I just bought a Samsung LCD 1080p 120 hz television.
I currently have a JVC HTIB that I am using for surround that is a few years old. I am looking to upgrade this. I am planning on having a Blu-ray player, HD satellite input, and XBOX360.
I am just looking for the best system to complement these 3 main inputs. I have a budget of around 1200.00.
This is what I have in mind but want some more knowledgeable advice.
My current Plan:
DENON AVR 1909 Reciever (600)
Polk TSi1300 Floorstanding speaker (200 Each)
Polk center Channel CS10 (180)
Polk Powered sub (250)
Then use existing JVC speakers for rear surrond speakers for now
Also with the reciever, I am a bit confused on whether I should hook up my HDMI through the HDTV then an digital optical out into the reciever, or should I run everything into the reciever and a single HDMI out to the TV.
If running into the reciever do I need a reciever with HDMI switching capability or can I use a reciever that has HDMI pass-through. I am confused on this aspect of it alot. Does this degrade video quality at all.
Any help you guys/gals can offer is greatly appreciated.
To get the new audio formats on Blu-Ray, you should hook up the player to the receiver via HDMI, and then send the picture on to the TV from the receiver via HDMI.
With the receiver, the main thing is to make sure it has the new audio formats that are on Blu-Ray. I believe the Denon you selected has them, but I think you can get a Yamaha that has them for less (RX-V663). If a receiver has the new formats, it will accept audio via HDMI, which is important.
I don't know what kind of output an XBox has, but with everything that has it, you want to use HDMI. You can get HDMI cables for sane prices from:
http://www.monoprice.com/
http://www.partsexpress.com/
If the XBox and the satellite both have an HDMI output, then the Yamaha I suggested will not have enough HDMI inputs. You can add HDMI inputs with a switchbox, but if you can get a receiver that has all you need built in, it will be better because it will be simpler and use fewer cables.
If possible, I would try to spend a little less on the receiver, and more on the speakers, for the best sound. I would also go with bookshelf speakers all around to save money (instead of floorstanding fronts), and spend the extra on a better subwoofer. After all, with a surround system, you will probably need to be using bass management anyway, so the main speakers do not need to be strong below about 80 Hz. I recommend getting bookshelf speakers that have a -3 dB point at about 60 Hz (or lower) so that 80 Hz will not be a strain at all for them. And, with a better subwoofer, you WILL hear a real difference in sound. You might want to consider an SVS subwoofer, if you can fit it in your budget.
Although I have been suggesting changes in your plan, I do not think your plan is terrible even as is. If you are used to a home theater in a box, you would likely be pleased with the improvement you would get just buying what you were already thinking of buying. But you should always remember that the biggest difference in sound quality in equipment will pretty much always be with speakers (including the subwoofer). Most people spend too little on speakers for how much they spend on other equipment.
