View Full Version : Finishing off my Home Theatre setup
My projector has arrived :clap::clap::clap:
I went for the benq w500 (http://benq.com/products/Projector/?product=1055&page=specifications) in the end as it was a good deal and looked like a cracking projecter from the spec. Well it is:thumbs: I had it on for the first time last night and the picture was amazing. I dont have anything to compare it to as this is the first projector i've owned but i'm impressed.
Inputs for projector are.
Analog RGB : D-sub x1
Digital: HDMI (with HDCP)x 1
Composite Video: RCA x 1
S-Video: Mini DIN 4 pin x 1
Component Video 1: RCA x 3
Component Video 2: RCA x 3 (shared)
Next thing is to buy my AV receiver/amp, speaker and all the cables I need. Thats where you guys come in.
I will be connecting the following to the projector:-
Xbox 360
Xbox
Divx player
and possibly a sky box if I decide to get multi room
Looking at the Yamaha RXV361 (http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=YAMA-RXV361) from Richer Sounds with the NSP 110 speakers (http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=YAMA-NSP110) as these are within my budget.
As i'm a complete novice I cannot for the life of me work out what all the specified input/output for the receiver mean!!! The is also a picture of the rear of the unit here (http://www.superfi.co.uk/popup.cfm?product_name=YAMAHA%20AV61%20PACKAGE%20%28RXV361%20HOME%20CINEMA%20RECEIVER%20AND%20NSP110%205%2E1%20SPEAKER%20SYSTEM%29&image_name=rxv361-rear-uk.jpg)
Am I going to be able to connect all that equipment to the projector and the surround sound without having to change and swap wires when using a different device?
Also will I need to buy any other cables to connect these up?
Hope this makes sense:cuckoo: and there are quite a few questions there.
Cheers :help:
poissony
16-11-2007, 17:17
Hmmm, need more info.
I presume you are just using your xbox as a games machine and not using XBMC if you have a Divx player? What type of outputs do you currently use on your xbox, 360 and divx player?
How far away is the projector from all of your kit?
Vision wise you could probably connect 360, xbox and divx player to the component intputs on the amp and then run one component cable from the amp to the projector. Then simply switch between inouts on the amp.
Could then run a scart cable from sky digibox to projector (if it accepts it).
Xbox will be for media centre aswell as divx player.
All the kit will be pretty much in the same place. Well thats the plan anyway.
Projector doesn't have scart input.
EDIT: Direct Link (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006FRKU/thedvdforums-21)
pjclark1
16-11-2007, 17:55
My projector has arrived :clap::clap::clap:
I went for the benq w500 (http://benq.com/products/Projector/?product=1055&page=specifications) in the end as it was a good deal and looked like a cracking projecter from the spec.
Did you see these are selling for $825 (£410) delivered new in the USA from Amazon.com?
Ebuyer.com have a nice collection of cables at reasonable prices. I just had a 5m HDMI cable delivered for my projector for £7
Projector doesn't have scart input.
Sometimes the component inputs + composite can take RGB+ Cs
Now you need a Blu-Ray player and HD-DVD player to get the best out of it.
These look pretty good on a 100"+ screen (I just project onto a magnolia wall)
Did you see these are selling for $825 (£410) delivered new in the USA from Amazon.com?
I had noticed they were cheaper but after import duty + fees didn't think there would be much in it so decided to get it from ebuyer. Sold the free xbox 360 that came with it so worked out at £540 for the projector which I didn't think was too bad.
I'll take a look at ebuyer for the cables cheers
I'm going to stop looking as i'm tying myself in knots!!
I've now seen this one from Pixmania - Sony-DDW890 (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=782&id=30372&p=http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/541205/art/sony/ht-ddw890-home-cinema-sys.html).
It seems the Sony have better inputs or is at least a little more future proof
Inputs Digital Media port
2 HDMI ins
2 audio ins
4 audio/video ins
2 digital optical audio ins
1 digital coaxial audio in
3 component video ins
Outputs 1 HDMI out
1 audio out
1 audio/video out
1 component video out
The Sony package is a complete bargain, especially with the recent price cut. Bear in mind that the amp doesn't do any kind of conversion, so you'll need to run one of each connection type to the projector i.e. hdmi, component and composite. Naturally, it's best to avoid using composite connections if you can. There are component cables available for use with the original xbox, for example. You mentioned divx capability separate from the xbox - does that mean you have a standalone player as well? If so, what output connection types are available on it?
The other thing I thought I'd point out about the Sony package, is that the speakers are a bit bigger than those on the Yamaha one. So you need to consider how you intend to mount them. They do hang easily directly onto the wall by using a single screw/speaker which aren't supplied. Otherwise, you might benefit from stand mounting some of them (for example, one or more of the three rears). You can get suitable stands from Argos (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-582776-5472106).
Robert
I think i'll do away with the seperate divx player and just use the xbox.
So for the yamaha I can connect everything to the receiver and then one out to the projector but if I go with the Sony that whatever I input to the amp I have to output to the projector?
Not decided how to mount the speakers yet until I move in.
A mod over at the AVforums reckons the Sony is a better allround unit.
Sorry if i'm asking the same questions but want to make sure I don't buy the wrong unit.
Inputs will be
Xbox 360 - Component
Xbox - Component
Sky - dont know what connections that has but may end up using a video sender as my sky box will probably be downstairs so we shall say composite or possibly getting a scart to component cable
So thats going to be 3 component inputs which both receivers have. As the Sony also has the option of HDMI input for future proofing that looks like the one to go for.
Why can't this be easy?
You'll have the same basic connections between amp and projector with either package; component lead and possibly composite (if you're connecting composite sources to the amp). As you have no hdmi sources currently, you won't need to connect up a hdmi cable between the amp and projector (on the Sony).
A standard Sky box ideally uses RGB scart as giving the best connection. Alternatively, you can use composite (which won't look as good especially blown up on a larger screen). Sound is carried by twin phono connectors (to the amp) somewhat limiting surround sound options. You could if you wish, bypass the amp for video altogether and use an RGB Scart to VGA cable. Ideally, a Sky+ box would be better as it has component output directly and then optical digital for surround sound - there won't be enough optical inputs on the amp though (- one would be used by the xbox and the other one by the xbox 360 assuming appropriate cables); the way around that is either an optical switcher or convert the coax digital input on the amp to an optical one (via an 'adapter') - both options are pretty inexpensive.
By future proofing, it depends exactly what you mean. You get hdmi switching for two sources on the Sony whereas to do this with the Yamaha you'd need a separate switch box. One downside with the Sony is if you wanted to add devices which output one of the hi definition formats (like DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD). Hdmi carries both video and sound, but you have a problem in that the hdmi connector on the projector only carries video. In that regard, the Yamaha has one advantage in that it has multi-channel 5.1 input connections - the latter can be used with players like Toshiba's EP35 (HD DVD) or Samung's BD-P1000 (Blu Ray) models. This may be an academic point anyway, but I thought I'd mention it purely for completeness (- would these budget speakers even show up the difference anyway). The other difference of course, is that the 890 provides a 6.1. surround sound configuration over the 5.1 on Yamaha AV61 package (hence the extra speaker).
Robert
Cheers Robert!
As much as I really like the Sony i'm going to go for the Yamaha.
I can't really choose between them so am going for the Yamaha as I can actually go into a local shop and buy it(richer sounds). I can also get their added warranty for more piece of mind and the Yamaha will still do everything I need it for.
pjclark1
18-11-2007, 13:12
Future proofing
Don't bother, in the future you will want different kit.
Extended warrenty
Don't bother, next year you can buy the same kit for the price you were going to pay for the warrenty
Future proofing
Don't bother, in the future you will want different kit.
Extended warrenty
Don't bother, next year you can buy the same kit for the price you were going to pay for the warrenty
extended 5 year warranty is only £25 and if I dont use it I get the money back so seems stupid not to take it.
Cheers Robert!
As much as I really like the Sony i'm going to go for the Yamaha.
I can't really choose between them so am going for the Yamaha as I can actually go into a local shop and buy it(richer sounds). I can also get their added warranty for more piece of mind and the Yamaha will still do everything I need it for.The Yamaha is good value for money for a budget system, so you should be happy with it - try to get a demo though if possible as tastes vary. If I had to be a tiny bit critical, then I'd say the speakers sound a bit flat compared to the more punchy sounding Sony's. However, the speakers sound way better than they should given their cost. I do like the Tannoy EFX5.1's as well though (~ £200 from some places) - they're a noticable improvement.
Robert
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