[marvinwright1]

Hi,

After a long time waiting my extension/home cimema room should commence in the next few weeks, I've tried to plan as much as I can but cabling/connections between my components still confuses me.

My sources will be a PS3, DVD (HDMI/COMPONENT), SKYHD, Laptop computer (vga out) and a Squeeze Box 3

Display will be a HD plasma and HD projector.

For the moment I plan to use this in a stereo amp setup, in the future I plan to upgrade to a receiver which can sit along side the stereo amp ( stereo amp driving the front speakers )

Dont think I need the laptop computer to display on the projector, the plasma only will be fine, and for sound the headphone jack / line out will surffice.

I would like to display the PS3/DVD/SKYHD on both plasma and projector.

The Squeeze box is the easy one, that can go direct to the amp.

How would you recommened that I connect this lot up, this is what I am thinking of

For video I was thinking of one of these
http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI%20swit...2_toslink.html
This takes care of the outputting to 2 displays and will take of the PS3/DVD/SKYHD as inputs, then I can have a single vga cable to the plasma for the laptop.

For audio, taking into account currently I'll just have a stereo amp, I could run analogue inputs from all sources PS3/DVD/SKYHD/SB3 to the amp.

Does this sound ok ? Should I consider any alternative methods ?
And have I missed anything ? Let me know if I can provide any more information.

Thanks in advance

Marvin

PS. I haven't mentioned models yet for DVD/Plasma/Projector as I have not yet chosen them, but assume they'll have HDMI/Component and optical digital sound outputs.

[MarkP80]

Hi,

Have you considered an AV amp. The right amp will allow you to input all your video sources to it, then a single HDMI output to your displays. This would be a lot simpler than the way you propose. OK, more expenditure up front on the amp, but a lot fewer cables. Worth some thought?

MarkP

[colmmcc]

Hi,

I have somethig simular at home, I used a Scard switch box, (was on Maplin for 10 quid, looked by can't find online)
It can take 3 scarts to 1 output (really outputs to 2 the 1st scart input is also a record scart ie video so I can send to 2 tvs no problems)
I also use scart switcher for upto 480i but for HD, 360 is plugged into a VGA adaptor, then goes into a VGA switch box, so computer also goes in there, so can switch projector to VGA for HD, or normal for scart inputs.
Also have Capture card connected from another system via S-video.

If I see that on maplin will post, but sure there in store, has 4 scart slots and 2 buttons on front left, 3 front right.

Also using Optical sond card from computer and Xbox, real good.

C

[colmmcc]

unit I use

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...33166&doy=29m2

[marvinwright1]

Originally Posted by MarkP80

Have you considered an AV amp. The right amp will allow you to input all your video sources to it, then a single HDMI output to your displays. This would be a lot simpler than the way you propose. OK, more expenditure up front on the amp, but a lot fewer cables. Worth some thought?
MarkP

As long as I can still have the stereo amp driving my fronts then I could consider getting the av amp at the start, I was really planning to add this much later but like you say it would simplify things and probably save me the headache

Originally Posted by colmmcc

I have somethig simular at home, I used a Scard switch box, (was on Maplin for 10 quid, looked by can't find online)
It can take 3 scarts to 1 output (really outputs to 2 the 1st scart input is also a record scart ie video so I can send to 2 tvs no problems)
I also use scart switcher for upto 480i but for HD, 360 is plugged into a VGA adaptor, then goes into a VGA switch box, so computer also goes in there, so can switch projector to VGA for HD, or normal for scart inputs.
Also have Capture card connected from another system via S-video.

If I see that on maplin will post, but sure there in store, has 4 scart slots and 2 buttons on front left, 3 front right.

Also using Optical sond card from computer and Xbox, real good.

Yeah this is kind of the idea, however I dont really want to run scart's unless I really need too, I'm hoping that most of the stuff I watch here will be in HD ( eventually ), so I really need it to be HDMI or component.

cheers

Marvin

[marvinwright1]

Hi,

MarkP80, I've been considering your advice and I think that getting the AV reciever upfront will be the best option, a bit more outlay to begin with but will save on an odd setup.

I still have to take care of outputting HDMI from the AV amp so that I can send the signal to both screen and projector, I'll deal with this later though.

What are you opinions on cabling to each display unit, I'm thinking of wiring HDMI and VGA to the screen, and HDMI and maybe component to the projector although I'm really not sure if I'd use/need the component.

Any thoughts.

Thanks,

Marvin

[MarkP80]

Hi Marvin,

What are you opinions on cabling to each display unit, I'm thinking of wiring HDMI and VGA to the screen, and HDMI and maybe component to the projector although I'm really not sure if I'd use/need the component.

- It depends to a certain extent on how easily you would be able to add cables later if you needed to - If they are inaccessible, then make sure you get in at the start anything you are likely to need. Having said that, if you are routing through a modern av amp, that minimises your risk. OK, certainly HDMI to each display. VGA is cheap so you could send that to both too. Component? Well, I have component to my projector, but that's because it doesn't at present have a HDMI source. Good quality component cables aren't cheap, especially when you get longer lengths. They're quite bulky too, so try to identify if you have a need for one.

My av amp is an older model, so I had to put an S-video cable in for the menus. You should be ok with a modern unit.

Any need for scart? I put one in because my cable tv box needed one. I guess your HD box outputs HDMI into the new amp.

What about a spare HDMI? Many modern displays have 2 inputs. You might not need one if you are outputting from the amp, but what about if you want to connect something up temporarily, or if the cable develops a fault (bad connection or something). May be worthwhile if you are plastering in.

Have a good look at any amp you are considering. Make sure it has enough video inputs to suit all your needs, and have a look at its outputs. Take that into consideration also when deciding cables to run to your displays.

I still have to take care of outputting HDMI from the AV amp so that I can send the signal to both screen and projector, I'll deal with this later though.

- Can you not get amps with two HDMI outputs?

As long as I can still have the stereo amp driving my fronts then I could consider getting the av amp at the start,

- Very easily done. Cinema amp preouts into the stereo amp, stereo amp then in effect works as a power amp for 5.1 use. Then for stereo use, take analogue outs from your source (eg CD player) into a different input on your stereo amp - normal stereo use, no av amp in the signal path.

HTH,
MarkP

[marvinwright1]

Thanks for the response, I'm hoping that I will have full access to put new cables in, certainly to the projector, i plan to use decent size trunking in the walls. To the screen will be behind skirting so could be accessible.

I've only seen a couple of amps with dual HDMI output so far in the region of £1,500, thats far more than I really want to spend on an av amp at this stage.
A cheaper amp with one of these might work, http://www.tmfsolutions.co.uk/Gefen_exthdmi142.htm

Marvin

[cronemeister]

Have a look at this m8.

http://www.pricerunner.hughesdirect....-TXSR605-BLACK

For £400 notes its a cracking bit of kit....and has 3 HDMI connections.

I'm gonna look at this along with some Kef 5005.2's when I move house hopefully soon !

Gonna convert single garage to Home Entertainment room.

[marvinwright1]

It looks a very nice amp but bare in mind the 3 connections are 2 in and 1 out. I'm going to need 3 inputs at least.

Marvin

[inzaman]

Originally Posted by marvinwright1

It looks a very nice amp but bare in mind the 3 connections are 2 in and 1 out. I'm going to need 3 inputs at least.

Marvin

I have the 705 which has three HDMI in and one out? If you want more than one HDMI out i think you will need to at least look at the 875, the 805 might have two out but i am not overly sure. You could do a search in the av amp section if you are contemplating the Onkyo's as there are many thread regarding them in that section.

[marvinwright1]

Hi

Both the 805 and 875 have 1 out, I can only see the 905 which has 2 out, this is a whopping £1,400 Probably as a first step I will have to consider a 1 out like your 705 with the Gefen switch mentioned above. That would probably cost me half the price or just over.

Cheers,

Marvin.

[inzaman]

Originally Posted by marvinwright1

Hi

Both the 805 and 875 have 1 out, I can only see the 905 which has 2 out, this is a whopping £1,400 Probably as a first step I will have to consider a 1 out like your 705 with the Gefen switch mentioned above. That would probably cost me half the price or just over.

Cheers,

Marvin.

The 905 is a completely different beast to the 705 though as it has a much larger power supply and more powerful amplification amongst other things