Home theater help please

[Stainless_Steel]

I am completely new to all this so please bare with me. I've been reading past post and learning some, but mostly getting lost. Heres my situation. I decided to get A plasma tv and after some research I have decided to go with the Panasonic TH-42PX60U.

This is where I get lost. I started to look for a receiver and found a lot of good ones, but I'm not sure which one is right for me. I want the best picture from my tv and the best sound from my speakers as possible. I was thinking that I needed a receiver with 2 HDMI inputs like the Yamaha RX-2600. Will the HDMI make the picture that much better on my tv and the sound? I mean is it worth paying $1300 for when a good receiver can be bought for $600?(When do you think the price will drop on the 2600 since the 2700 is coming out)?

I really don't want to go over $1500 for the sound system, but if I did that would be fine if it was a good one. I've read where it may be best to spend the money on the speakers and get a receiver that will be good enough for now till better stuff comes out. If I do get a receiver with no HDMI or maybe just one will the picture be just as good?

I'll be moving in the next couple of months, but the living room in the house I move to will probably be something like 17x15 or 20x18. So what can you guys suggest to me for a receiver,HD DVD player, speakers(sub, fronts and all that good stuff)? I think I want to run a 5.1 system.

Thanks for any help or info you can give me.

 

[jcPanny]

Sound budget

If your total sound budget is $1500, you will be much better off spending $3-500 on the receiver and the rest on speakers in sub. SVS and av123.com have some good bookshelf systems in this price range.
A receiver from Yamaha, Denon, or Pioneer should work well. Most models <$500 won't have HDMI, but you can connect 1 or 2 HDMI sources directly to your display. I think you can get the Pioneer 1016 for around $400 and it includes HDMI switching.

 

[Nick250]

In addition to jcPanny's comments which are right on target IMO, try to do some local auditions of $1000 surround packages. There is nothing like hearing in person. I will add Ascend Acoustics to the list of well regarded internet direct companies.

Nick

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/

 

[Stainless_Steel]

Thanks guys for your help. I have been researching some more and I think I am going to go with a Polk system. I went to Tweeter last weekend and listened to some polks and I liked them. I still need to go back with a movie and see how they sound with that. This is going to be 99% movie watching and maybe listen to music on it sometimes, but doubt it.

- Rti 8's for front
-CSi 5's for center
-FX3 for surrounds
-Sub ? maybe Velodyne,SVS,or...
Still not sure about receiver I guess they have an over stock of some Yamaha 2500 because they are selling them for $600. Should I get this receiver? I asked them about helping with install since I am new to this. They said they would and use component cables for everything. Is there any other cable that should be used that is better?

Also please suggest a sub to go with this HT system and remember its all for movies and TV.

Thanks again for help

 

[billy p]

I would then go the the Yamaha at that price!!! You will also need coax or fiber optic cables for sound, component cables are fine for video and you'll need speaker wire as well. All depends on how many components you are connecting and how you connect them to your receiver? Dvd players can use component cables or hdmi and in most cases results are similar! For the sub you will need a sub cable with enough length for proper placement. Try to do it yourself, we are here to help and it will help you gain experience. As far as subs you mentioned two good ones, also go www.av123.com look at the rocket subs and www.hsuresearch.com make good subs to.

Lastly don't get SUCKED into expensive wires and cables post here first for advice

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker system

Steel,
That Yamaha will provide plenty of power for your entry level system. I would expect more discounts on older model receivers when they release the new RX-V2700 and 1700 at CEDIA next month.
They Polks will make a good entry level HT system. However, the Ascends and Onix X-ls speakers are also in your budget and would compare favorably.

I agree that SVS, HSU, and the Onix Rocket subs are good leads.

 

[Stainless_Steel]

Thanks guys. I try to add to yalls' reputation, but it won't let me. Thats good I welcome the discounts. I won't be starting all this until November or December anyway. As for the Ascedns and Onix-X, I can't listen to them anywhere around here unfortunately.

Can someone please explain HDMI to me? I've read about it and even wikipedia it and I just can't seem to understand it %100. So it makes sound and picture better,(can convert 480p signals to HD resolutions (720p, 1080i), so if I get the 2500 I will only get 480p from my panasonic? If I get the 2600 with the HDMI I will get 720p/1080i? I want the best picture I can get. This is the most important thing to me. Is it worth it to go HDMI with the receiver? Lets say the 2600 dropped to $1100.

Thanks

 

[jcPanny]

Hdmi

Steel,
The Yamaha RX-V2600 is a great receiver, but it is not a good match for your budget. In many cases, HDMI signal quality is the same or compable to a component video connection. Also, you can still take advantage of HDMI without it on your receiver. Just connect directly from the source to your display and add an HDMI switch for multiple digital sources.
In a few years, HDMI v1.3, BluRay, and HD-DVD should be worked out and that would be a good time for a receiver upgrade with the latest features.

Bottom line:
A $500 receiver and $1k speakers will sound good.
A $1100 receiver and $400 HTIB speakers will sound crappy.

 

[billy p]

The current hdmi format makes things a bit more simple not better and if your source signal isn't HD then it won't matter. The upconversion can be done at the dvd player,the receiver or by a hd source the hdmi cable carries the signals.

Hope this helps, Bill

 

[billy p]

Dear SS

did you get my e mail address? Drop me a line that way I can answer your questions more in depth!!