Help meeee, I suck at this

[Bkcmart]

So I recently bought a Panasonic TC-P50S1, at to say the least, I'm pumped. I'm also impulse buyer, and to go with my TV I jumped on a HTIB (Panasonic SC-PT770) and to say the least I'm disappointed. I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick in terms of quality and performance after doing some research.

First, I'm not even sure I have it connected properly to achieve Dolby digital, which is a shame since I'm using my PS3 as a blu-ray player. But thats all it's receiver is capable of. Now I'm not sure what codec's video games use, but even if its DD, I'd still want lossless for my blu-rays, or does the PS3 do all the converting itself? But back to the connection. The reciever supports one RCA aux in, one companent and one HDMI out ( for the 5 disc dvd player I guess). Now this is obviously lame since I have an Xbox 360, PS3 and HD DVR cable box all left going straight to the tv. So what I did was use went with the Audio out from the cable box, the RCA PS3 cables from the PS3, and split the audio cables from the Xbox 360's companents and put them all to a cheap radio shack switch then put that output on the switch to the aux on the reciever. But the problem is it doesnt sound like i have 5 channels of audio, It sounds like I only have 2 channels, left and right, and to boot the center channel doesnt play anything unless i change the surround setting to "manual", and when I put it on that setting it sounds funny, but like I said, when I put it on the multi channel setting it sounds like 2.1. Does anyone have any input on what I did wrong?

So here comes my second question, if I can get the HTIB I have now working correctly, I plan on upgrading it slowly ( or buying a sound bar from costco while I slowly buy a decent system, then returning it when im done, are soundbar's any decent?)

I was thinking of the Onkyo TX-SR507 reciever, or should I go with the 607?

PLease HELP! looking forward to any responses and help, thanks everyone!

Chris

 

[j_garcia]

If the receiver doesn't have an HDMI in, then it won't decode the latest codecs from the PS3. If it has an optical in, then you can get 5.1 surround from it, but you will not be able to even pass the current formats (DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD, lossless PCM). You can send TrueHD and DTS-HD via optical, but you will only get a "stripped down" 5.1 verson of each, though at a higher bitrate than standard DD and DTS.

A surround bar would be a step down IMO, even if you return it.

 

[Phil Taylor]

Try selecting the Dolby Pro-logic mode (if you can) to get "simulated" surround sound to all your speakers.

Frankly I'd return the system if you still can and get a real system. The Onkyo 507 is a real AVR and will decode all HD audio formats via HDMI. The 607 adds 10w more power and DCDi Edge video processing which is only needed if you watch a lot of SD media - I personally prefer to let my Panny BD player and plasma do my video processing and I rarely watch anything that isn't HD. Sooooo - I'd save a $100 or more and go with the 507.

 

[Bkcmart]

Try selecting the Dolby Pro-logic mode (if you can) to get "simulated" surround sound to all your speakers.

Frankly I'd return the system if you still can and get a real system. The Onkyo 507 is a real AVR and will decode all HD audio formats via HDMI. The 607 adds 10w more power and DCDi Edge video processing which is only needed if you watch a lot of SD media - I personally prefer to let my Panny BD player and plasma do my video processing and I rarely watch anything that isn't HD. Sooooo - I'd save a $100 or more and go with the 507.

Unfortunately I cannot lol. I'm returning this piece of junk. Thanks for the advice...Think I'm ganna pick a cheap soundbar from costco just so im not using the tv's speakers while I choose speakers and a sub...thanks a lot

 

[jostenmeat]

Unfortunately I cannot lol. I'm returning this piece of junk. Thanks for the advice...Think I'm ganna pick a cheap soundbar from costco just so im not using the tv's speakers while I choose speakers and a sub...thanks a lot

ixnay on the soundbar, eh. If you have RCA preouts from the TV, you can try a pair of self powered monitors, such as Behringer or KRK.

The annoying thing will be getting up to mess with volume. Unless you were lucky enough to have a display that could control the preouts "volume".

Honestly, I'd just use the tv speakers over a soundbar for now.

 

[lsiberian]

Unfortunately I cannot lol. I'm returning this piece of junk. Thanks for the advice...Think I'm ganna pick a cheap soundbar from costco just so im not using the tv's speakers while I choose speakers and a sub...thanks a lot

Don't buy anything else for 30 days at least. During this time you need to read, learn, listen, learn, listen, learn, listen. Repeatedly.

I suggest you read stuff from every section. If you don't understand ask and learn. Don't buy anything until you learn what you really want.

Then once you've learned everything decide how you will proceed.

Things to study
1. Subwoofers(DIY and Commercial)
2. Receivers and Pre-pros(advantages of each and what to look for.
3. Speakers(types, sound signatures, DIY, What makes good enclosure etc.)
4. EQ(How it's done, benefits etc)

I suggest you study all these. Learn and then buy.

 

[Bkcmart]

Don't buy anything else for 30 days at least. During this time you need to read, learn, listen, learn, listen, learn, listen. Repeatedly.

I suggest you read stuff from every section. If you don't understand ask and learn. Don't buy anything until you learn what you really want.

Then once you've learned everything decide how you will proceed.

Things to study
1. Subwoofers(DIY and Commercial)
2. Receivers and Pre-pros(advantages of each and what to look for.
3. Speakers(types, sound signatures, DIY, What makes good enclosure etc.)
4. EQ(How it's done, benefits etc)

I suggest you study all these. Learn and then buy.

Gotcha, The only reason I was ganna get the soundbar is becasue I am getting it from costco, whose return policy is amazing, broken/dirty/ whatever...I can get a full refund cash in ten years if I so chosed...

 

[j_garcia]

Gotcha, The only reason I was ganna get the soundbar is becasue I am getting it from costco, whose return policy is amazing, broken/dirty/ whatever...I can get a full refund cash in ten years if I so chosed...

Better check that policy closely, as they have changed it in recent years. Definitely for TVs, but I think it changed for most or all electronics as well and it is not as liberal as it was before due to people abusing it.

 

[Bkcmart]

Better check that policy closely, as they have changed it in recent years. Definitely for TVs, but I think it changed for most or all electronics as well and it is not as liberal as it was before due to people abusing it.

Yeah I checked... here it is if anyone is interested

Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund.

The most important thing they left off this list was Gaming consoles....I recently returned my Xbox and PS2 i bout YEARS ago and basically got 360 and PS3 for nothing