Home Theater HELP!

[tvh]

So my name is Tyler and I'm new to the home theater style and I have a couple of questions if y'all would be willing to answer. So my set up is a basic budget college dorm setup, I just ordered the TV and received the blu-ray player already and my current receiver system and speakers are old and about to bite the dust. here's my equipment as of now

Receiver system: RCA RT2280
TV: Sharp 42-inch LC-42SB45UT 1080p LCD HDTV
blu-ray: Samsung BD-P1600
Nintendo Wii
Desktop Computer will be hooked up to use the LCD as a monitor as well.

So I've noticed that the left speakers are shot and the receiver is ancient and so I'm in the business of getting a new receiver. here's the catch, I'm a college student and being frugal is a goal.

So first question is this, I'm looking at a ONKYO HT-S3200, it looks decent and its within my price range, 300$.
Is this a good buy?

Second, On the description it shows that it has 3 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output with 1.3 pass through. I believe that I understood the HDMI 1.3 pass through to be that the audio is just pass through and not processed by the receiver. So is that only on the output HDMI? That's fine cause the TV speakers wont be in use. but will the blu-ray player send the audio through the HDMI input at HDMI 1.3 receiver? I hope that I am understanding this correctly.

Third, would you recommend that I change anything or go a separate way in my setup? Keep in mind that I am a poor college student and I like to be frugal

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For your first question,
$300 is not much of budget for 5.1 system, so HT-S3200 might be not bad choice for you, considering you could up the speakers later.

As Clint said in his HT-S3200 review

"Since the HDMI inputs are pass-through, this means they do not retrieve the audio from the HDMI signal"

So if you want to send audio to receiver from ANY source, you'd have to connect Additional connectors (analog or digital)

Option b: to consider ultra low budget:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR307BLK/Onkyo/Tx-sr307-5.1-channel-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html
2 pairs of these (no center)
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652
1 sub
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-631
Total Cost: $313

Few simple mod can make dayton's really shine:
http://zaphaudio.com/Dayton-B652.html

 

[tvh]

Awesome, thanks for the fast reply. So I've been thinking about this. I like what you said, so instead of the HTIB i go for the sr507 which is a little bit more expensive then the sr307 and it solves the audio problem and also its around my price range. I could just use the old speakers until I get money to replace them, Would this be a good idea?

Also, will this receiver upconvert all inputs into or close to 1080p so that I don't have to have two separate video connections to the TV (ex. nintindo wii component video)?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

yes, 507 will solve one HDMI problem - it'll process audio from HDMI, but it'll not up-convert video
About keeping your old speakers - hmm, I thought you said - some of them are shot....
Daytons will be WAY better then your RCA speakers....
If I were you, I'd think less of AVR convenience features.... but investing in better sound, thru better speakers/sub

 

[tvh]

ok, yeah, two of the speakers are shot, so i would have to downgrade to 3.1 if i were to keep with the old ones. However i love your input about the daytons, and I think that I will get some of those like you said. Now, the modding part im a little hesitant in my abilities but I will research that more to boost my self confidence. Thank you so much for all your input

 

[BMXTRIX]

Awesome, thanks for the fast reply. So I've been thinking about this. I like what you said, so instead of the HTIB i go for the sr507 which is a little bit more expensive then the sr307 and it solves the audio problem and also its around my price range. I could just use the old speakers until I get money to replace them, Would this be a good idea?

Also, will this receiver upconvert all inputs into or close to 1080p so that I don't have to have two separate video connections to the TV (ex. nintindo wii component video)?

I'm not sure that receiver processes audio either, it just appears to be a bit of an upgrade over the other one.

You might need to look at something more like this for audio processing and video digital conversion...
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/AVReceivers.asp

http://www.sourceoneaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=15928

It's about your entire budget for a receiver which does close to what you want. It converts analog video (Wii) to HDMI and will process digital audio including HD audio over HDMI directly.

It does not upconvert video to 1080p which is okay because your TV will do that already. It does let you maintain just one HDMI cable to the TV.

It also eats up almost your entire budget. If you NEED speakers, then upgrading the receiver may not be an option for you at this time.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

For a dorm room set up, I would just run some AudioEngine A5's and add a Dayton sub when budget allows. This frees all the budget up since you won't need an AVR. It will also be easy to move which you will do a lot for the next few years.

Once you get out of school they can retire to the office for a great computer set up.
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5/page-1

I have these in my office and they are quite impressive.

 

[sholling]

What I use for a PC sound system is an old used receiver to drive a pair (soon to be 3 pair) of Behringer B2030P speakers and a subwoofer. My suggestion is to save up and get an Onkyo TX-SR507 or a refurbished 606 and a pair of Behringers. That will give you the flexibility to play cable/satellite and Blu-Ray, and radio. Later when you save up more I'd buy a compact subwoofer and another pair of Behringers.

That's how I built out each of my rooms. I work in this order:

1. Buy the best L&R front speakers that I can afford for the job at hand and a receiver to do them justice.
2. Save for a subwoofer and timbre matched center.
3. Only when money allows do I worry about surrounds.