I've been trolling the forums here for the past week or so and am ready to hit the launch button. I'm the classic newb starting from scratch, with the possible exception being that I am not a total audio newb (I used to run sound and light boards for a 860 seat theater, but it was a longtime ago!)
My plan is to build a HT over time.... I don't have the $ to just buy everything at once, so I am thinking I will start with the audio. What I want to do first is get a receiver and two speakers (which will eventually be my left and right for the HT).
Here are the room basics: Living room, probably 18 x 10 or so with 9 foot ceiling. TV (to be bought later) will be hung over my fireplace between two bookshelves on one of the 10 foot walls. I will likely use the set up for 50% music, 25% movies, 25% games. I plan to hook a computer into the system (HT Computer which will handle most music, serve as DVR, stream Netflix video and be a gaming platform) and may also get a PS3 for the blu-ray and game factor.
Now to the questions:
1: I am on the fence about getting a 5.1 vs a 7.1 system. In a room as small as mine, is worth the extra coin for 7.1? And what is 7.1 vs. 7.2? If 7.1 is going to be the new standard, I would want to buy it now rather than upgrade later.
2: HDMI inputs. Seems like this is important, but I don't understand why. How many of these do I need given my setup? And folks talk about the 1 cable solution, but I don't get that either. Doesn't everything just plug into the receiver? Or are there other cable routings that you need to run to get the most out of things?
3: What is a good receiver in the $400 and under range for such a set up? I plan to eventually spend more $ on all the speakers than on the receiver, but that is for a different forum (although I am happy for any input here!)
Here are a few I am looking at.
SONY 7.1-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver STR-DH800
ONKYO 5.1-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR507
ONKYO 7.2-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR607
I'm totally open to other options too if folks have suggestions. Thanks in advance for thoughts and inputs.
My plan is to build a HT over time.... I don't have the $ to just buy everything at once, so I am thinking I will start with the audio. What I want to do first is get a receiver and two speakers (which will eventually be my left and right for the HT).
Here are the room basics: Living room, probably 18 x 10 or so with 9 foot ceiling. TV (to be bought later) will be hung over my fireplace between two bookshelves on one of the 10 foot walls. I will likely use the set up for 50% music, 25% movies, 25% games. I plan to hook a computer into the system (HT Computer which will handle most music, serve as DVR, stream Netflix video and be a gaming platform) and may also get a PS3 for the blu-ray and game factor.
Now to the questions:
1: I am on the fence about getting a 5.1 vs a 7.1 system. In a room as small as mine, is worth the extra coin for 7.1? And what is 7.1 vs. 7.2? If 7.1 is going to be the new standard, I would want to buy it now rather than upgrade later.
2: HDMI inputs. Seems like this is important, but I don't understand why. How many of these do I need given my setup? And folks talk about the 1 cable solution, but I don't get that either. Doesn't everything just plug into the receiver? Or are there other cable routings that you need to run to get the most out of things?
3: What is a good receiver in the $400 and under range for such a set up? I plan to eventually spend more $ on all the speakers than on the receiver, but that is for a different forum (although I am happy for any input here!)
Here are a few I am looking at.
SONY 7.1-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver STR-DH800
ONKYO 5.1-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR507
ONKYO 7.2-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR607
I'm totally open to other options too if folks have suggestions. Thanks in advance for thoughts and inputs.