Discussion
Probably a quick question for Plotloss but I thought i'd ask in here (AVForums seem fairly quiet at the moment)
We've just had an offer accepted on our first house (which we're over the moon about). Now its need of a major redecoration so the first job will be the lounge and as part of this I get to upgrade the dvd player etc.
Current system is a:
Toshiba 32WL66
NTL Digital
Panasonic 5.1 DVD Player (all in one solution approx 4 years old)
Now the TV will go in the wall and my plan is to have all the AV gear in one corner out of the way. To do this i'm going to upgrade to an HDMI AV Amp, HDMI DVD Player and Virgin V+.
The plan being to run 1 HDMI cable from the TV to the Amp with the DVD Player and V+ box plugged into the amp. I'll also run a remote sender to under the TV as i'm planning to locate all the hardware in a corner out of line of sight.
So the next questions are:
I'm assuming i'll just need to run the following through the wall from the amp to the TV:
2 x HDMI (includes a spare)
1 x Power
1 x CoAx (not from the amp but just in case)
What about connecting a Media PC? Could I connect that via the amp as well or would I need to run a cable up to the TV.
I've got a budget of around £1000 for the amp, dvd player and speakers.
I like the look and the price of the Onkya 674 amp at around £399 which would leave me £600 for the dvd player and speakers. I know it's all a matter of taste but are there any recommendations?
Speaker wise we want small and discreete wall mounted speakers (rears mounted on stands) rather than big floor standers. Something like the Kef Eggs or Tannoy HTS100 (approx £300-£350).
The name of the game is a discreet but good system mainly for films but also for background music (planning to run 2 additional speakers from the amp into the kitchen). In the future i'll add a CD Player and a DAB radio.
I suppose my question really is.... am I along the right lines? In the grand scheme of things this is a "budget" install but I want to get the best for my budget! Assuming the amp is £400 and the speakers are £350 i'll have around £250 for an HDMI dvd player and all the cabling I need.
Thanks in advance and I hope i haven't confused anyone (I just want to get this right first time around!)
Phill
We've just had an offer accepted on our first house (which we're over the moon about). Now its need of a major redecoration so the first job will be the lounge and as part of this I get to upgrade the dvd player etc.
Current system is a:
Toshiba 32WL66
NTL Digital
Panasonic 5.1 DVD Player (all in one solution approx 4 years old)
Now the TV will go in the wall and my plan is to have all the AV gear in one corner out of the way. To do this i'm going to upgrade to an HDMI AV Amp, HDMI DVD Player and Virgin V+.
The plan being to run 1 HDMI cable from the TV to the Amp with the DVD Player and V+ box plugged into the amp. I'll also run a remote sender to under the TV as i'm planning to locate all the hardware in a corner out of line of sight.
So the next questions are:
I'm assuming i'll just need to run the following through the wall from the amp to the TV:
2 x HDMI (includes a spare)
1 x Power
1 x CoAx (not from the amp but just in case)
What about connecting a Media PC? Could I connect that via the amp as well or would I need to run a cable up to the TV.
I've got a budget of around £1000 for the amp, dvd player and speakers.
I like the look and the price of the Onkya 674 amp at around £399 which would leave me £600 for the dvd player and speakers. I know it's all a matter of taste but are there any recommendations?
Speaker wise we want small and discreete wall mounted speakers (rears mounted on stands) rather than big floor standers. Something like the Kef Eggs or Tannoy HTS100 (approx £300-£350).
The name of the game is a discreet but good system mainly for films but also for background music (planning to run 2 additional speakers from the amp into the kitchen). In the future i'll add a CD Player and a DAB radio.
I suppose my question really is.... am I along the right lines? In the grand scheme of things this is a "budget" install but I want to get the best for my budget! Assuming the amp is £400 and the speakers are £350 i'll have around £250 for an HDMI dvd player and all the cabling I need.
Thanks in advance and I hope i haven't confused anyone (I just want to get this right first time around!)
Phill
**bump** again!
Just been reading Skibum's thread on building his Media Centre PC looks like i'm on the right lines of doing the following:
TV <-- HDMI 1 --> AMP
AMP <-- HDMI --> DVD
AMP <-- HDMI --> VIRGIN V+
TV <-- HDMI 2 --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
AMP <-- OPITICAL OUTPUT --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?
Just been reading Skibum's thread on building his Media Centre PC looks like i'm on the right lines of doing the following:
TV <-- HDMI 1 --> AMP
AMP <-- HDMI --> DVD
AMP <-- HDMI --> VIRGIN V+
TV <-- HDMI 2 --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
AMP <-- OPITICAL OUTPUT --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?
pmanson said:
**bump** again!
Just been reading Skibum's thread on building his Media Centre PC looks like i'm on the right lines of doing the following:
TV <-- HDMI 1 --> AMP
AMP <-- HDMI --> DVD
AMP <-- HDMI --> VIRGIN V+
TV <-- HDMI 2 --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
AMP <-- OPITICAL OUTPUT --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?
Just been reading Skibum's thread on building his Media Centre PC looks like i'm on the right lines of doing the following:
TV <-- HDMI 1 --> AMP
AMP <-- HDMI --> DVD
AMP <-- HDMI --> VIRGIN V+
TV <-- HDMI 2 --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
AMP <-- OPITICAL OUTPUT --> MEDIA CENTRE PC
Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree?
that's exactly the way I have mine set up, except that the PC audio is connected by coax.
Connection wise, thats right however bear in mind the following.
As the 674 only has HDMI switching across two inputs you need to decide whether you'll watch more content in 5.1 from the Media Centre or the Virgin box (I'm taking it as read that the DVD player will occupy HDMI 1). I dont know whether Virgin transmit in 5.1 like Sky HD if they dont go direct from V+ to TV as going via the amp will be a waste of an input. Alternative you could get an external HDMI switcher and use HDMI for all 3 but this will eat a chunk of your DVD/Speakers budget.
If the V+ has Digital Coaxial output (SPDIF) use that in preference to the optical TOSLink as SPDIF is less prone to jitter.
I'm also assuming that the £399 price you've got is from Creative Audio - as a trade buyer of Onkyo equipment I can tell you that that is a very good price indeed.
If you are planning to plug anything other than HDMI into the 674 like a VCR for instance you'll need that lead between amp and TV as well. So for example if you are connecting a VCR to the amp via Composite you'll need to have a Composite lead going between the amp and the TV as it wont convert an analogue input to the digital monitor output.
I'm somewhat snowed under at the minute so cant check PH all that much but if you have any questions drop me a line on email and I'll get to it when I can.
HTH
(For speakers/dvd etc, something like the KEF Eggs, a Misson MS8 Sub and a Tosh HD-E1 wouldnt be a bad combination. It may stretch your budget by £100-£150 or so but will be a good little system for the money. Alternatively ditch the DVD idea if you're using a media centre you have that capability anyway and spend the £600 just on speakers and a sub - this route is preferable IMHO)
As the 674 only has HDMI switching across two inputs you need to decide whether you'll watch more content in 5.1 from the Media Centre or the Virgin box (I'm taking it as read that the DVD player will occupy HDMI 1). I dont know whether Virgin transmit in 5.1 like Sky HD if they dont go direct from V+ to TV as going via the amp will be a waste of an input. Alternative you could get an external HDMI switcher and use HDMI for all 3 but this will eat a chunk of your DVD/Speakers budget.
If the V+ has Digital Coaxial output (SPDIF) use that in preference to the optical TOSLink as SPDIF is less prone to jitter.
I'm also assuming that the £399 price you've got is from Creative Audio - as a trade buyer of Onkyo equipment I can tell you that that is a very good price indeed.
If you are planning to plug anything other than HDMI into the 674 like a VCR for instance you'll need that lead between amp and TV as well. So for example if you are connecting a VCR to the amp via Composite you'll need to have a Composite lead going between the amp and the TV as it wont convert an analogue input to the digital monitor output.
I'm somewhat snowed under at the minute so cant check PH all that much but if you have any questions drop me a line on email and I'll get to it when I can.
HTH
(For speakers/dvd etc, something like the KEF Eggs, a Misson MS8 Sub and a Tosh HD-E1 wouldnt be a bad combination. It may stretch your budget by £100-£150 or so but will be a good little system for the money. Alternatively ditch the DVD idea if you're using a media centre you have that capability anyway and spend the £600 just on speakers and a sub - this route is preferable IMHO)
Edited by Plotloss on Thursday 19th April 10:58
Plotloss said:
Connection wise, thats right however bear in mind the following.
As the 674 only has HDMI switching across two inputs you need to decide whether you'll watch more content in 5.1 from the Media Centre or the Virgin box (I'm taking it as read that the DVD player will occupy HDMI 1). I dont know whether Virgin transmit in 5.1 like Sky HD if they dont go direct from V+ to TV as going via the amp will be a waste of an input. Alternative you could get an external HDMI switcher and use HDMI for all 3 but this will eat a chunk of your DVD/Speakers budget.
As the 674 only has HDMI switching across two inputs you need to decide whether you'll watch more content in 5.1 from the Media Centre or the Virgin box (I'm taking it as read that the DVD player will occupy HDMI 1). I dont know whether Virgin transmit in 5.1 like Sky HD if they dont go direct from V+ to TV as going via the amp will be a waste of an input. Alternative you could get an external HDMI switcher and use HDMI for all 3 but this will eat a chunk of your DVD/Speakers budget.
Yep the DVD Player will occupy HDMI 1
The Media Centre is a future upgrade so won't be present when I first install everything. As the TV has 2 HDMI inputs it sounds like i'd be better running 2 HDMI cables down from the TV (to future proof everything), then look to plug the V+ box into the TV (instead of the amp) when I get the Media Centre
Plotloss said:
If the V+ has Digital Coaxial output (SPDIF) use that in preference to the optical TOSLink as SPDIF is less prone to jitter.
I've got no idea what SPDIF is i'll check... (Is Coaxial like the cable you get running from an external ariel into a VCR?).
Plotloss said:
I'm also assuming that the £399 price you've got is from Creative Audio - as a trade buyer of Onkyo equipment I can tell you that that is a very good price indeed.
I think so, I saw it advertised on a website somewhere. One place was doing the silver version for £299 but they seem to have stopped. It must be a run out model... How do you rate the 674 or indeed the Onkya range in general?
Plotloss said:
If you are planning to plug anything other than HDMI into the 674 like a VCR for instance you'll need that lead between amp and TV as well. So for example if you are connecting a VCR to the amp via Composite you'll need to have a Composite lead going between the amp and the TV as it wont convert an analogue input to the digital monitor output.
No plans for a VCR (Due to getting the V+). I think i'll run a composite lead down the wall just in case (as a bit of future proofing!
Plotloss said:
I'm somewhat snowed under at the minute so cant check PH all that much but if you have any questions drop me a line on email and I'll get to it when I can.
HTH
Thanks Mate.... Your a true Gent as always
Plotloss said:
(For speakers/dvd etc, something like the KEF Eggs, a Misson MS8 Sub and a Tosh HD-E1 wouldnt be a bad combination. It may stretch your budget by £100-£150 or so but will be a good little system for the money. Alternatively ditch the DVD idea if you're using a media centre you have that capability anyway and spend the £600 just on speakers and a sub - this route is preferable IMHO)
The budget may be slightly elastic as I want to get the best sound I can get for my budget (I also have the small issue of an open stair case in the lounge which will probably affect things!).
As the Media Centre is a future upgrade, i'll still get a dvd player, then in the future I can use this to supply Zone 2 (the kitchen) with music while we watch a film (via the Media Centre) in the lounge.
Many Thanks as always!
Phill
Onkyo kit is good, very popular in the US, just starting to get a foothold in the UK. Its about to be taken on by a huge retailer who are pushing media centre solutions. I'd be amazed if you could find it for £299, that must be a typo. Like I say, £399 is exceptional.
SPDIF is digital coaxial, looks like a normal RCA connector but is usually black, the cable is normal coax, use a bit of CT100 rather than builders brown coax though.
For the composite feed again a length of CT100 is fine, leave it in there unterminated if you have no immediate use for it. The only other thing I would think of putting in is an RCA pair from the TV output of the TV into the amp, should you want to listen to freeview through the amp.
If you bang me over a floorplan showing width, length, height of the room, the size, position and height of the stair case and the finish of the floors/windows (whether its carpeted, has curtains or blinds etc) I can run it through an acoustic modeller which will show ideal speaker placement positions for the best possible sound field. Its possible to get an ideal situation from just about any shape/construction of room but you're into serious money for that. So ideal as far as whats available in budget, if you see what I mean.
SPDIF is digital coaxial, looks like a normal RCA connector but is usually black, the cable is normal coax, use a bit of CT100 rather than builders brown coax though.
For the composite feed again a length of CT100 is fine, leave it in there unterminated if you have no immediate use for it. The only other thing I would think of putting in is an RCA pair from the TV output of the TV into the amp, should you want to listen to freeview through the amp.
If you bang me over a floorplan showing width, length, height of the room, the size, position and height of the stair case and the finish of the floors/windows (whether its carpeted, has curtains or blinds etc) I can run it through an acoustic modeller which will show ideal speaker placement positions for the best possible sound field. Its possible to get an ideal situation from just about any shape/construction of room but you're into serious money for that. So ideal as far as whats available in budget, if you see what I mean.
You shouldn't need to run anything but the HDMI cables to the TV.
If you go for the Onkyo amp you will be able to plug everything into it, and have the video routed to the TV. (www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/2980) Look at the pics here to see the inputs etc.
The amp has composite and S-video inputs so you can add a VCR, or Camcorder etc via this at a later date.
As for the Audio, the amp has 3 optical and 2 coax audio in, so you should have plenty of scope for getting 5.1 surround out of your DVD player, Virgin V+ and media centre PC if you choose to upgrade.
I've just gone for a similar set-up, although my budget of £2k included a new 40" Sony W series TV, so have a Yamaha 7.1 amp (www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/2861) without the HDMI side of things, as most of my kit runs over component, and I can always run HDMI direct to the TV if I do get a PS3 or something.
Also, with your amp you would have the option of a second zone. I'm planning to run this to some floor standing speakers that I use for stereo audio only, while using a discrete set of Jamo 5.1 speakers for home cinema.
If you go for the Onkyo amp you will be able to plug everything into it, and have the video routed to the TV. (www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/2980) Look at the pics here to see the inputs etc.
The amp has composite and S-video inputs so you can add a VCR, or Camcorder etc via this at a later date.
As for the Audio, the amp has 3 optical and 2 coax audio in, so you should have plenty of scope for getting 5.1 surround out of your DVD player, Virgin V+ and media centre PC if you choose to upgrade.
I've just gone for a similar set-up, although my budget of £2k included a new 40" Sony W series TV, so have a Yamaha 7.1 amp (www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/2861) without the HDMI side of things, as most of my kit runs over component, and I can always run HDMI direct to the TV if I do get a PS3 or something.
Also, with your amp you would have the option of a second zone. I'm planning to run this to some floor standing speakers that I use for stereo audio only, while using a discrete set of Jamo 5.1 speakers for home cinema.
I'll need to look into it further but I'm fairly sure that the 674 doesnt convert analogue to digital, it will format convert S-Vid and Composite to Component allowing you to use the Component monitor channel for all analogue signals but I dont think it will digitise analogue over HDMI.
Plotloss said:
Onkyo kit is good, very popular in the US, just starting to get a foothold in the UK. Its about to be taken on by a huge retailer who are pushing media centre solutions. I'd be amazed if you could find it for £299, that must be a typo. Like I say, £399 is exceptional.
See the post by Lowrider on here
Plotloss said:
SPDIF is digital coaxial, looks like a normal RCA connector but is usually black, the cable is normal coax, use a bit of CT100 rather than builders brown coax though.
Ok i'll nip into Maplins and get some of that.
Plotloss said:
For the composite feed again a length of CT100 is fine, leave it in there unterminated if you have no immediate use for it. The only other thing I would think of putting in is an RCA pair from the TV output of the TV into the amp, should you want to listen to freeview through the amp.
Plotloss said:
If you bang me over a floorplan showing width, length, height of the room, the size, position and height of the stair case and the finish of the floors/windows (whether its carpeted, has curtains or blinds etc) I can run it through an acoustic modeller which will show ideal speaker placement positions for the best possible sound field. Its possible to get an ideal situation from just about any shape/construction of room but you're into serious money for that. So ideal as far as whats available in budget, if you see what I mean.
Thanks mate I will do - I'll try and get something over to you tonight. There's no rush as I doubt we're moving for about 2 months. However this is the first job we want to do when we move in (before we decorate the lounge) so I want to get the research done now so i'm ready to go as soon as we move in!
Phill
Plotloss said:
The link through to Superfi is now showing £399, it must have been a typo, one that could have cost them a fortune!
I think it was a special offer for a week (as far as I can tell) to clear some of the silver versions out of stock! The black one stayed at £399.
I very nearly went for it myself but decided to hang fire! Even at £399 it appears to be a bargain.
Am I doing the right thing connection wise?
I've got a tosh 32WL66 TV, A Pioneer 545HX which is DVD/HD and Digital Tuner and a new Yamaha 459 DAB amp.
All I have is HDMI from pioneer to TV and then digital co-ax to amp.
Am I making the most of this set-up if I don't use the amp as a hub?
I've got a tosh 32WL66 TV, A Pioneer 545HX which is DVD/HD and Digital Tuner and a new Yamaha 459 DAB amp.
All I have is HDMI from pioneer to TV and then digital co-ax to amp.
Am I making the most of this set-up if I don't use the amp as a hub?
Plotloss said:
That all seems fine, presumably the Pioneer HD Recorder is fed with an RF signal from the aerial as well?
It is indeed. I need to split it so I can have RF for the DAB as well, hopefully it won't degrade the signal too much.
Can't use the amp yet... waiting for the Jamo 5.1 package to turn up from Der's squad. Bought the lot there so far and very pleased.
Thanks Plotless.
pmanson said:
Matt,
Another (basic) question.....
Can I use 16-gauge or would I be better off using something thicker?
The longest run would be approx 8m to one of the rear surrounds
Another (basic) question.....
Can I use 16-gauge or would I be better off using something thicker?
The longest run would be approx 8m to one of the rear surrounds
May or may not help but if you're not wanting to spend a fortune on cables the Belkin speaker cable available on amazon seems very good value to me.
Creative Audio deal at £840 - Seems like a good price for an Amp and Kef Eggs. The only disadvantage is that the amp would be silver not black and i'd have to go and pick it up!
Add a pair of KEF Elegent stands for £65, then all i'd need is a dvd player...
Maybe the Onkya DVSP404E at £130
or the....Denon DVD1730 at £130 as well.
Giving me a system for £1035 (including the speaker stands)
Damn it! The CC is burning a rather large hole in my pocket!
Add a pair of KEF Elegent stands for £65, then all i'd need is a dvd player...
Maybe the Onkya DVSP404E at £130
or the....Denon DVD1730 at £130 as well.
Giving me a system for £1035 (including the speaker stands)
Damn it! The CC is burning a rather large hole in my pocket!
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