Advice Needed

antfish77 · 07-06-2008, 07:40

Hi Guys, I am looking for a bit of advice. My current home AV setup consists: Plasma TV, Sky+, Wii, PS3, DVD Recorder and Sony surround sound AMP (nothing special but fine for the front room).

So, my problem is that at the moment I have the plasma mounted on the wall, which is what I want. However, all the other equipment is underneath the TV on a stand. I really want to have the AV equipment in the corner of the room. I want to run minimal cables from the equipment to the TV. Is there any kind of soloution which I could implement in the AV rack which all the other equipment would plug into and then I would just have to run 1 or 2 cables from that to the TV.

There are 2 HDMI sockets available on the TV as well as all the usual ones.

Would I be right in thinking I will probably need to get new AV Reciever? If so, can anybody point me in the right direction of what I am looking for. Inputs for scart and HDMI would be essential hopefully chucking everything out through an HDMI socket for the TV. Also, needs to be as low cost as possible.

Does such a thing exist or am I living in cloud Cukoo land?

I look forward to some expert advice.

Cheers

Ant

07-06-2008, 09:57

Basically what you will need is an AV receiver that has video switching and video conversion.

This way you would be able to have one cable (HDMI) going to the TV, all other cables would be feed in to the receiver, then depending on the source you are watching the receiver would switch to that input and convert the signal if needed.

They don't come cheap, you would be looking at £500+

One that comes to mind is the Onkyo TX-SR705, it features HDMI and component video switching/up conversion, perfect for what you want, there are also a host of other useful features too.

A more detailed look at what it offers here if you are interested.

http://www.av-sales.co.uk/AV-Amps-an...SR705-367-.htm

antfish77 · 07-06-2008, 12:07

Blimey, that is the dogs danglies! £600 is a bit steep for me at the moment though. If I was having a dedicated room it would be the nkind of thing I would want, but it will never be used to its potential in my lounge!

Its really nice though init!!! Awww!

Any other ways to achieve my desired result then chaps or cheaper AV Recievers that are capable of doing the job??

07-06-2008, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by antfish77

Blimey, that is the dogs danglies! £600 is a bit steep for me at the moment though. If I was having a dedicated room it would be the nkind of thing I would want, but it will never be used to its potential in my lounge!

Its really nice though init!!! Awww!

Any other ways to achieve my desired result then chaps or cheaper AV Recievers that are capable of doing the job??

Not bad is it, best price I can find is £474-95.

http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/showp...020&wysiwyg=10

Might be worth hanging on for a while, Onkyo have just released the updated version of the 605 with the 606, pretty sure they will update the 705 shortly, if this is the case prices will drop for the 705 as they'll no longer be current models, prices could fall to around £400 or less.

You could also look at ex demo/second hand equipment, but to be honest I don't think you will find anything that's current/brand new much cheaper, HDMI switching + video conversion doesn't come all that cheap.

RobAnt · 07-06-2008, 12:28

Other AV receivers are available, of course, but the cheaper ones often require you to run one cable per signal type. IE one for RGB, one for Component, one for S-Video, one for HDMI. So you're still left with multiple connections - it's just that they all come from one place.

But because they're all from one place to another (Receiver to TV), you can easily tidy them up with cable ties.

Few (I don't know any) AV Receivers have SCART sockets, so RGB, S-Video and composite connections have to be separated out too, by use of a SCART to protocol type conversion cable (ie SCART to RGB).

antfish77 · 07-06-2008, 18:29

Guys, Thanks for the replies so far, they have been really helpful and informative. Any further ideas or comments gratefully recieved.

antfish77 · 18-10-2008, 22:12

Reviving an old thread here peeps..

Does the Onkyo TX-SR606 offer the Video Switching and conversion that I require?

I have been looking at the specs for this unit but can't quite sure about it.

dwhite · 18-10-2008, 22:56

Yes it does, from spec sheet:

Quote:

HDMI Video Upscaling (to 1080i) from Component-Video, S-Video and Composite Video Inputs.

Note: this means it also can upscale at the same time as upconvert. Upscale changes the resolution, upconvert changes the signal type.

Video switching is a given for AV receivers with multiple video inputs.

antfish77 · 19-10-2008, 11:23

It could be the very thing I am after then. Does anybody know of any cheaper alternatives. As I said before it is more a case of tidying up rather that trying to make a spectacular system.

niall campbell · 19-10-2008, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by antfish77

It could be the very thing I am after then. Does anybody know of any cheaper alternatives. As I said before it is more a case of tidying up rather that trying to make a spectacular system.

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...Y-STRDG820-BLK

the new Sony is a cracker and cheaper

and you can simply use the speakers you already have

HDMI 1.3 is the key and the denon 1909 may be worth a look as well

other 2 options

http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=388

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5935286.html

antfish77 · 19-10-2008, 15:09

Cool, will have a look at those now. Will keep you informed.

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 09:46

I love the look of the Sony. Within the right pricerange too!!!

At the age of 31, is it OK to ask for money for my birthday or do I have to have socks and hankies??

Nigel Goodwin · 20-10-2008, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by antfish77

At the age of 31, is it OK to ask for money for my birthday or do I have to have socks and hankies??

You mean you get socks AND hankies, not just one or the other?

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 10:36

I know, I am sooo lucky!

I might have cold feet this winter but a tidy front room! I think the missus will buy that!

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 13:38

OH NO!

There is a downside.... The Sony does not convert analogue signals and chuck them out through the HDMI port

That makes things awkward for the Wii and Sky+ (although Sky+ Is inevitable I guess also my DVD recorder does not have component.

I really dont want to be running extra cables. Not too worried about DVD recorder or Sky+ because they will be upgraded at some point but the Wii is a fairly new edition with some years of use in it yet.

Is there any solution??

niall campbell · 20-10-2008, 16:52

but these amps have plenty connections so the Wii should via component go to the amp, ans sky will need to be optical to the amp

niall campbell · 20-10-2008, 17:18

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5875886.html

try this at around £240 mark, and 1.3 HDMI

or Onkyos 605 with 1 less HDMI input but £300 with the 606 at £400

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 17:19

Optical is audio isn't it?

Component for the Wii is a plan!

niall campbell · 20-10-2008, 17:25

yes with my crt telly the RGB certainly helps with the Wii

sky HD even has optical as problems getting the sound out via HDMI, at the moment anyway

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/ir_img/17548855_4b16b9ea0b.jpg

you could zoom even more on the 576 amp using windows internet options

and the Wii updates have helped with LCD/ plasma tellys with new settings......... well worth the extra cable

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 17:50

That pretty much settles it then. Wii to component cable and SKY HD!

Put the DVD recorder somewhere else - Never use it anyway!

niall campbell · 20-10-2008, 18:14

there is a slot for DVD as well via phono and optical

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 18:25

don't have optical on the dvd player. I am not too worried about that though. PS3 plays dvd's.

niall campbell · 20-10-2008, 18:39

does it have component out?

mind you dvd recorders/players have all now got HDMI, so thats why you need as many HDMI connections as well

do you fancy the 576 then?

antfish77 · 20-10-2008, 18:58

Sony for me. Thats more my price bracket!

niall campbell · 20-10-2008, 19:16

same price and puts everything through HDMI

07-06-2008, 07:40	#1
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Advice Needed Hi Guys, I am looking for a bit of advice. My current home AV setup consists: Plasma TV, Sky+, Wii, PS3, DVD Recorder and Sony surround sound AMP (nothing special but fine for the front room). So, my problem is that at the moment I have the plasma mounted on the wall, which is what I want. However, all the other equipment is underneath the TV on a stand. I really want to have the AV equipment in the corner of the room. I want to run minimal cables from the equipment to the TV. Is there any kind of soloution which I could implement in the AV rack which all the other equipment would plug into and then I would just have to run 1 or 2 cables from that to the TV. There are 2 HDMI sockets available on the TV as well as all the usual ones. Would I be right in thinking I will probably need to get new AV Reciever? If so, can anybody point me in the right direction of what I am looking for. Inputs for scart and HDMI would be essential hopefully chucking everything out through an HDMI socket for the TV. Also, needs to be as low cost as possible. Does such a thing exist or am I living in cloud Cukoo land? I look forward to some expert advice. Cheers Ant

07-06-2008, 09:57	#2
TommyW Posts: n/a	Basically what you will need is an AV receiver that has video switching and video conversion. This way you would be able to have one cable (HDMI) going to the TV, all other cables would be feed in to the receiver, then depending on the source you are watching the receiver would switch to that input and convert the signal if needed. They don't come cheap, you would be looking at £500+ One that comes to mind is the Onkyo TX-SR705, it features HDMI and component video switching/up conversion, perfect for what you want, there are also a host of other useful features too. A more detailed look at what it offers here if you are interested. http://www.av-sales.co.uk/AV-Amps-an...SR705-367-.htm

07-06-2008, 12:07	#3
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Blimey, that is the dogs danglies! £600 is a bit steep for me at the moment though. If I was having a dedicated room it would be the nkind of thing I would want, but it will never be used to its potential in my lounge! Its really nice though init!!! Awww! Any other ways to achieve my desired result then chaps or cheaper AV Recievers that are capable of doing the job??

07-06-2008, 12:25	#4
TommyW Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by antfish77 Blimey, that is the dogs danglies! £600 is a bit steep for me at the moment though. If I was having a dedicated room it would be the nkind of thing I would want, but it will never be used to its potential in my lounge! Its really nice though init!!! Awww! Any other ways to achieve my desired result then chaps or cheaper AV Recievers that are capable of doing the job?? Not bad is it, best price I can find is £474-95. http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/showp...020&wysiwyg=10 Might be worth hanging on for a while, Onkyo have just released the updated version of the 605 with the 606, pretty sure they will update the 705 shortly, if this is the case prices will drop for the 705 as they'll no longer be current models, prices could fall to around £400 or less. You could also look at ex demo/second hand equipment, but to be honest I don't think you will find anything that's current/brand new much cheaper, HDMI switching + video conversion doesn't come all that cheap.

07-06-2008, 12:28	#5
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Other AV receivers are available, of course, but the cheaper ones often require you to run one cable per signal type. IE one for RGB, one for Component, one for S-Video, one for HDMI. So you're still left with multiple connections - it's just that they all come from one place. But because they're all from one place to another (Receiver to TV), you can easily tidy them up with cable ties. Few (I don't know any) AV Receivers have SCART sockets, so RGB, S-Video and composite connections have to be separated out too, by use of a SCART to protocol type conversion cable (ie SCART to RGB).

07-06-2008, 18:29	#6
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Guys, Thanks for the replies so far, they have been really helpful and informative. Any further ideas or comments gratefully recieved.

18-10-2008, 22:12	#7
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Reviving an old thread here peeps.. Does the Onkyo TX-SR606 offer the Video Switching and conversion that I require? I have been looking at the specs for this unit but can't quite sure about it.

18-10-2008, 22:56	#8
dwhite Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Bigrigg Posts: 260	Yes it does, from spec sheet: Quote: HDMI Video Upscaling (to 1080i) from Component-Video, S-Video and Composite Video Inputs. Note: this means it also can upscale at the same time as upconvert. Upscale changes the resolution, upconvert changes the signal type. Video switching is a given for AV receivers with multiple video inputs.

19-10-2008, 11:23	#9
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	It could be the very thing I am after then. Does anybody know of any cheaper alternatives. As I said before it is more a case of tidying up rather that trying to make a spectacular system.

19-10-2008, 11:47	#10
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	Quote: Originally Posted by antfish77 It could be the very thing I am after then. Does anybody know of any cheaper alternatives. As I said before it is more a case of tidying up rather that trying to make a spectacular system. http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...Y-STRDG820-BLK the new Sony is a cracker and cheaper and you can simply use the speakers you already have HDMI 1.3 is the key and the denon 1909 may be worth a look as well other 2 options http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=388 http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5935286.html

19-10-2008, 15:09	#11
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Cool, will have a look at those now. Will keep you informed.

20-10-2008, 09:46	#12
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	I love the look of the Sony. Within the right pricerange too!!! At the age of 31, is it OK to ask for money for my birthday or do I have to have socks and hankies??

20-10-2008, 10:06	#13
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by antfish77 At the age of 31, is it OK to ask for money for my birthday or do I have to have socks and hankies?? You mean you get socks AND hankies, not just one or the other?

20-10-2008, 10:36	#14
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	I know, I am sooo lucky! I might have cold feet this winter but a tidy front room! I think the missus will buy that!

20-10-2008, 13:38	#15
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	OH NO! There is a downside.... The Sony does not convert analogue signals and chuck them out through the HDMI port That makes things awkward for the Wii and Sky+ (although Sky+ Is inevitable I guess also my DVD recorder does not have component. I really dont want to be running extra cables. Not too worried about DVD recorder or Sky+ because they will be upgraded at some point but the Wii is a fairly new edition with some years of use in it yet. Is there any solution??

20-10-2008, 16:52	#16
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	but these amps have plenty connections so the Wii should via component go to the amp, ans sky will need to be optical to the amp

20-10-2008, 17:18	#17
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5875886.html try this at around £240 mark, and 1.3 HDMI or Onkyos 605 with 1 less HDMI input but £300 with the 606 at £400

20-10-2008, 17:19	#18
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Optical is audio isn't it? Component for the Wii is a plan!

20-10-2008, 17:25	#19
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	yes with my crt telly the RGB certainly helps with the Wii sky HD even has optical as problems getting the sound out via HDMI, at the moment anyway http://www.eu.onkyo.com/ir_img/17548855_4b16b9ea0b.jpg you could zoom even more on the 576 amp using windows internet options and the Wii updates have helped with LCD/ plasma tellys with new settings......... well worth the extra cable

20-10-2008, 17:50	#20
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	That pretty much settles it then. Wii to component cable and SKY HD! Put the DVD recorder somewhere else - Never use it anyway!

20-10-2008, 18:14	#21
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	there is a slot for DVD as well via phono and optical

DS Forums

Advice Needed

20-10-2008, 18:25	#22
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	don't have optical on the dvd player. I am not too worried about that though. PS3 plays dvd's.

20-10-2008, 18:39	#23
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	does it have component out? mind you dvd recorders/players have all now got HDMI, so thats why you need as many HDMI connections as well do you fancy the 576 then?

20-10-2008, 18:58	#24
antfish77 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 102	Sony for me. Thats more my price bracket!

20-10-2008, 19:16	#25
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	same price and puts everything through HDMI