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! :-)

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.

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 ??

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

Did I do this correctly???

Cable Wire connected to HD Cable Box

HD Cable Box to TV using HDMI Cable

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

Home Theater to TV via Optical Connection

Seems like I am not getting Surround Sound like I did with old DLP TV???

You can email directly: ctwindber@yahoo.com

I was taking a look at the new home theater connection diagram and had a question on the receiver. The main question is do I need one? I'm using my TV for speakers now which don't sound that great. I'm considering buying a home theater on a box, but don't know if I still should get a new receiver too? Thanks for the help.

Hi,

I am building a new house and looking to build hometheatre network in it.
All hardware is in a dedicated hidden room, only screens and speakers remain unhidden. I already prepared wires in the walls for everything.

Please comment on my thoughts below, will it work? Can I do it in a cheaper way with less hardware?

Requirements:
- Full control on all Video/Audio Via iPad
- 4 video and 7 Audio zones. All can be independent and option to full sync
- Watch/listen to full HDMI quality content from my hard disks/internet web sites/DTT (free TV)
Here is what I thought of:

Area I (Main living room screen+5.1, zone 2 – 2 outdoor speakers):
- Macmini + Hybrid ITV (Mac OS, wired network input, HD out to screen, optical Audio out to receiver)
- Receiver with 2 zones, first is 5.1 second is for 2 outdoor speakers. (Optical Audio input from computer, outputs to speaker, optical Audio output to other receivers)
- Speakers (5xProfocient IW525 + Sub + 2 outdoor)
- Screen
- Control (all through iPad):
o PLEX to control all content from my hard drives and internet
o Dedicated ITV software to control DTT (free TV) content
o Audio/Video controller (Probably Crestron) to control receiver and screen (On/Off, volume, choosing inputs etc.)

Area II (Family room screen+5.1, zone 2 – 2 speakers in children room):
Similar to Area I but:
- Optical Audio input to receiver coming from receiver of Area I
- Same Audio/Video controller of area I (since it has 4 IR outputs so I can use it for both areas)
- Children speakers are also Proficient IW525

Area III (Parent room screen+2 speakers, zone 2 – 2 speakers in parents balcony):
Similar to Area II but:
- Will need a new Audio/Video controller
- Room speakers are proficient IW525
- 2 Outdoor speakers

Area IV (Kitchen+2 speakers):
Similar to area III but:
- Same Audio/Video controller of area III (since it has 4 IR outputs so I can use it for both areas)
- Can use receiver with only 1 zone and only stereo

Cost (not including network hardware and screens):
MACMINI - 4X700$
EYETV HYBRID - 100$
EYETV DTT - 3X60$
IPad - 2X500$
Receiver 2 zones – 3X800$
Receiver 1 zone – 600$
Proficient IW525 – 16*120$
Outdoor speaker – 4X300$
Sub speakers – 2X300$
Crestron controller – 2X600$
NAS package for 4 hard drives – 600$
Hard drives – 4X150$
PLEX software for iPad – 5$ 
--------Total - ~13200$----------------

Thanks,
Uri Sherman

Hello,

New member here...Hello all! I am upgrading my living room system and purchased a Samsung LED 3DTV and wireless linkstick to connect to my internet connection. I also purchased a new Onkyo receiver and Samsung Bluray player which can also connect to he internet via the router. The BluRay player has the same apps as the TV and the receivers apps seem very similar to the TV as well. What are the pros and cons to connect or not connect them all besides running more CAT5 cable?

Thanks!
Chris

I would really appreciate your help. I’m building my first HTN and am assembling some legacy systems. It’s a cool setup but, I can’t get my audio straight.

Here’s my components:

TV: Pioneer Plasma Display 503-PU. This display has two speaker outputs on it which can be used for the two attached speakers (which I can certainly use)

TV Tuner: Pioneer PDP-R03U

Cable box: Scientific Atlantic Explorer 8300

Subwoofer: Sony SA-W305G

Attached are photos of the two tuners (Pioneer TV tuner on top/SA cable on bottom) and of the subwoofer.

I would really appreciate your direction on how I should connect the sub-woofer and the rear speakers.

I put my photos on this page: http://www.yourhtn.com/htn/bizwizkid/

Thanks very much!

I have everything hooked up to vsx 520-k pioneer. the vcr is not working. what is the best way to hook up to tv through receiver

i have a samsung hd tv model le40b750 1080p lcd ,a samsung hd dvd recorder model sh871m,a sky+hd set top box and a samsung home cinema system model ht-z320r 5.1 hd and i have no idea how to connect them together i need a idiots guide can you help

My question: what are the different wiring / connection options so I do not have to have the receiver on to hear the audio. Sometimes I want the audio to come through the TV (news, weather). But when I watch movies on satellite or blue ray, I want the sound system on.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I was wanting some info on how to put the speak wire inside the walls without hacking my sheetrock up.

Okay I had to get a new tv recently as our old one stopped working.Replaced with a very similar 7 year old sony 32" crt.
The problem was the wifee dismantled everything and I had to try and wire back together.
We have -
AFOREMENTIONED SONY TV(THREE SCARTS)
SKY PLUS(2 SCART SOCKETS)
PHILLIPS SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM WITH INBUILT DVD PLAYER(1 SCART)
PHILLIPS DVD RECORDER(2 SCARTS)
Everything working fine EXCEPT the surround sound is now distorting when watching Sky.To my ears its fine when playing dvds directly from the surround sound inbuilt dvd player indicating the speakers are still fine so I am guessing it is to do with the way its wired up. Can anyone tell me how to wire this system so that surround sound is functioning clearly with all items please!!
Really,really appreciate any help guys

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