5.1 Setup with receiver under $1000

[skeletor6]

okay...i will thank you

If there's not much of a difference I mind as well get the new one with its better warranty

 

[skeletor6]

Is there still the 4 week delay on the shipping for the eD a2-300? and I was wondering if anyone could help me on what else I am going to need to make this set up complete. As far as speaker wire and audio/video connections and some good places to get them. I have some cheap speaker wire already, but I dont believe it will suffice.

My xbox360 is connected to my TV via VGA cable with the red and white cables for audio. Am I going to need to buy a HDMI adapter for it or is there any way to implement that audio connections with the receiver?

Also, my HTPC is connected to my tv via DVI to HDMI. I had to do it this way because it was the only way to get 4:4:4 chroma pixel formatting to work. Is there any problems running DVI to HDMI to the receiver?

Sorry for the novice questions, but I appreciate all of the help.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Is there still the 4 week delay on the shipping for the eD a2-300? and I was wondering if anyone could help me on what else I am going to need to make this set up complete. As far as speaker wire and audio/video connections and some good places to get them. I have some cheap speaker wire already, but I dont believe it will suffice.

My xbox360 is connected to my TV via VGA cable with the red and white cables for audio. Am I going to need to buy a HDMI adapter for it or is there any way to implement that audio connections with the receiver?

Also, my HTPC is connected to my tv via DVI to HDMI. I had to do it this way because it was the only way to get 4:4:4 chroma pixel formatting to work. Is there any problems running DVI to HDMI to the receiver?

Sorry for the novice questions, but I appreciate all of the help.

eD sub is well worth the wait, like I said other than Dayton 15" sub kit not much could be as such great value.

Monoprice has all the cables you need. HDMI signal included audio and video in same cable.

DVI to HDMI should continue to work fine with exception if you play original bluray disks - if your DVI doesn't support HDCP correctly it wont work.
Doesn't apply to BluRay ISOs and MKV files

 

[skeletor6]

eD sub is well worth the wait, like I said other than Dayton 15" sub kit not much could be as such great value.

Monoprice has all the cables you need. HDMI signal included audio and video in same cable.

DVI to HDMI should continue to work fine with exception if you play original bluray disks - if your DVI doesn't support HDCP correctly it wont work.
Doesn't apply to BluRay ISOs and MKV files

Okay...thank you very much BSA you've been of grave help.

 

[skeletor6]

Is there any way to get RCA to do surround sound? Since I have the old xbox360 it doesn't have hdmi.

I've tried some searches and can't find the answer.

 

[jonnythan]

Oh, the old one without HDMI. Well, good news is that it has an optical audio output. Just use that. Full surround sound. You need one of these:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229#1022904

And use this for speaker wire:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239#1023902

I like the in-wall wire, even though I don't run it in the wall, because the white jacket looks nice.

 

[skeletor6]

Oh, the old one without HDMI. Well, good news is that it has an optical audio output. Just use that. Full surround sound. You need one of these:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229#1022904

And use this for speaker wire:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239#1023902

I like the in-wall wire, even though I don't run it in the wall, because the white jacket looks nice.

Thanks, it's good to know that its possible I thought I was stuck.

The VGA adapter I use to connect it looks like http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=vga+cable+xbox+360&hl=en&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1920&bih=979&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8476893043331695339&sa=X&ei=GP53Tpv-H4jq0gGTndSMDA&ved=0CGsQ8wIwAA

It runs a red and white for audio out of it. Do I have to buy a different adapter or something to use that cable you suggested?

 

[jonnythan]

Oh yes, you definitely want a different cable. That one uses composite (yellow) video. Composite is low quality and doesn't do HD at all!

You want this:
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Component-HDAV-Definition-Cable/dp/B000SJ5ZX0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1316487176&sr=8-3

You won't hook up the red and white audio, but instead use the optical audio cable.

 

[skeletor6]

Oh yes, you definitely want a different cable. That one uses composite (yellow) video. Composite is low quality and doesn't do HD at all!

You want this:
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Component-HDAV-Definition-Cable/dp/B000SJ5ZX0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1316487176&sr=8-3

You won't hook up the red and white audio, but instead use the optical audio cable.

That one isn't the exact cable that I have I bought it years ago and cant find it online. It has a thick white sleeve over it and it goes to the VGA port on my tv. I'm using it on a 32'' IPS paneled LG and can do 1080 resolution I've been using it since I bought the xbox many years ago. But it uses the red and white (rca) for its audio.

It's like http://www.amazon.com/XBOX-CABLE-1080P-3-5mm-Adapter/dp/B001B7VW1W but with a sleeve.

With that being said, will that cable you linked push 1080p? And is it the green one thats the audio I'd connect it to?

 

[jonnythan]

Oh VGA is good. VGA is better than component, actually. You can keep using VGA straight to the TV.

If your VGA cable doesn't have an optical audio port on the console connector, get one that does:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083005&p_id=4010&seq=1&format=2


You plug the VGA into the TV, then run an optical audio cable from the back of the console connector to the receiver. The red/white don't get plugged in.

 

[skeletor6]

I spoke with sales at eD and there is only a 2-3 week wait on the sub which was better than I've read. So I went ahead and purchased everything but the receiver.

Still don't really know what to choose. I am leaning on the a700 because of pre-outs and hdmi 1.4a, but I won't be utilizing either of those at the moment and probably not for a long time.

Now I noticed a deal for the Yamaha RX-V867 for $399.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115284 with coupon code:YAM920

Should I stick with buying the a700 or go with that?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I spoke with sales at eD and there is only a 2-3 week wait on the sub which was better than I've read. So I went ahead and purchased everything but the receiver.

Still don't really know what to choose. I am leaning on the a700 because of pre-outs and hdmi 1.4a, but I won't be utilizing either of those at the moment and probably not for a long time.

Now I noticed a deal for the Yamaha RX-V867 for $399.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115284 with coupon code:YAM920

Should I stick with buying the a700 or go with that?

Check this out:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76147

 

[skeletor6]

Check this out:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76147

Thank you for pointing that out!

Are these likely to be on sale because of their unreliability?

 

[its phillip]

I can give you an opposite story. I also purchased a yamaha receiver from newegg and it arrived in perfect condition.

The only reason why they are on sale is because the newer models are out.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Newegg CS is one of the best in the business - bought from them dozens of times, went thru RMA or two, couple of returns and never had ANY issues.

 

[skeletor6]

I can give you an opposite story. I also purchased a yamaha receiver from newegg and it arrived in perfect condition.

The only reason why they are on sale is because the newer models are out.

Well, I've purchased many things from newegg. Never had a problem, but from what I hear their RMA process is excellent.

Disregarding possible DOA issues....how does the a700 compare with the RX-V867?

 

[its phillip]

The V867 has networking built in. I would assume you would need to go with the RX-A800 or higher to get that in the aventage series. It also has a tiny bit more power but nothing noticeable. It weighs 24.9 lbs vs 23.1 lbs for the A700. The A700 has a 3 year warranty vs the 2 year warranty of the V867.

 

[skeletor6]

The V867 has networking built in. I would assume you would need to go with the RX-A800 or higher to get that in the aventage series. It also has a tiny bit more power but nothing you noticeable. It weighs 24.9 lbs vs 23.1 lbs for the A700. The A700 has a 3 year warranty vs the 2 year warranty of the V867.

Thank You Phillip!

Networking is not anything I'm interested in. I'd probably be better off sticking with the a700 for ~$50 less then.

 

[skeletor6]

I ended up for the receiver getting the Onkyo HT-RC360 for $263 after shipping. I know it wasn't recommended, but it seems to have all the features the other receivers offered. Including HDMI 1.4, pre-outs, networking, etc.

The only problem is on AVS forum I've read many issues people are experiencing with this unit. With it overheating, jittering, and minor glitches and with Onkyo's customer service being bad. Also, I've read there being problems about the volume control and how it seems to have to be up really high and can't go by +/- DB? Is anybody familiar with this unit?

Also, on a side note, what would be the best way to hook up my HTPC to the receiver. The specs of my HTPC are as follows...

MB: Asus p8p67 Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131701
Graphics Card: Radeon 6850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

Also this will be hooking up to an IPS paneled LG 32LD450 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889005138

As of right now I'm hooking it up to my TV via a dvi to hdmi cable. This is because it allows my TV to do 4:4:4 chroma pixel formatting. It has not been able to do it via HDMI to HDMI even with the fixes I've tried.

So what kind of connection to the receiver delivers the best audio performance?

Thank you guys have been such a big help!

 

[its phillip]

I don't know what 4:4:4 chroma pixel formatting is or how important it is to you. I just use an hdmi cable from my vidcard to my tv (in your case, your receiver) and it works fine.