HDMI Question?

Question

Newbie here. I'm trying to understand HDMI and Home Thetre systems. I currently have a Panasonic Plasma HD tv with 2 HDMI inputs and a comcast digital cable box with HDTV. I'm looking to get an economical Home theatre system and DVD player. I believe that I want to get a DVD player that does upconvert for my HD tv which requires the HDMI? Most of the lower end receivers I am looking at don't have HDMI inputs or outputs. If I get an upconvert DVD can I/should I use the hDMI port and connect it directly to the TV and then run a seperate audio cable to a receiver. Or should I fork out the money to get a receiver with HDMI ports. What are the disadvantages or advantages? Also I've seen some recievers that do the upconvert...is that a better way to go? Ultimately I'm trying to achieve a decent sounding system that's easy to use without spending big bucks. I want to hook up a DVD player, VCR, and play music through the surround sound. I was looking at the Onkyo HT-S590S Home theatre. thanks!

Answer 1

Why bother getting an HDTV and not getting proper sound equipment.
You shouldn't cheat yourself. You spend big bucks to get the best picture you can, you should spend an equal amount for the best sound you can get.
Might as well watch HDTV through the crappy TV speakers.

Answer 2

There is a difference between expensive and budget HDMI cables. It revolves around the quality of the cable build and the materials used. The question is whether this will affect my set up. First you should determine the length between your source and your display. If this is less than 15 feet a "standard" cable will be ok. If it is more than 15 feet you are best to consider a "high speed" cable. Make sure that you buy from a reputable source and that the cable is marked with the HDMI logo and says that it is a version 1.3 (don't worry about a, b or c as these are only testing protocols) If you live in a coastal or high humidity area it is worth considering getting a cable with gold connectors. While this will not improve your signal it will stop corrosion degrading the signal over time. Some people assume that as the signals are digital either the cable works or not. Sometimes however the 1s and 0s aren't all there because of signal degradation due to inferior cable construction. That can be especially true with audio and video sources such as CDs and DVDs. The signal will degrade gracefully, to a point and then it will break up. Music and video is not like data. Digital signal processors can work with a degraded signal and deliver less than perfect sound and pictures. You can never improve a digital signal by using an expensive cable but you can certainly degrade a signal using an inferior cable.

Answer 3

I would hook up the HDMI directly from the DVD player and cable box to the two HDMI inputs on the TV. I would not use the receiver upconvert to HDMI, since that means you went through an analog stage. Run separate coax or optical to your receiver for audio. Unfortunately this means you have to switch both your TV and the receiver to change inputs. The only way to avoid that is to get a receiver that handles HDMI switching. They are becoming availble, so you may want to wait for a reasonably-priced one.

Onkyo is good, but check out Denon and Yamaha receivers as well. These are all highly rated and will give you good sound if you go for the higher level models.

Answer 4

I was a newbie too.

For cheap, you can get an upconvert player, and run an HDMI cable to the TV. Just disable the "HDMI audio output" option on the player, or just mute your TV.

You can then get an optical or coaxial cable, depending on what the player and receiver accept, and run that cable for the 5.1 audio.

This way, you still get 5.1 sound and a high quality picture. You can inexpensive cables at www.monoprice.com. I got all my cables there, and they work perfectly.

Answer 5

Save yourself the time, effort, an money and do as I did. I have a Samsung 32" with 2 HDMI slots. I also bought the Samsung HT-TQ85/XAA with tallboys. 1000wats of power, upconverts, and a universal remote. You'll thank me later....