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General discussion

HTIB Help

by akola1 Jul 19, 2009 1:19PM PDT

Hi. I am looking into buying a HTIB system but had some questions first. I need to hook up a cable box, xbox 360, and a HDTV to the HTIB but I want to make sure I will be able to get high quality audio through my HTIB for each of these. I am trying to figure out how I would connect all these elements.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Depends
by Pepe7 Jul 19, 2009 2:20PM PDT

It depends on which particular HTIB you are referring to Wink. They all have somewhat different inputs/features/etc. Hypothetically though, it's a combination of HDMI, digital optical/digital coaxial cables/connections for both video & audio depending on which components are involved. If you list the exact make/models (cable box/HDTV too), I can suggest a 'recipe' to connect the whole shebang Wink.

best,
Pedro

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Thanks!
by akola1 Jul 19, 2009 2:28PM PDT

I am looking at either:
1. Panasonic - 1000W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System with DVD Player (SC-PT670)
OR
2.Sony - BRAVIA 1000W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System w/ 5-Disc Upconvert DVD Player (DAV-HDX285)

I don't think that I will be able to get 5.1 sound out of each input (xbox, cable box) because I don't think you can pass audio through a HDTV, or can you? I havn't quite decided on a HDTV yet. Looking in the 37" range,720p, with 2+ HDMI inputs.

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Try this
by Pepe7 Jul 20, 2009 5:13AM PDT

Of those two I'd go with the Sony since it has both digital optical & digital coaxial audio inputs- one for your cable box and one for the Xbox. Yes, you can obtain 5.1 out from each input, hypothetically since I don't know which cable box you have. Anyway, this is how you could connect it provided I got the ouput on your particular cable box correct:

Cable box (digital coaxial out) -> (digital coaxial in)Sony DAV-HDX285
Cable box (HDMI out) --> (HDMI in) [your future HDTV]

Xbox (HDMI out) -> (HDMI in) [future HDTV]
Xbox (digital optical out) -> (digital optical in) SONY DAV-HDX285

SONY DAV-HDX285 (HDMI out) -> (HDMI in) [future HDTV]

Let me know if that makes sense.

If possible, you might even consider spending a little more since a separate receiver tends to give more options. I was thinking something like the following Onkyo HTIB system-

http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-S5200&modelid=88&group_id=1&detail=2

The HT S5200 refurb is $379.

-Pedro

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