Surround Sound Opinions...

[dmclone]

Lets straighten some stuff out here.

"audio going both ways"=I don't know what this means but I have a feeling that you mean that HDMI can send both the audio and video-It's a one cord solution


Cabling-It's no cheaper with HDMI just less cables. This is assuming that you don't go out and buy Monster cable.

 

[dmclone]

Back to the topic at hand.


You have an LG TV, and Xbox 360, and an Xbox360 HD DVD player.

What do you use for TV? Do you have HD cable, Directv, Dish? What kind of box?


Since I don't have this answer I'll just assume that you run non-hd content to this TV. Keep in mind that I've never had an Xbox 360 so I'm making some assumptions.


#1 Your LG TV has an HDMI input but it's currently worthless since neither the Xbox nor the HD DVD player uses HDMI. I assume your using component cable from the XBox to the TV? No problem here.

#2 Since your not using HDMI than you don't need a big fancy receiver just something basic. You have a couple of options but here is what I would do if i was in your situation and didn't plan on buying any A/V gear with HDMI in the future.


Video
Run component wire from your 360 to an A/V receiver component video input

Run component wire from your A/V receiver to your TV

Audio
Run Optical audio from your 360 to an A/V receiver (I assume optical is the best you can do with a 360?)

You then have to decide what speakers to get and wire them.

 

[pulse]

I'm thinking something on a cheaper scale... something to upgrade from the speakers built into the TV (42" LG LCD 5 months old)... works well with an xbox360 with the HDDVD attachment... a small room setup... don't really care about the "decor" of the room. I'll really just be using it for movies and xbox games... not listening to music on it.

So whatever I do... do I NEED to have a receiver... or can I just plug some dolby capable speakers directly into the TV and turn on Dolby 5.1 on the xbox setup menu? This is probably a stupid question... but I know absolutely nothing about audio systems.

Yes you need a receiver. Setting up surround sound all depends on how much money you want to spend and your taste. Some people love cubes and a subwoofer, while others prefer large full range/sounding fronts so they don't need a sub. Depending on the output on your TV, I'm guessing you have a coax digital out and not HDMI out, so you'd need a coax input on your receiver (or optical if you have that on your TV), and also similar input for your XBox (coax/optical or HDMI input).

 

[dmclone]

Let us know what you want to spend for the whole set-up and we'll tell you what to buy. I like spending other peoples money.

 

[dbronco7sc]

Back to the topic at hand.


You have an LG TV, and Xbox 360, and an Xbox360 HD DVD player.

What do you use for TV? Do you have HD cable, Directv, Dish? What kind of box?


Since I don't have this answer I'll just assume that you run non-hd content to this TV. Keep in mind that I've never had an Xbox 360 so I'm making some assumptions.


#1 Your LG TV has an HDMI input but it's currently worthless since neither the Xbox nor the HD DVD player uses HDMI. I assume your using component cable from the XBox to the TV? No problem here.

#2 Since your not using HDMI than you don't need a big fancy receiver just something basic. You have a couple of options but here is what I would do if i was in your situation and didn't plan on buying any A/V gear with HDMI in the future.

I do have HDMI... it's a brand new LCD TV...

LG - 42" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV - 42LB5D

3 hdmi inputs. I AM using HDMI from my xbox360 into my TV. And this IS my only source of HD content (I don't have HD Cable at the moment just games and movies). And yes... I was a sucker and got the Monster 1000 HDMI cable (but that one has a cable for life policy... so if a newer, better cable comes out I can get it for free)

Yes you need a receiver. Setting up surround sound all depends on how much money you want to spend and your taste. Some people love cubes and a subwoofer, while others prefer large full range/sounding fronts so they don't need a sub. Depending on the output on your TV, I'm guessing you have a coax digital out and not HDMI out, so you'd need a coax input on your receiver (or optical if you have that on your TV), and also similar input for your XBox (coax/optical or HDMI input).

Again... I have HDMI connections for both the TV (3... one used to connect to Xbox) and xBox (1... used to connect to TV)

I don't need the best or loudest thing... just something that is not a downgrade from the TV's speakers and will give me sound from all around me. I always see the option of selecting Dolby 5.1 (on my TV system settings, on my Xbox system settings, and various movies on their setup pages)

Let us know what you want to spend for the whole set-up and we'll tell you what to buy. I like spending other peoples money.

I was hoping between $200 - $350 but might wait a little while and spend $500 if that seems like the best option.

 

[dmclone]

Sweet, that makes life a little easier. I assumed you had one of the older Xbox's that didn't come with HDMI.

So with your set-up all you'll need to do is run HDMI from the Xbox to a A/V receiver and then another HDMI cable from the A/V receiver to the TV.
You need to wait and save up. For $500 your best bet is probably a "home theater in a box" type set-up and I don't mean Blose.

Something like this would be a good start. Samsung HT-AS720

HT-AS720 5.1 Channel Blu Ray Receiver / Speaker System

Consumers who already enjoy the full HD 1080p cinematic video quality of Samsung's Blu-ray disc players and HDTVs can now have an audio experience to match. The HT-AS720 5.1 channel hi-definition receiver / speaker system provides powerful, theater-like sound. With its slick, deep black design and soft blue LED accents, the HT-AS720 seamlessly boosts both the audio presence and visual aesthetics of the home theater to a new level. A fully powered subwoofer, accentuated by five satellite speakers, gives the HT-AS720 a rumbling 650 Watts of total output power to keep movie and audio fans satisfied. A complete portfolio of innovative features includes two HDMI-CEC inputs and 1 HDMI output for on-the-fly switching of components as well as 1080p pass through capability for a high-definition viewing experience.

The AS720 can also support the pass through of Dolby True HD and DTS HD and has a built in Dolby Digital Plus decoder allowing consumers to experience their favorite movies with clear, full-bodied sound. The design and performance of the AS720 has also been perfectly matched with Samsung's new Blu-ray players as well as with their award-winning HDTVs. While the performance of these products are impressive, they will impress even when not turned on