Onkyo HT-S3100

[i1own0u]

Well, i got this for my dad as we finally upgraded to HDTV (lol). So anyway im new with the surround system system/receiver stuff, and i have no clue what i am doing. I'll make a list of what im confused on.

Here is my TV -
http://us.sanyo.com/LCD-Televisions/720p-31-5-HDTV

Here is my Home Theater System -
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S3100&class=Systems&p=i

1. Well first off, where do i start? I have a Wii, dvd player, and a VHS player. What do I plug into the receiver? I have component cables for the Wii and the DVD player. Would i plug the component cables on the listed "component video, video 1 in" then plug the other plugs into the other "video 1" section? Diagram - http://63.148.251.135/redirect_service.cfm?type=QuickHookup&file=HT-S3100_QSS_En.pdf (pg 2.) I thought that there were only 5 cables? Would i not plug a cable into the yellow jack of the "video 1" section? Would i do the same thing for my DVD player? My VHS player is just the yellow, red, and white cords, so im sure i can do that.

2. In the diagram () In the "monitor out" section, there is a cable running from that to the TV. Where do i plug that cable into on my TV? http://www.sanyotv.com/DP26_32648%20Owners%20Manual.pdf (page 6.) What kind of cable do i use?

3. I also got a coaxial cable, do i just plug that into my coaxial port on my TV and then plug that into the receiver?

I know i have more, but ill add them after i get some replies. THanks for the help!

 

[Adam]

Hi! Let me take a shot at some of your questions.

1. Well first off, where do i start? I have a Wii, dvd player, and a VHS player. What do I plug into the receiver? I have component cables for the Wii and the DVD player. Would i plug the component cables on the listed "component video, video 1 in" then plug the other plugs into the other "video 1" section? Diagram - http://63.148.251.135/redirect_service.cfm?type=QuickHookup&file=HT-S3100_QSS_En.pdf (pg 2.) I thought that there were only 5 cables? Would i not plug a cable into the yellow jack of the "video 1" section? Would i do the same thing for my DVD player? My VHS player is just the yellow, red, and white cords, so im sure i can do that.

Here's my suggestion based upon what you've told us:
1a. Connect the DVD component video (three plugs) into the receiver at the "COMPONENT VIDEO" section under "DVD IN".
1b. You'll want to use a digital audio connection between DVD player and the receiver, either optical or coax depending on what you have available. Let us know the model number of your DVD player, and we can give you more specifics.

2a. Connect the component video from the Wii into the receiver at the "COMPONENT VIDEO" section under "VIDEO 2 IN".
2b. Connect the analog audio (left/right RCA jacks) from the Wii into the receiver at the "VIDEO 2" section with the red and white inputs.

3. Connect the video and left/right audio outputs from the VCR to the "VIDEO 1" section on the receiver with the red and white audio inputs and the single yellow video input. I suggest using "VIDEO 1" for the VCR in case you decide to connect the audio and video outputs on the receiver under "VIDEO 1" to the audio and video inputs on the VCR at some point in the future.

2. In the diagram () In the "monitor out" section, there is a cable running from that to the TV. Where do i plug that cable into on my TV? http://www.sanyotv.com/DP26_32648%20Owners%20Manual.pdf (page 6.) What kind of cable do i use?

You will need to make two connections: one for the component video inputs, and one for the composite (yellow) video input from the VCR. This is because your receiver won't convert composite to component or vice versa. No big deal, it's just another cable to run. You'll want to look at page 6 of the TV owner's manual to which you linked for the following.
1. Connect the "OUT" jacks of the "COMPONENT VIDEO" section of the receiver to the component video jacks on the TV for either the "VIDEO2" or "VIDEO3" jacks. You need to select that input on the TV in order to watch the DVD player or the Wii.
2. Connect the "MONITOR OUT" on the receiver to the yellow jack of the "VIDEO1" on the TV. You'll need to select that input on the TV in order to watch the VCR.

3. I also got a coaxial cable, do i just plug that into my coaxial port on my TV and then plug that into the receiver?

Are you referring to the screw on cable from a cable provider or over-the-air antenna? If so, then yes - plug that into the TV. You could then connect the digital audio output from the TV (digital coax) to the digital coax input on the receiver - assuming that you didn't use that for the DVD player already (so, hopefully the DVD player has an optical digital audio output).


As far as cables are concerned:
1. Component video, composite video, analog audio, and digital coax will all use cables that have RCA connectors on the ends. Monoprice.com is a nice place to buy quality cables for a good price. You can get those cables at many places, though, such as Radio Shack, Target, or Home Depot.
2. Digital optical connections use an optical cable, like this one here.

 

[i1own0u]

Okay, i'll go fetch some cables this weekend. PLEASE don't be a stranger to this thread. I really appreciate your help, but my tv is downstairs, and the only thing i can do at the moment is attaching the speakers to the receiver. Ill also look for that DVD player number.

 

[i1own0u]

It may just be me, but i can't seem to find the edit button to edit my post. So anyway, the cable i was talking about was the digital coaxial cable. Would i plug that into the TV's port then plug that into the receiver? As for the DVD player, i do not think that it has a coaxial cable nor an optical digital audio output. I keep forgetting to look for the kind while im downstairs, but i promise that i'll get it soon.

 

[Adam]

No, not just you - the "Edit" button goes away after about an hour (I think).

Regarding the TV digital coax output, I mentioned connecting that to your receiver, so yes - you have the right idea there.

If the DVD player doesn't have a digital audio output, then you'd connect it to the receiver using the analog connections and would plug those into the "DVD IN" section on the back of the receiver. How many of those you'd use depends on how many analog audio outputs your DVD player has combined with how many you want to use (i.e. left/right versus multi-channel). If you let us know which DVD player you have, we can give better suggestions.

 

[i1own0u]

Back, and i finally got my DVD player. Its a Koss ks4110.

Pretty much says it all, but this is a good link for it.

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-KS4110-Progressive-Digital-Compatible/dp/B000JI7830

PS, im not going to buy a new DVD player, idc how crappy this one is.

Okay, well the system i have is supposedly 700 watts, shouldn't that be shaking my walls at max volume? We typically have to keep the volume at 40-50 out of 70 to get a decent sound coming from them. I'd compare 40-50 to about a regular TV's speaker setting for casual listening. The bass doesn't seem to be "putting out" well either. Idk whats wrong

Also, for the Receiver's "monitor out", what kind of cable should i use to plug that into my TV? And where do I plug that? Yes i know i've already asked, but WHAT KIND of cable will i need to go out and buy?

Also for the time being, my brother used the Red and White RCA cables and plugged them into the "CD player" section (in) and plugged that into the external speakers for my TV. Will i see a difference when i CORRECTLY set up my system?

 

[Adam]

Alrighty. I might continue this in another post after this.

Digital Audio Connections

1. Your DVD player does have a digital audio output. It's a coax audio output and is the orange jack on the back that says "Digital Out" (at least, I think it says that).
2. Your TV also has a coax digital audio output.
3. Your Onkyo only has one coax digital audio input, but it has two optical digital audio inputs. You can connect both the TV and the DVD player to the Onkyo using a digital audio connection (FAR better than the left/right analog connections), but you'll need a coax-to-optical adapter (something like this). That may or may not be worth the money to you, though - especially considering how cheap a new DVD player would be with an optical output.

Cables
Again, you just need a cable with RCA jacks on either end. For single connections (like the "monitor out" connection to your TV, or a coax digital audio connection), something like this would be great. For stereo connections (i.e. left/right analog audio), you could use two of those or just get one of these.

 

[Adam]

In terms of where to connect the "monitor out" from the receiver to the TV, you'd connect that to the yellow jack on the TV in the "VIDEO1" section. On page 6 of the manual for which you provided a link, that section of the TV's jack panel is labeled as (7).

 

[lsiberian]

Just to add. Any RCA cable will work. If your like me you have an abundance of this type of cable. For a digital connection I usually split one and use the other half for a subwoofer input.

 

[i1own0u]

I would also like to say that it is a 700 watt system. If i turn it up to max volume, shouldn't it be shaking my walls or windows or sumthing? I have it set up in a 16 feet long by 8 foot high room. I typically have it set to 40-50 volume, and the max is 70. 40-50 gives just a typically sound, like i just wanna sit and relax and watch my TV. I've compared that and it sounds just as loud as my TV's stock speakers at around 25% turned up.

The bass also seems weak, maybe theres some fine adjustments that i didn't find yet. Maybe if i set it up the correct way, all will be fine?

 

[Adam]

Oops, I forgot to post about your volume question.

When you have it set to 40 or 50, are you listening to the TV or something else? If it's the TV, how do you have the TV audio hooked up to the receiver? The reason that I'm asking is that I'm wondering if it's because your audio input signal is being affected by the volume control on your TV - causing it to be quieter than you would expect.

 

[lsiberian]

I would also like to say that it is a 700 watt system. If i turn it up to max volume, shouldn't it be shaking my walls or windows or sumthing? I have it set up in a 16 feet long by 8 foot high room. I typically have it set to 40-50 volume, and the max is 70. 40-50 gives just a typically sound, like i just wanna sit and relax and watch my TV. I've compared that and it sounds just as loud as my TV's stock speakers at around 25% turned up.

The bass also seems weak, maybe theres some fine adjustments that i didn't find yet. Maybe if i set it up the correct way, all will be fine?

Your system has speakers with an 82db sensitivity rating and only capable of 100 watts

That is so bad I don't even know what to do.

Ok here's a cheap upgrade that will improve your system a lot.


It's a HTIB without a true subwoofer. If you want a more powerful system you made a poor purchase i'm afraid. We've all been there. However the easiest way to improve bass is by adding a real subwoofer.

Since you bought a cheaper speaker system I assume your budget is limited.

I suggest you save up for the Dayton 12" that goes for 150 in our store. It comes with a 3 year warranty and free shipping. And is twice the size of your onkyo sub.

Can you return the system by chance? If so I would be happy to help you find a good system on your budget.

If not I can give you steps to improve your system while still using the existing speakers for surrounds.

Then I suggest The speaker company LCR3 or 2 or 1 even would be a major upgrade from those very inefficient speakers.

$160 dollars won't get you much i'm afraid.

 

[alexwakelin]

I would also like to say that it is a 700 watt system. If i turn it up to max volume, shouldn't it be shaking my walls or windows or sumthing?

The 700 watt rating for your system can be misleading. This is likely 100 watts x 5 (100 per speaker), plus another 200 for the subwoofer. Also, your system will never be putting out 100 watts to each speaker all at the same time, "700 watts of power" is simply marketing hype. As was mentioned before, the speakers in that system aren't very sensitive. Yours is a budget system, speakers in higher end systems often have around 89db sensitivity, and will play much louder with the same amound of power. The specs at amazon don't mention the size of the subwoofer, but they do say that it weighs in at 14.6 pounds. This is pretty puny by subwoofer standards. You could double check that everything is set up properly, are your speakers set to "small", and is the subwoofer set to on? If everything is set up properly, you may simply be expecting a bit much from a buget system.

 

[i1own0u]

Well since its a budget system, and the room seems to big for it anyway, im just going to leave it the way its setup. I have the white and red jacks plugged into video 3 and we just put it on that while watching the TV. We mute the TV while watching, and its just easier. Just have the WII, VCR, DVD hooked to the TV. I plugged the stuff in with the cables i got today, but when i plugged it in, i wouldn't get any noise or video, so i think this way will be the easiest.

 

[i1own0u]

Actually it was 250$ from newegg, and it has a 30 day return. I already set the box on fire though, but there is a year warranty. What would you recommend at a budget price though? What would you also recommend for what i have now?

 

[lsiberian]

Actually it was 250$ from newegg, and it has a 30 day return. I already set the box on fire though, but there is a year warranty. What would you recommend at a budget price though? What would you also recommend for what i have now?

Well that is a bit much for that system. I hope you got it new and that the price includes shipping.

Unless you can ship it back you really are best keeping what you have. You can use 4 of the speakers down the line for surrounds and just upgrade your front speakers with these.

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/LCR3-P-Series-Home-Theater-Front-Speakers-P41C6.aspx

They are much louder than your speakers. About 6db higher which is a major boost. And makes them 3 times more efficient.

Get one of these for a better bass response
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1973/66325/dayton-sub-100-10--125-watt-powered-subwoofer
or this
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1974/66325/dayton-sub-120-12--150-watt-powered-subwoofer

Also the infinity Beta series is great if you can find a pair of 20s.

 

[i1own0u]

so is the receiver garbage? or just the speakers?

 

[lsiberian]

so is the receiver garbage? or just the speakers?

I wouldn't call them garbage. That's a bit harsh. Its a 170 dollar system value wise. And it's hard to get anything amazing with that low of a budget.

But buying a home theater is like buying a car. You don't buy a new car unless you have the funds to get a good one that meets your needs. If a new one won't do then you'll have to go used.

That being said Onkyo is one of the best manufacturers of AVRs so the receiver is probably much better quality and maybe even more valuable than the speakers. It will probably be sufficient for most sub 500 speaker systems.

If you are willing to build up your system over time. You could have a really nice system. But you will need patience to save up over that time.

During that time I suggest you stick to this site and read what you can. There is a wealth of information here just for your benefit.

 

[i1own0u]

My dad has to make out a check for me because i bought it. He doesn't trust his credit card online. In the meantime i'll ask him if he wants to upgrade to get a full blown out sound.

 

[alexwakelin]

My dad has to make out a check for me because i bought it. He doesn't trust his credit card online. In the meantime i'll ask him if he wants to upgrade to get a full blown out sound.

The LCR combination from the speaker company is a good suggestion, as are the dayton subwoofers. If your dad does want to upgrade, and doesn't want to do it all at once, I would suggest getting just a center channel from the speaker company. When watching movies, all of your dialogue is going to come from the center channel, and you will notice a big increase in sound quality for the least amount of money. The speaker company sells a good center channel for $50 with free shipping. Later down the road, you could add new front left and right speakers and a subwoofer. You could try to recoup some of your money by selling the speakers on craigslist or ebay as you replace them.