Apple TV/PVR/Home theatre connect to TV/HDMI Issues

[OverHeight]

Hopefully they'll be an easy answer but I haven't found it yet.

What I had: Sony DAV-HDX475 DVD home DVD/theatre system with surround sound. 1 HDMI out, none in
Shaw dual tuner PVR. 1 HDMI out, none in
LG 50PG20 720P TV, 3 HDMI in (2 on the back 1 on the side)
2 HDMI cables, 1 going from Sony HDX475 to TV and 1 from PVR to TV.
Optical sound from PVR to HDX475.
So all sound is played through HDX475 which has a non powered sub. Playing sound through TV is not an option.

Now I have purchased an Apple TV 2. Also bought an HDMI switch so I could connect HDX475 and ATV2 to switch then to TV. But then there is no sound through HDX475 for the ATV2.

Maybe you can see where I’m going with this.

So now I think, get rid of the switch and get a low cost Onkyo (or equivalent) receiver. That will solve my sound, switch and HDMI issues.

But now my (non powered) Sub which plugs directly into the back of the Sony HDX475 (with its proprietary plug) won't be able to hook to the Onkyo RCA preout.

Help, I need to keep the cost low but have good sound through 1 device.
Thanks
Matt

 

[adk highlander]

Hi OverHeight and welcome to the forum.

I believe you have already answered you own questions. The best solution would be to replace both the receiver and the sub. Monoprice has just released what look to be nice inexpensive subs: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10906&cs_id=1090602&p_id=8249&seq=1&format=2

Pair this with a new receiver like this Marantz SR5005: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5005A/MARANTZ-SR5005-100w-X-7ch-3-D-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/1.html

If this is too much what is your budged?

 

[OverHeight]

Thanks ADK,

I was hoping to spend up to a couple hundered bucks to fix the problem. A new reciever and powered sub as you pointed to is around $600.

 

[adk highlander]

This may be a good deal for you: Woot has a pioneer receiver for $149.99 today only: http://www.woot.com/

It has 4 HDMI imputs and will do all the audio processing you will need. Add the sub and you are around $250. Woot is a one deal a day and is owned by Amazon. I have purchased several things from them and they are reliable.

 

[OverHeight]

Thanks I just ordered it. Looks like it will do exactly what I want. Don't like the look of the sub though (don't have wood grain in my family rm) so I'll try to find another one. Unless you know of like a black one?

 

[adk highlander]

Nice. I almost ordered on just because it looks like such a decent deal.

These dayton subs from Partsexpress get good reviews. It is a bit more expensive than the monoprice model but still very reasonable.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633

 

[OverHeight]

how about this one? Sony SA-W2500 at amazon for $74?

 

[OverHeight]

or this one from amazon for $99
Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)

 

[adk highlander]

how about this one? Sony SA-W2500 at amazon for $74?

I would run from this one. The cabinet is nothing more than pressed cardboard.

or this one from amazon for $99
Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black)

I cannot find the thread but I know that someone was comparing this sub to the Dayton that I linked. If I remember correct the Polk exhibited port noise at higher spl's. The threads I found at avs and hometheater shack also went with the dayton over the polk. Either way you need to realistic with expectations from any sub at these prices but I would personally go with the dayton for the extra 30 bucks.

 

[OverHeight]

Thanks again for all your help, very much appreciated!

 

[OverHeight]

Update

So I took back the HDMI switch and got a discounted Pioneer VSX-521-K 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver

Now I have my Sony DAV-HDX475 DVD home dvd/theatre system acting as my DVD player with it hooked to the pioneer with HDMI. But I don't get any sound when playing the DVD.

Is this because the Sony DAV-HDX475 DVD home dvd/theatre system only sends sound out through its speaker jacks and not out through the HDMI?

Do I now have to buy a new DVD player as well?

Thanks!

 

[adk highlander]

Yes I believe that system will not output audio through the HDMI. Black Friday is only a couple of weeks away and I'm sure you will be able to pick up a Blu-ray player on the cheap.

 

[BMXTRIX]

This is a common issue with proprietary home theater in a box setups. Bose being one of the most guilty manufacturers, but obviously Sony and others are guilty as well.

They are just that: Proprietary. You can't upgrade them, you can change them. You don't get the connectivity you need and you can't fix those issues.

As soon as you want to do what you want to do (as in this case), then you truly have to do a 100% replacement.

If, instead, you ask before you buy, you can often get advice in just a couple of hours as to what makes sense and what is a good deal. For well under $500 total a decent entry level setup can be put together. Even less for some of the cheaper, not quite decent complete setups.

I think Onkyo, while they lean towards weak speakers, still has the best home theater in a box setups because they use their traditional A/V receivers. So, for just a few hundred bucks you get a 5.1 setup with a real receiver.

But yes, Black Friday is almost upon us and we should see BD players available for well under $100 from major manufacturers.

Before you, or anyone else in your family balks about $100 or the money spent, consider how much it costs to go out to the movies for one night vs. how much you enjoy your setup at home.

My wife refuses to even go to movie theaters anymore, even for movies she really wants to see. It's just a far better experience at home.