New home - no clue please help :)

[Jenjen86]

We recently bought a new home that has 2 speakers in the rear ceiling of the living room and 2 outside on the patio. Both sets of wires come into the entertainment center. I have a Direct HD DVR & a blue ray DVD player. I would like to have it all play through the speakers plus have an FM tuner - and be able to play it simultaneously inside and out, or just alone in one or the other. I bought a Sony STR-520 but I don't think it will do what I want. Any suggestions?

 

[ImcLoud]

Any pics?

I'm thinking the 2 in he living room were surrounds, and the 2 outside were zone 2 stereo...
I'm not too familiar with sony avr's but I would be shocked if it has a zone 2 function...

if you just want to get out as cheap as possible
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTRC330/Onkyo-HT-RC330-5.1-CHANNEL-HOME-THEATER-RECEIVER/1.html

has a tuner, has a a/b function that will allow you to power them outside speakers..
Then buy 3 front speakers and you will have a 5 ch surround sound, get a sub and home theater

 

[Jenjen86]

The Sony doesn't have multizone capability. I called Sony.

The 2 in the LR are for surround, 2 outside are zone 2. I just don't know what to buy to connect it in zones- And connect the tv & DVD player.

 

[ImcLoud]

The Sony doesn't have multizone capability. I called Sony.

The 2 in the LR are for surround, 2 outside are zone 2. I just don't know what to buy to connect it in zones- And connect the tv & DVD player.

Click my link in the above post, what do you want to spend?

If you are on a real tight budget, use the speakers in your ceiling that avr I linked to you, and 3 of these {only sold in pairs but you will have a spare} http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-652

Now that avr has A/b zone 2 will cost more but be a little better, as in let you power your theater and the outside zone at the same time, and a few other features... but $$$$

 

[Jenjen86]

Ok thank you! I'm about to read it.

 

[Jenjen86]

ImcLoud,
How do I tell if it has the zone feature? I'm sorry to be bothersome, I just don't know much at all about this stuff. Thank you for your help!

 

[ImcLoud]

ImcLoud,
How do I tell if it has the zone feature? I'm sorry to be bothersome, I just don't know much at all about this stuff. Thank you for your help!

look at the picture on the back, there is a set of "B" speaker outputs, that will allow you to switch from a to b and power your outdoor speakers vs your indoor..

 

[Jenjen86]

Thank for all the help! Looks like that's the one! I'll let you know how it turns out

 

[ImcLoud]

Thank for all the help! Looks like that's the one! I'll let you know how it turns out

just keep in mind, you can run either the inside fronts or the outside not both at the same time... But for that price, you get a lot for your money anyway...
this one has a couple more options like 3d capable for an extra $10

 

[Jenjen86]

ImcLoud,
I got an onkyo ht-rc430 & I have a Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9 with directv hd dvr. I've got it connected, have a picture but I don't have sound from the tv. Any ideas? I'm using HDMI connections.

 

[ImcLoud]

Could be a bad hdmi cable, or in your settings for your avr, or in your cable box settings... Make sure everything is set for hdmi, and make sure the cables are all functional and support your version of hdmi.. {I had an hdmi cable that was too old before and it didnt support the audio of the newer cables...}