some ideas to consider.
I am fairly new to this forum and you all seem to know a hell of a lot more about this stuff than me. I am going to be setting up a new home theatre system and want to make sure I am maximizing the potential of the equipment I have and plan to get. Here are the components I plan to have connected:
42"-50"Panasonic Plasma HDTV (720p) (don't have yet)
Playstation3 (for gaming and Blu-Ray)
standard DVD player
Dish Network HD-DVR (not HD yet)
Surround Sound system (don't have yet)
I plan to run every input I have (DVD,PS3,Satellite) first into my surround sound reciever, then have a singal HDMI cable connecting the reciever to the TV. All sound will run from the reciever to the surround speakers. Thus, I will need a surround sound reciever with at least 2 HDMI inputs and one output.
I want to make sure I am taking full advantage of the high quality sound and video signals coming from my compenents. Primarily I am concerned with the PS3. What type of audio encoding in used in PS3's for gaming and/or for the blu-ray function. Will I need to keep that in mind when purchasing my reciever? Will the audio formats from my PS3 match those put out by the Dish Network HD box? Also, what can I do to avoid "dead spots" in my surround sound output from sound waves overlapping/cancelling each other out?
I plan a long run of HDMI cable from the components to the TV as they will be stored in a separate location. Will a long run of HDMI cable (maybe over 50 feet?) compromise the HD signal quality?
Lastly, I plan to use a universal remote for the entire system with a radio frequency base station to transmit the remote signal into the closet where the components will be located. Does anyone have experience with these and care to share a recommendation on a brand/model?
Last, last thing....do I need a power conditioner for all of this? It's a new contruction house.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Mckinley02,
Welcome to Audioholics forums.
There are lots of speakers and AVR (Audio Video receivers) that will meet your needs. The best sound comes from the speakers. The fronts speakers and center are most important and should match in timbre( to maintain seamless front sound). Normally you get the same vendor brand or three speakers all alike for fronts and center. Spend most of your money 9 2/3 on fronts and center). Center is especially important for voice in TV and DVDs. Surround speakers don't have to match and for enchancement and can be smaller and added later.The Sub is good for movies for lower bass sounds, Good brands are SVS and Hsu. Good AVR brand as are; Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer and Marantz. Pick a budget $$$ amount you want to spend and we can give you some specific recommendations.
Long HDMI cable is okay if you get a quality cable. Buy very good yet inexpensive cables from Monoprice or Bluejeanscables. Cables sold in store, such as Monster, tend to be way overpriced.
http://www.monoprice.com/
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/
I recently purchased an universal remote with RF that is one of the easiest and best I have found. It has preprogrammed modes, learning modes and macros. You can "punch through" keys so you can control volume for example for all screens. You can aslo program macros to turn all device off or on from one button. It is reasonably priced at about $80.
http://www.amazon.com/RFS200-PowerPak-Bundle-MasterControl-PowerBlaster/dp/B000FL9E6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233257860&sr=8-1
I would also recommend you plan on spending $50 for a Radio Shack SPL meter to set the sound levels equal on all speakers. ( makes your system sound as wonderful as it can
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103667
Power Conditioner. Audioholics is currently have a sale on the H15 power conditioner for $149 now , it is regularly over $400 very,very good price.
http://store.audioholics.com/product/717/0/apc-av-h15-1-5kva-h-type-power-conditioner---silver At this price it is a no-brainer to get one!
Good Luck!
MidCow2
