With 5 zones, what audio/video equipment are you using to distribute everything?

Nice setup to start off the new year. For Q1, I've been happy with my Denon receivers. Onkyo has cheaper versions, but haven't heard any complaints from people who own them. Speakers are really a personal choice and depend on many factors such as size, location, price, etc. I would recommend trying them out and having the capability to return them in case you don't like them. Q2) Video streaming apps seem to be popular like Netflix or YouTube. Also Pandora, but there are tons of great apps. Q3) Organization of music and movies, easy-to-use. I honestly haven't found a media server that I'm happy enough with to bother using instead of the normal Windows file menus, but that's me. Q4)The one router will still be handling all web and media traffic so I don't think there is much benefit to having multiple wifi bands in the way you're thinking. It's mostly used for interference issues which is also an issue if you have 2 wireless routers near each other. Are you going to be streaming more than 10Mb/s? Q5)HTPC is great as a center media device where you can store all your movies, music, and files. It also can play blu-rays, games, stream web shows, surf the net, Skype, record shows, etc. The newer smaller media boxes aren't too bad if you don't want some of these features. They are also much easier to setup and use.
Let us know how it goes.

Hello all,

A few years back, I had our basement remodeled after a flood. Custom A/V wiring (4-5 separate zones) was done with the idea of adding an HT setup later on down the line. I have ideas and some pieces in place that will remain with final setup; some will just be moved to other areas of the house that won't be connected to this setup. I'll list what's in place and follow with my questions:

HD Plasma (non-Internet) TV
AT&T UVerse TV/Internet
Linksys WRT610N w/DD-WRT firmware
Linksys WRT54G(just a spare router from way back when)
2 Netgear APs w/DD-WRT firmware
PS3
Bose CineMate 2.1 system(stereo connections)
Zone 1(main sitting area): 7.1, HDMI
Zone 2(bathroom): ceiling speaker wiring
Zone 3(laundry): ceiling speaker wiring
Zone 4(guest bedroom): 2.1 wiring, sep. HDMI for spare TV
Zone 5(2 rear ceiling speakers from Zone 1 that are positioned above; might not be worth having this zone since it's SO close to main zone)
Rack system(pre-built or custom shelving) and Control Center to be sourced in 5ft(H) x 43in(W) space under stairs, door accessible
iPod dock/some form of control panel to be installed in side wall of stair space
***Xbox 360(coming soon)
***Google TV(coming soon)

Q1) I'm not looking for $1000/piece speakers, but want components more flexible and reputable than HTIB setups. Which receiver(Internet capability desired, not required)/speakers would you suggest?

Q2) A number of the devices I have contain Internet apps--which one to use?

Q3) A number of the devices contain media server features--which one(s) to use?

Q4) I want to separate streaming media traffic from basic Internet usage. The WRT610N has the simultaneous dual-band feature for this. I also have the core wifi from the UVerse RG--is there a setup that could leverage all 3 wifi options or should I just use the dual-band options with the Linksys router?

Q5) Thinking about building and HTPC, but I have pieces that perform some of the same features--what benefit, if any, is there to add one to my setup?

That should be enough info to go on for now. Can upload pics if it will help. If some parts have been answered elsewhere, feel free to just post a link to it. Thanks for your assistance with this long overdue project! :-)

The receiver does have to be on, but there are some that can be on "standby" mode and pass through video.

I recently purchased a new receiver with HDMI connections. My sat box has one HDMI out. If I connect this to the receiver must I always have my receiver on to watch TV? How can I still watch Sat tv without using the receiver? Sometime my daughter uses my den to watch Sat TV but has no interest in Home theater sound.

You need HDMI v1.4 on both the TV and receiver in order for audio to "return" to the receiver. Your TV has this feature on HDMI input 1 (see how it says ARC for audio return channel), but I don't think your receiver does. Connect your digital audio out on your TV to an input on the receiver and you should be good to go.

I have a Pioneer VSX921k AVR with a Panasonis TC-55ST30 HDTV. The cable box is connected to AVR HDMI1 and TV is connected from HDMI Out on AVR to HDMI1 ARC on HDTV. Everything works, sounds great but when I use the apps. from TV (netflix, pandora...) the only audio I get is from TV feed of the cable feed. What am I missing ??

Exciting!For the blu-ray player, you can connect HDMI to the new HDTV for video. For audio, make sure you get a blu-ray player with optical out to connect to the receiver. Might have to adjust some setting, but shouldn't be too bad. Enjoy!

Hi,

I just bought my first HDTV (I know!) and am in the market for a Blu-Ray player. The problem is that my receiver, which does support 5.1, doesn’t have an HDMI connector. It does have Optical. So how do I connect my system? Before buying the Blu-Ray do I need to make sure it has any specific connectors?

Thanks,

Jerry

Here is what I would do. Hdmi had the best video quality so I would stick with connecting the cable box to TV with HDMI. Have optical out from the cable box to the receiver for the best sound quality. The cable box sound settings should be set for optical. If there is a noticeable delay in the audio when compared to video (lip syncing issue), then you can try changing the cable box setting to sound over HDMI. Your TV probably has an optical audio output which you then would run to receiver input so you could get surround sound.
For the DVD player, can you run component to the receiver? Also, it would make you're life easier if you got a good remote like a Logetech remote. Otherwise, you will have to be changing TV inputs and receiver inputs all the time. For cables, take a look at monoprice.com. They have good quality cables at cheap prices.
Hope this helps.

The plot thickens... I do not have HDMI connections on my receiver (older unit purchased back in 2003). So should I do the following???

Cable Wire in to HD Cable Box

Eliminate the HD Cable Box to TV HDMI Cable connection

Connect HD Cable Box to Receiver using RCA Video and Audio Component Connections

Receiver to TV via Optical Connection and RCA Video Component Connections

Combo DVD-VCR connected to TV with Video Component Connections and Coax to Receiver

If the above is correct should I spend a lot of money on the Component Wires? The price seems to vary quite a bit. Based on what I have read the Onkyo receiver is not the top of the line so is spending more money on better cable worth the investment?

As you can tell I am not the least bit savvy about this kind of thing and your help is GREATLY appreciated.

No problem, optical carries sound so I don't think you need it connected to the TV then. Make sure your cable box sound output settings is set to HDMI and you should get surround sound to your Onkyo receiver through HDMI.

No I am not using the TV speakers. Also I have the receiver connect to the TV with an Optical Cable. Is it okay?

Thank you for taking the time to help me. I really appreciate it.

Surround sound is carried on the HDMI cable which should go to the receiver. Then another HDMI out goes to the TV from the receiver. Are you using your TV speakers for sound too?

I have an ONKYO surround sound home theater. I will try to take HDMI to the receiver (not sure it is long enough). The cable guy connected it to the TV. He did not seem to know anything about or care about the home theater hook-up.