Hi, I am very new and unknowledgeable. If you choose to respond please use small words. I am building a home and included in the design a small media room. I have pre wired the room for 7.1 surround sound using the Dolby Lab suggested layout. I plan to use A and B switch to go between 5.1 and 7.1 surround.

Here is my question (s) With this equipment what is the appropriate settings and connections.

Onkyo Sr 800 HTIB
Panasonic BD-10
Panasonic 50 PZ85U

Thanks
Joe

Hey Joe! I'm a new guy too on here so hopefully some more knowledgeable folks will post a response too.

But yeah, I tried to look for good pictures of your receiver's back but I really couldn't find anything I like. Regardless - If you only want to do the connections from your receiver to your TV once, try connecting as many video connections as you can. Even though I very much doubt you'll use half of them, you can connect your composite (usually a yellow looking connection), your component (three connections usually red, green and blue) your s-video and most importantly for that nice TV of yours, an HDMI cable from your receiver to your TV.

From there you have to connect your components to your receiver. It looks like for now you'll just have your blu ray player so connect that to your receiver via an HDMI cable. If you get a cable box, make sure you get a HD one and also connect that to your receiver via HDMI if possible.

Let's see... I think that will get you going. Just follow the instruction book on your receiver if you're a bit leery. You do it once or twice and you'll be fine. As far as settings on your receiver - Again consult your manual but there should be a quick and easy auto setup if you don't want to get too far into things like speaker placement, distance and other stuff. GL!

Your Onkyo has two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output.

To get the the full audio from Blu-Ray discs you must use HDMI from your BD player to the Onkyo.

HDMI from your BD player to the Onkyo
HDMI from the Onkyo to the Panny plasma

If you add an HD cable or sat box run HDMI or component from that box to the Onkyo (easiest)

If you get over the air HD then you will need to run an digital audio connection from the TV to the Onkyo.

You must use an HDMI or digital audio connection to get the DD 5.1 soundtrack on HD program material.

Buy inexpensive cables on the internet or locally--no need to use fancy/expensive stuff.

Use the auto setup on the Onkyo to set speaker levels etc.

Buy two HDMI cables from Monoprice.com

http://www.dealbeeper.com/uploads/images/meritline_HDMI_cable.jpg

Agree. I've placed several orders with Monoprice and their quality and price is excellent. I just rec'd a roll of their 14 gauge speaker wire and it's identical to the over priced wire found in the big box stores.

Welcome to AVS. Another option not already mentioned is Blue Jeans Cable. Very good cable for a reasonable price.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. The Panny BD10 is a good player and I'm not that familiar with the HTIB
However, I really don't see the need for an A/B switch. The source material will dictate that for you.

I plan to use A and B switch to go between 5.1 and 7.1 surround.


I missed that. :o I agree; there seems to be nothing to A/B. If you connect rear surround speakers your auto setup will detect them and set the levels etc, or you will have a setup menu option to select the number/size of speakers connected. Your receiver may also have an option for running the main system as 5.1 and using the two rear channels for speakers in another room. But you do that at the receiver and not with an A/B switch.

When you receiver detects the digital program stream it will apply the proper decoding (stereo, DD 5.1, DD Ex, DTS, Dolby True HD etc.). You will also have a variety of processing choices that you can make after decoding, Prologic IIx for example. It derives the rear channels from 5.1 material.

Ummm... The HT-SR800 does not pass audio over HDMI.

I have one and for audio you need to hook up a separate digital audio cable from your source (either optical or coaxial digital, there are two of both on the receiver).

The receiver can then decode the "lossy" codecs from your BD player or it can matrix it to 7.1 using Dolby ProLogic IIx.

Make sure once you get everything hooked up to use the Audessy (sp?) room calibration mic. It made a world of difference in my setup.

Good Luck!