Summary to my long post below...
1. What HDMI cable (3-6ft,black,1.3???) to get and from where (probably monoprice)?? (1080p tv, ps3, xbox, onkyo hts6200 run as 5.1, 2.0 zone2 for kitchen)
2. What speaker wire to get? (onkyo HTS6200 as 5.1, 2.0 zone2 for kitchen)
3. What height for surrounds on 5.1 (surrounds on Gemini 1 stands so can float height)?

**************

Need 2 home theater setups. The main one I plan to build component by component when I can afford it. The other will be a much lower quality HTiB that will be the main one until I can afford to actually piece a decent setup together.

I got my HTiB last night. Onkyo HT-S6200 for ~550 after tax with some Gemini 1 speaker stands. Quite pleased with the price and will have to do on sound quality for now.

The HHGreg sales rep was trying to sell me 90 dollar HDMI cable and said stuff about 2160i and 2160p and 24+ GB transfer rates and lifetime warranty and free trade up on hdmi cables...blah blah blah. BS is all I can say. Now, my cable company gave me a free hdmi cable with my DVR/ HD box. It seems ok and my setup isnt cream of the crop either.

I have an Olevia 37' lcd that has HDMI, but only goes to 1080i
I have an older XBox that has composite, not hdmi
a few other things but thats it. planning to get ps3 for BR and going to get a bigger 1080p capable tv in the next few months.

So my thought now is to run current hdmi cable from box to onkyo and another from onkyo to tv since it will handle audio since its 1.3 hdmi.

Can you help me pick out an hdmi cable (3ft-6ft, preferably black) that will support my 1080p tv to come and BR ps3. I will probably need 3-5 cables. I am kind of lost in the 1.3,1.3a,1.3b specs and dont know what I really need. I looked at mono price and my eyes glazed over at so much information. I have read tons of other posts about cables and wires but not sure what will satisfy my needs.

I also need new speaker wire, the ones in the box suck and one comment everyone seems to agree on is upgrading the speaker wire on HTiBs. Suggestion on what to get (it still needs to fit in those clips on the back of the speakers but larger than the standard stuff that came in the box).

Finally, what is the preferred height of my surround sound speakers? Above or at ear level. I am running the 7.1 HTiB as 5.1. The 2 surrounds will be attached to Gemini 1 stands so I can float the height to where I need it. Will do some sound tests when its all set up finally.

Come on now, how about some responses?

This is what I have come up with on the hdmi cable. Is this good ?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=4965&seq=1&format=2

This is what I came up with for my speaker wire? Is this 16g ok or should I consider 14g? This is going to run across floor/under carpet.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2793&seq=1&format=2

And I am still a bit confused on this part, whether I need an optical cable to get my component xbox 360 to my tv. Do I run component and an optical to AVR and then hdmi to tv and all is good with video on tv and audio on onkyo system? Some people say they have issues with this AVR and a non hmdi version of xbox. How can I get my 1080i xbox video to my tv if the AVR doesnt do video upconvert? Anyways, if I need an optical cable, i found this one.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2

In regards to the component xbox 360 and the receiver...

I think I got this now, but just need some confirmation. The component output of the 360, if hooked up to the AVR, will output sound (via onkyo) but not video to my tv. I assume then that the video component cables need to be hooked direct to TV, the audio cables not hooked up to tv or could put them into the AVR, but preferably, send optical from xbox to AVR and that will let the onkyo get the best quality sound?

Please let me know about my previous post too in regards to cables and wires. Also, anyone know of an ideal height for my surrounds?

incognito351
Come on now, how about some responses?

I believe no repsond is because there are about 50 threads on this topic.
But you are on the right track, Monoprice and Blue Jeans Cable are excellenent places to shop for your cable needs.

This is what I have come up with on the hdmi cable. Is this good ?
This would be good but if you are running the HMDI behind a wall. If not then this HDMI product #4957 (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=4957&seq=1&format=2) will do.

This is what I came up with for my speaker wire? Is this 16g ok or should I consider 14g? This is going to run across floor/under carpet.
IMO, running across floor is not a good idea. Read some good info at http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm. Use CL2 rated speaker wires if you are planning on running through walls.

In regards to the component xbox 360 and the receiver...
Confirmed.

Hope this helps.

incognito351
Also, anyone know of an ideal height for my surrounds?

Sorry, missed your last question. Left and Right Surround speakers should be placed to the sides of your seating position just above ear level to maximize ambience (from Dolby.com (http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/speaker-setup-guide/index.html#)).

Simliar question ...

I'm planning to purchase a Sammy LED, either the Denon 1910/2310 and most likely the Sammy BD-P1600. How many HDMI cables would i need? i'll also have my Time Warner HD cable box. Would I only need 3 cables then?

and what would the connections be?

TV to cable box
TV to AVR
BluRay to AVR?

and which of the Monoprice HDMI cables would u guys recommend? 22, 24 or 28AWG? I wanna make sure I see that "soap opera" look while watching BluRay!! =D

Pls advise.

TIA!

CenterForAnts
I'm planning to purchase a Sammy LED, either the Denon 1910/2310 and most likely the Sammy BD-P1600. How many HDMI cables would i need? i'll also have my Time Warner HD cable box. Would I only need 3 cables then?

Three will do, but pick an extra HDMI thats long enough (cable box to Sammy) in case an handshake issue arise between the cable box and avr unit. Also get an optical cable to run from cable box to avr unit (if handshake arise).

and what would the connections be?

cable box ---> HDMI ---> Denon ---I _____HDMI______ Sammy
Bluray ------> HDMI ---> Denon ---I

and which of the Monoprice HDMI cables would u guys recommend? 22, 24 or 28AWG?
28AWG will do if you are not going in-wall. The others are stiff cables for in-wall (CL2 rated).

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the responses JChin. I was able to make the appropriate decisions for which cables and wires to purchase. I dont need CL2 rated since I wont go in wall, just sort of stuffing the wire into the space between carpet and molding as a temporary thing. Future plans to run cables in the house, I will make sure to get CL2 then.

I ended up purchasing the following items...

4x HDMI (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10243&cs_id=1024008&p_id=4957&seq=1&format=2)

2x optical (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2)

2x 16g speaker wire (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2793&seq=1&format=2)

I am looking forward to getting this all up and installed finally...upcoming weekend project for me.

I am reading about installation of wires to avoid signal distortions on speaker wire with power and other cords. Reading this. (http://www.audioholics.com/education/cables/connection-tips-101-cabling-your-system)
In tip 3, it states to put cables in 4 sets..
"
Trunk #1 is for all power cords.
Trunk #2 is for all speaker wire.
Trunk #3 is for all audio interconnects.
Trunk #4 is for all video cables.
"

Right, I know what power cords are. i know what speaker wire is. I know what video cables are (HDMI, Svid etc). But I am not certain I understand audio interconnects? Is this opticals? What else is this?

Also, when we talk about component cables, usually RGB and LR audio channel individuals are bundled together. So then do I run that cable with vid or audio. In my case, I assume vid since I wont use the audio on it. But in the event that my AVR would video upconvert, then probably put that with audio interconnects?

Would the heaver gauge wire that runs AVR to powered sub be considered speaker wire or audio interconnect?

Just curious now, do people actually do this or does everyone just have a mass of wires in a ball behind their systems. Just curious on how important this is. Seems like it holds some merit but sometimes we go overboard for minimal gains.

CenterForAnts


Three will do, but pick an extra HDMI thats long enough (cable box to Sammy) in case an handshake issue arise between the cable box and avr unit. Also get an optical cable to run from cable box to avr unit (if handshake arise).



cable box ---> HDMI ---> Denon ---I _____HDMI______ Sammy
Bluray ------> HDMI ---> Denon ---I


28AWG will do if you are not going in-wall. The others are stiff cables for in-wall (CL2 rated).

Hope this helps.

thanks a bunch, jchin! yeah thaty was helpful. hey question: why wouldnt/shouldnt i hook 1 of the hdmi cables straight from the bluray to the tv? is that ok/better, or not? thx

incognito351
Just curious now, do people actually do this or does everyone just have a mass of wires in a ball behind their systems. Just curious on how important this is. Seems like it holds some merit but sometimes we go overboard for minimal gains.

I don't have any signal distortions issue at all. I separated power, speaker and audio/video (#3 & #4 is together).

CenterForAnts
why wouldnt/shouldnt i hook 1 of the hdmi cables straight from the bluray to the tv? is that ok/better, or not? thx

Simple, you will miss out on the HD Audio on the BDs.