Home Theater Hookup

[FBauer727@]

I'm new to all this and can really use some help. I am assembling a system using a Panasonic 50" HDTV with two HDMI inputs, an Onkyo TX SA605 receiver (two HDMI inputs, one out), an Oppo DVD player (one HDMI output), a DVR cable box (one HDMI output) and a Boston Acoustic speaker system consisting of front left, center and right speakers with a powered sub-woofer. My question is: Is it possible to set this system up so that I use only the TV speakers for audio when watching news shows, talk shows, etc. and, using a remote, switch to audio using the receiver and other speakers when viewing movies on cable, DVD or any other source that utilizes multi-channel sound? Since my TV draws over 500 watts and the receiver and sub-woofer together draw about another 500, I would prefer not to generate all that heat when not necessary (not to mention running up the electric bill). Thanks for any help anyone might be able to give me.

FBauer727@

 

[no. 5]

I can't see why it would not be possible to do what you are asking. Are there other connections on the cable box, besides the HDMI connection?

As for your electric bill, I don't think the audio system will draw five hundred watts from the time it's turned on to the time it's powered down (I'm not sure about the TV). Unless, of course, you have measured the draw, in which case, never mind.

 

[jimfitz]

Run a pair of R/L audio cables from your cable box to your TV. That would be in addition to your HDMI cable from the cable box to your receiver. Turn the receiver off when you don't want to use it. Oh yes, run a R/G/B (component) video cable from the cable box to the TV.

Another way to do it is to run your HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV. Run an optical or coaxial cable from the cable box to your receiver.

 

[FBauer727@]

Thanks for the reply. The cable box has what is probably all the normal inputs and outputs that would be there if no HDMI were included. I have a schematic that shows: (Out 1- RGB video out, L/R audio out, optical audio out, digital audio out; Out 2- L/R audio out, video out; also optical audio out and S video out). I'm probably not knowledgable enough to discuss this intelligently, but I'm trying to learn. Thanks again for the help.

 

[FBauer727@]

Run a pair of R/L audio cables from your cable box to your TV. That would be in addition to your HDMI cable from the cable box to your receiver. Turn the receiver off when you don't want to use it. Oh yes, run a R/G/B (component) video cable from the cable box to the TV.

Another way to do it is to run your HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV. Run an optical or coaxial cable from the cable box to your receiver.

For Jimfitz: Thanks for the reply. I'm still waiting for my receiver to be shipped (backordered), but will use your hookup advice when it comes.