bit (some background - he's a mac nut but didn't think the AppleTV was worthwhile until he got one free, and then he started to really talk it up). Both of those are solutions for streaming content - and they don't require the computer to be connected to the TV.

Is the SlingPlayer good for streaming HD content? and what formats does it support? I'm not too familiar I just remember looking at it a year back and not caring much because it does everything over the Internet right? So if I lost my internet connection, it wouldn't work because its not over a LAN or WLAN... i might be wrong. Although now after looking at it, it seems like I could completely replace a receiver with the SlingBox Pro, except I wouldn't be able to hook up audio to the device... which sucks haha

Apple TV won't do because its hard drive is too small... and i don't think it plays back .avi...

As for receivers, I don't know if there are any in your price range that would be better for streaming than others. For most users, I recommend looking into the Yamaha 663, Onkyo 606, and Pioneer 1018 in that price range (just three examples). You'll want to make sure that the receiver has the capabilities that you want (surround sound, inputs, outputs, power).

I was thinking about the Yamaha rx-v663 as well, i think im going to go for that, but not sure yet. (The only requirement I have is that I want to connect the TV to receiver via HDMI, then everything else to the receiver... How should I connect the other devices to the receiver?

Your last question was in regards to a receiver, what speakers do you have or what are you planning on buying?

Don't have speakers yet, I want the rest of the set up to work before I worry about speakers.

The are several hardware options for streaming, do have a bluray player?

I have a Bluray Recorder on my desktop. I plan to rip all my movies and watch them from my PC (I've started), or wherever I end up storing them. Eventually I will probably invest in a PS3 or a cheap bluray player, but right now I want to be able to stream my content (.avi's mostly from my External harddrive, which is why im thinking either NAS or HTPC which would, i guess, end up working as a NAS anyway...

What type of cable box do you have? HD or digital?

I think its HD, i got it from the company but Im not home now to check, I'm pretty sure I signed up for the HD package, i hope so haha. Is this going to decide whether I connect via coax or something else?

 

[Adam]

Will do! I'm out of the country for a month and a half, but I'll let you know as soon as I get everything set up...

Thanks, giyad!

 

[giyad]

So lets say that I went with the Yamaha RX-V663.

I would connect the Samsung TV to the Yamaha receiver via HDMI.

Next, I would connect the cable box to the receiver via coax, correct?

After that I would connect either a NAS to my router, and then a media extender to the receiver. This way I would have my NAS with Media Center streaming content through the router, and the TV/receiver getting the streaming content through the extender, would this set up work? Would it work with ripped Blu-Ray content?

If I didn't do it this way how would I do it?

I could also build an HTPC with Vista Premium, and then have that connected via cables (what cables would i use?) to the receiver. Then have the HTPC connected to a router to distribute the music/non HD content.

 

[bandphan]

So lets say that I went with the Yamaha RX-V663.

.

Ill defer till you return with you info the gear at home, but the reson for asking is your speakers will be the most important link in your ht along with your display, purchasing an AVR before the speakers can limit your amount of choices of speakers.

 

[jliedeka]

So lets say that I went with the Yamaha RX-V663.

I would connect the Samsung TV to the Yamaha receiver via HDMI.

Next, I would connect the cable box to the receiver via coax, correct?

If by coax, you mean coax audio and composite video, okay. Is HDMI an option? If not, is component video an option? All I'm saying is use the best available connection. If HDMI is available and works, use that. Otherwise use the best available audio and video.

After that I would connect either a NAS to my router, and then a media extender to the receiver. This way I would have my NAS with Media Center streaming content through the router, and the TV/receiver getting the streaming content through the extender, would this set up work? Would it work with ripped Blu-Ray content?

It should work with ripped content.

I could also build an HTPC with Vista Premium, and then have that connected via cables (what cables would i use?) to the receiver. Then have the HTPC connected to a router to distribute the music/non HD content.

If possible, connect your HDPC via HDMI. If that's not possible, use component and either coax or fiber. Few receivers have VGA input. The next option is either SVGA or composite. If you have to use them, you have to but try to avoid it.

Jim

 

[giyad]

giyad, congrats on the new TV! Those sure look like nice sets. You'll have to let us know how you like it.

The TV is awesome! I mounted it on the wall with the Samsung WMN5090 and it complements it wonderfully .

Now all Im trying to do is figure out a way to stream all my content to the TV, thinking of either building an HTPC with Blu Ray, or just getting a media extender and a blu ray player...

Here are the advantages as I see them...

Low end-HTPC
-I build it so anything wrong with it is my fault
-Blu-Ray drive included (they cost <$130)
-Windows Media Center (I hear only good things)
-Can also pause and record, even though I have a DVR from the cable company already...

Popcorn Hour
-Cheap
-Small
-I've already got a powerline network set up, so wires aren't a problem anymore.

Disadvantages are..

HTPC
-$$$$ More costly than a media extender or Popcorn hour including a separate Blu-Ray player...

Popcorn Hour
-No Blu-Ray
-No-included hard drive
-I hear the interface is kind of crappy and slow
-Not readily available

What do you guys think? Should I go for an HTPC or just save myself the hassle and get a Popcorn Hour or some other extender???

 

[jcPanny]

Apple TV?

The Apple TV is wireless and will allow you to store and stream audio, video, and pictures. However, you will be limited to apple supported audio and video formats. Check it out, there might be some workarounds for other video formats or conversion utilities.

 

[giyad]

The Apple TV is wireless and will allow you to store and stream audio, video, and pictures. However, you will be limited to apple supported audio and video formats. Check it out, there might be some workarounds for other video formats or conversion utilities.

Already purchased the Popcorn Hour A-110. I don't care for wireless because it can't do HD... The popcorn hour plays all formats you could possible want .

Thanks though!