Home Theater Configuration -- HELP!!!

[San]

I just purchased new equipment and could use some input (pun intended) with my confiuration plans.

1) I got the Sony SXRD with a cablecard (I'm trying to avoid having a cable box). Since the card/TV is supposed to process the sound as well as the video, I plan to go from the TV optical output to my H-T receiver to access the 5.1 sound available on some cable HD broadcasts. Can anyone give me a comparison of this vs. getting a cable box (I'm aware I won't get movies-on-demand and the TV guide)? I'm most interested in the picture and sound quality of the card vs. the box.

2) I also ordered an upconverting DVD player. If I use HDMI from the DVD to the TV, will the DVD 5.1 sound still get from the TV to the receiver, or is the TV sound processor just for the TV tuner (the sales advisor didn't know -- no one else ever asked)? Furthermore, if the source is a DTS-ES 6.1 DVD, will my 6.1-capable receiver still process this and access the 6th channel, or will the TV limit the signal it is passing on to 5.1? Or am I better off just using the DVD HDMI for video, and using Toslink to go from the DVD player to the receiver? Has anyone tried both scenarios? Again, I'm trying to get the best possible video and sound.

3) Lastly, because of the narrowness of the top of the TV I probably can't place the center channel speaker on top like I'd hoped (unless I velcro it on!), so it'll probably have to go on the stand below with all the other components. Has anyone experienced any problems (such as electrical interference of any sort) from a similar scenario?

Sorry for being so long-winded, but I would appreciate any helpful comments!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tbewick]

To get Dolby Digital/DTS to the receiver, use an electrical digital or Toslink cable plugged from the DVD player to the receiver. There may be a cleverer way of setting up your cables, but I'm not aware of it. The HDMI cable will still be useful if you want to listen through your TV's own speakers rather than through your amplifier.

On point 3, I've heard that it's actually better having the centre speaker below the TV set. Just try and have the front speakers so that their tweeters are as level as possible. I only think interference would be a problem with a conventional (cathode ray tube) television.

A tip I've heard is to use blu-tack stuck to speaker bottoms to help reduce vibrations.

 

[San]

Thanks, "Thewick" for your help! I'm not familiar with this blu-tack; what kind of store would have this, and is that what I would call it, just "blu-tack?"

 

[tbewick]

Maybe you don't have blu-tack in the US. It's like an adhesive putty, but firmer than normal putty, more like chewing gum. This Audioholics THX course seems to have a US equivalent -

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/roomacoustics/Acoustics101THX3.php

something called Dap Fun-Tak.

 

[Bryguy]

Vibration Dampner instead of Blu-tack

Or you can try a piece of rubberized tool box liner. You can get that at any hardware store (I got mine at Sears) and just cut it to match the size of the speaker.

Bryguy

 

[San]

Thanks all!!