Best Cheap HTiB For PS3/Blueray

I was about to post about this same thing until I noticed this thread. Very new to the home audio things and was hoping for a bit of help.

most HTIBs will not support HD audio...there is a new sony one coming out though that supposedly does, i forget the model # though

found it, it's the sony HT-7200DH, retails for $499.

I am seriously considering the Panasonic SC-PT760 simply because of the wireless rears which a big plus for me. It can also be had for $359 @ BB and CC right now and has good reviews

The Panasonic ones you mentioned are beautiful. Wireless rear speakers are a huge bonus as well.

However the SC-PT660, seem to be the exact same without the wireless rear speakers. Also $100 less than the SC-PT760s.

Good to hear!

But the wireless rears are totally worth it for me...besides it's my college graduation gift

Samsung as720 comes with some pretty hefty speakers for an htib.

I could be running off bad info, i really know nothing about audio but will be buying a panny plasma and have discounts when bundled with panny sound systems. whats been getting my attention is the lack of hdmi in/out puts they have. the panny 660 doesnt have any hdmi from what ive read, mostly just from bb and cc websites given, but the 760 has hdmi in and out. Is that information correct or does this even matter? the wireless rear receiver is a big selling point for me as well but id feel stupid if i bought a setup for the wireless rear speakers to avoid clutter and then end up getting overrun with wires behind the tv and a dozen different procedures to get good sound for each different way i use the tv. would the 760 be good for simplicity and have good sound? the home theatre setup will be used for laptop, tv, and xbox so i figured it would be simple and best just to keep everything hdmi, run all three to the tv then the tv to the receiver. is this at all feasible and logical?

SCPT-760 does not have any hdmi inputs, it does have an hdmi output though b/c there is an upconverting dvd player built in to the system. As you said, you can run everything into the tv via hdmi and utilize the optical output of the tv to run into the optical input of the Htib. This system sounds great for what it is. I would greatly consider the SCPT-960 as it adds bigger speakers, more power, and floors stands for both the front and the rear speakers. Retail on the 960 is 499. Most sellers are running $200 of Panny Htib w/ purchase of select TV sets.

I knew it was too good to be true, pain in the box circuit city. Thanks for the correction, I probably would've purchased the system assuming I had accurate info.

http://www.soundmatters.com/index.html

Check any of those out. Personally I'm waiting for the SLIMstage30 to be released for me that would be perfect.

Onkyo HTS 5100

It may not be cheap, but you can also make it a permanent deal for your new house too.

I don't think there is an HTIB solution in your budget range that will support audio. The PS3 does not have analog outs so you will not be able to enjoy lossless audio. This includes the aforementioned Onkyo HTS 5100.

Sony ht7200dh & samsung as720 are 2 htib's that do hdmi audio for around 500$. Sony ss2000 htib does hdmi audio & is around 400$. There's a couple harder to find older ones at the link (sony sf2000, onkyo sp907):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1019554

I too am in the same boat. Looking for a entry level HTIB with HDMI audio and rear wireless.

Being in Canada is limiting my selection, as it seems a lot of models are not available here.

I have to agree. I don't think you're going to find a receiver in this price range that actually processes HDMI audio, and that's not even talking about a complete system. What a lot of systems in this range are going to have is HDMI passthrough, which is strictly for video. You will still need to connect your audio via optical or digital coaxial.

Okay....does anyone actually have the panny sc pt760? We purchased one yesterday....it is still in the box. I posted a few things in some threads yesterday but have had no replies. Sort of a newbie in the audio area. What are the benefits of having a system that cvonnects the audio and visual thru hdmi? The salesperson I spoke with told me that no system uses both thru hdmi. I told him that I read that some did and he then said that maybe some highend setups might.

We have a 46xbr4 with an hd dvr with FIOS. What is the best way to hook it up for the best audio/visual experience? Should we get a different system? The wireless rears will make our installation more simplified. Any info appreciated.

Thanks

Only the ones that do hdmi audio can do the hd audio from the ps3. But you could say that if the speakers aren't that great, it won't matter. Plus, sometimes the sound will shut off with the tv. It's a simple one cable connection for audio & video though. Hdmi for video & digital audio for audio isn't so bad though.

From what you have said, you are looking for a cheap "temporary" solution. You want to spend $300 now, throw it away in a year, and buy something better in the future. My advice would be to buy an Onkyo 605 (if you can find one) or a 606 now and buy cheap speakers. That will keep you close to your budget and allow for you to only upgrade the speakers in the future as both of these amps will decode the audio from HDMI. I would not recommend buying anything that you don't plan to keep. Both of these Onkyo amps are worth keeping and building a complete system off of.

I think if you want something under $300 that passes HDMI audio/video that is temporary (or can be passed to a bedroom with a TV that has HDMI) you should go with the Sony CT100. It's just a sound bar that you put under or over your TV and a subwoofer so no wires to run to your couch. The sound bar has 3 speakers inside so it's a 3.1 that's supposed to simulate surround sound. It definitely is an improvement over TV speakers. It also processes the latest codecs for your PS3, DTS-MA. Here's the thread on it. Anyone have any questions let me know.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1000281

I googled this item but couldn't find it. What is the exact model number? Do you have a link to it on Panasonic's website?


NEVER, NEVER, NEVER go to a salesman without knowing a lot about a model that you are buying. Unfortunately the pay that they give some of these salesmen doesn't encourage them to really understand their industry. You don't need to spend any more than $400 to purchase a true 5.1 surround system with HDMI audio/video. The benefit is that you get digital audio/video in one cable (some people have HDMI issues but that's a whole different argument). Also you can buy HDMI cables for under $10 and the quality is the same as the supposed "high end" Monster HDMI cables. Just google HDMI and you'll learn about how it supports more than 5.1 surround sound.



Look in the back of your HD DVR box and there should be an HDMI connection. I'm assuming your Sony TV has at least one HDMI connection as well. Just hook it up to whatever HDMI receiver/HTIB that you end up getting. You'll get the best audio and video.


I don't mess with wireless rears as I've read nothing but complaints about them. If you don't want to/can't run wires behind your couch then go with the Sony CT-100.