Projector home theater fiasco.

[McNasty]

My situation. I bought an EP749 multimedia projector for a good price, not factoring in that I would have these issues, which is why I'm here. I need to figure out how to hook up an A/V system so I can get my home theater set up.


My electronics I'm going to use with the projector:
XBOX 360
I use this through HDMI.

Comcast Cable Box
I would also use this through HDMI.

The EP749 has this for the inputs:
2 x VGA input - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Composite video input, 1 x VGA output - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Composite video input - 24 pin digital DVI, 1 x Audio line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Serial RS-232 ( Management ), 1 x S-video input, 1 x Audio line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm


I bought an HDMI to DVI connector and no sound will transfer. So I'm guessing I need a reciever with 2 HDMI in/outs? Right? And from the receiver I can wire speakers. Correct?

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

You certainly can get a receiver that will process the audio from the HDMI connections (probably looking at around $350 and up for that) and then output an HDMI signal that you can connect to your HDMI-to-DVI adapter. There are several good options out there. If you want a receiver, just let us know and we'll be happy to give suggestions.

If you want to run audio to the projector, we should be able to help you do that, too. To do that without any converters, you would need stereo analog audio outputs on the Xbox 360 and cable box. Do you have those?

Adam

 

[McNasty]

I want a receiver that can handle my needs but wont hurt my wallet (Damn college...)

As for running audio to the projector, I won't. It's a crappy 2 way single speaker. I'm just going to have to find a reciever with audio out and hook up a surround sound or 2.1, right?

 

[Adam]

I'm just going to have to find a reciever with audio out and hook up a surround sound or 2.1, right?

If you won't be running audio to the projector, then you won't need audio out on the receiver, but almost all of them come with that.

What you want is something that can connect to your Xbox 360 and cable box, decode the multi-channel audio outputs, and play the sound. You can do that with a receiver and unpowered speakers, and you can do that with a number of "PC" speaker packages. I like the receiver option myself, but I wanted to mention the other in case you were interested.

Some receivers that come to mind are the Yamaha RX-V663, Onkyo TX-SR606, and the Pioneer VSX-1018. All of those can be had in the $400, and all of them will process audio over HDMI. At this point in time, the lower end models (like the Onkyo TX-SR506 that can be had for around $150 on sale) don't process audio over HDMI - they just act like HDMI switchers and pass the signal through to something else. Someone here might know of cheaper ones that will do it, and I'll be happy to be shown wrong. There might be a lower end Yamaha that will do it.

When I mention PC speakers, I'm thinking more of connecting the digital audio outputs from the Xbox 360 and the cable box. I don't now if they have optical connectors, digital coax, or both. There are PC surround sound systems that will accept those connectors those.

EDIT: I feel kind of stupid for not thinking of this earlier. If you are going to use the digital audio ouputs from the Xbox 360 and cable box, then you could easily go with the Onkyo TX-SR506. That is a nice receiver at a nice price. It just wouldn't work for you if you had to process audio over HDMI.

 

[Phil Taylor]

Damn near anything would be better than the projector's speakers. They are mainly just good for .... ummm - welll ... errr - uh - I really can't think of what they actually are good for...

I second Adam's advice - get yourself a cheap (but decent) surround system to get you thru college. Then when you're making bucks in the real world upgrade away.

 

[McNasty]

Thats what I need, audio through HDMI.

My ideal setup is connecting all the HDMI cables to the reciever, have a SINGLE HDMI to DVI cable to my EP749, and then having a speaker system hooked up to it.

 

[McNasty]

What about the Marantz SR4002?

 

[Phil Taylor]

What about the Marantz SR4002?

That would work well as it is 1.3 and samples the audio from the HDMI cable = no additional digital audio connection necessary. Marantz makes very good stuff so you wouldn't have to upgrade for quite a while if you don't wanna.

 

[McNasty]

HT-SP904? TXSR506B? Would these be sufficient?

 

[Phil Taylor]

They would be sufficient but neither sample audio from HDMI - that's really no huge dealbreaker - you just have to run a separate digital audio cable from your source to the receiver. Note that none of the above systems handle Blu-ray HD audio formats - only Dolby Digital but that is pretty damn good in itself and a major improvement over Dolby Pro-Logic.

 

[McNasty]

So, does that mean that from my XBOX, the receiver will only recognize the video, and not the audio? Or does that mean that it will, but will not transfer audio from the receiver to another electronic?

 

[Phil Taylor]

So, does that mean that from my XBOX, the receiver will only recognize the video, and not the audio? Or does that mean that it will, but will not transfer audio from the receiver to another electronic?

If you have an HDMI version of XBOX you will run your HDMI to the receiver for those 2 Onkyos - not Marantz as it will sample audio from the HDMI on the Marantz - and a separate digital audio cable into the receiver in order to get audio. Again the Marantz will strip/sample the audio from HDMI - those two low-end Onkyo models will not.

The best bang for buck receiver right now is the Onkyo TX-SR606 selling for $396 - it has HDMI 1.3 (will sample audio from HDMI) switching with 4 in 1 out, decodes all HD audio formats and upscales SD to near HD quality with the Faroudja DCDi Edge processor. It's a SUPER buy if you can swing the bucks and you wouldn't have to upgrade for a LONG time if ever.

 

[lsiberian]

So, does that mean that from my XBOX, the receiver will only recognize the video, and not the audio? Or does that mean that it will, but will not transfer audio from the receiver to another electronic?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-AVR-247-7-1-Home-Theater-Receiver-HDMI_W0QQitemZ390026861479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceivers_Tuners?hash=item390026861479&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

That I think is the cheapest receiver that will process audio via hdmi.

If you get a blu-ray player just make sure it decodes the hd formats and you should be fine. They do have known issues, but I think most are with component to hdmi conversion. And many have been fixed with firmware updates. If you can afford a 606 then go for it. But not at the sacrifice of better speakers.

 

[lsiberian]

I think the 705 is actually a better deal than the 606. it's about the same price at Accessories4less and has more power, THX, pre-amp outs, and better Audio processors.

And the 606 goes for 300 reconditioned! http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR606/Onkyo/TX-SR606-90w-x-7ch-HDMI-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

If you want an all in one you could get this
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS6100/Onkyo/HT-S6100-7.1-Channel-Receiver/-Speaker-Package-BLACK/1.htm


However I still think you are better off getting the receiver and then a good pair of bookshelves or towers first. For the price I don't think an Infinity Beta 20s can be beat. They go for around 100 a pair of ebay. And if you get the cherry ones. I would be willing to cut you a good deal on my 250. It's cherry and my bookshelves are black and it bothers me to no end. So i'm upgrading it to a 360!

 

[Timmy245]

i think that the Denon AVR-789/1909 would be a good choice also
does audio over hdmi 3 in 1 out and decodes all the latest codecs, upscales to 1080p and obviously all the new audysey features such as dynamic volume, dynamic eq, multi eq room correction and setup its also at a very good price point. only problem with this receiver is that it doesnt have pre-amp outputs on it.
i currently own then 789 and couldnt be happier i will be sticking with denon
anyway thats just my thoughts.
~TiM~

i would also consider the other receievrs people have mentioned in this thread as there is definetly variety out there that suit what you want in the end though its up to you what you decide
good luck!

 

[lsiberian]

i think that the Denon AVR-789/1909 would be a good choice also
does audio over hdmi 3 in 1 out and decodes all the latest codecs, upscales to 1080p and obviously all the new audysey features such as dynamic volume, dynamic eq, multi eq room correction and setup its also at a very good price point. only problem with this receiver is that it doesnt have pre-amp outputs on it.
i currently own then 789 and couldnt be happier i will be sticking with denon
anyway thats just my thoughts.
~TiM~

i would also consider the other receievrs people have mentioned in this thread as there is definetly variety out there that suit what you want in the end though its up to you what you decide
good luck!

Only thing with Denon is their manuals tend to be pretty bad.

 

[Timmy245]

yes very true i resorted to google more then i resorted to getting the book out setting up mine lol