HTPC Wiring Setup

[da simster]

Hi,

This is what I intend to have:

TV
ceiling mounted projector
PC
XBOX 360 Elite
PS3
Nintendo Wii
5:1 Speaker System (Amplifier, Subwoofer and 5 speakers)

My understanding of the wiring setup: The PC will be connected to the projector via VGA. I intend to run one HDMI cable from the projector to a HDMI port which will be located at the front. The port will have a HDMI splitter connected to it (2 in 2 out). The 2 inputs will be the XBOX 360 Elite and the PS3, the 2 outputs will be the projector port/wallplate at the front of the room and the TV. A component cable will be running from the projector to a wallplate at the front of the room, this is for the Nintendo Wii. The PC will be connected to the Amp via a red and white speaker cable. The TV will be connected to the Amp via a red and white speaker cable.

Now here are my questions:

Is VGA the best choice to connect my PC to the projector?
Is there such a splitter as 2 in 2 out for HDMI? (I need the splitter to keep me from switching the cable between the XBOX and the PS3)
Is there such a splitter for a component cable as 1 in 2 out for the Nintendo Wii?
Do I use the normal red and white speaker cables to connect each of the three consoles, the PC and the TV to the Amp?
Is there such an Amplifier that takes 5 inputs?

Could you please recommend projectors (HD Ready, 1080p), 5:1 amplifier and speaker systems within a total budget of £1,200.

Thanks in advance.

[fredd500]

You don't mention whether you have an amp already or what type of TV you have. If you are in the market for buying new, try and find an amp with HDMI upscaling and with several outputs (zones). You can then connect everything into your amp and use that to switch. I have an old Yamaha, but I know the new ones will do all the above and more.

However, you might also want to connect some sources directly to your TV rather than through the amp - for example, I have a SkyHD box connected directly to the TV for the simple reason that Eastenders doesn't require 5.1 surround sound.

My WII and DVD player on the other hand are only connected to the amp - both will always require surround sound (and hence the amp switched on) so no point connecting them both to the TV when I can connect them to the amp and take an output from the amp into the TV. My DVD player is also old so its best output is component - my TV only has one component in, and with the WII as well, I use the amp to switch between the two (as it has two component in's).

Hope this helps

[da simster]

I dont have any of the products i mentioned including a tv. I intend to buy everything from new for the HTPC room.

So, am I right in saying that I should be able to connect everything to the amplifier and then output that to the TV and projector. If this is correct then I need an amp/receiver that has the following:

2+ HDMI inputs (PS3, XBox360 Elite) = 2 HDMI Outputs (TV, Projector)

2+ Component inputs (Nintendo Wii, PC(Not sure??)) = 2 Component Outputs (TV, Projector)

This is my best find so far but its not sufficient to my needs because it doesnt have 2 hdmi or component outputs.
http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products...V-K/index.html
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your reply Fredd.

[da simster]

I have also seen this hdmi switcher/splitter

http://www.hdcable.co.uk/products/hd.../hd3to2switch/

but then i'd need a splitter a splitter for the component etc.

[mark rosser]

there certainly are some a/v receivers that will fit the bill - i have a marantz SR8001 - now replaced by the SR8002 - which has 4 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI outputs, which i have connected to my PJ and plasma screen. Both of these receivers will also upscale analogue inputs to HDMI for output.

the bad news is that receivers that have your two key attributes, 2 x HDMI output and internal upscaling from analogue inputs (component, VGA, s-video, etc) to HDMI output tend to be quite pricey!

http://www.avland.co.uk/marantz/sr8002/sr8002.htm

http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=340

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/ONK_905.htm

not sure if that helps....

good luck with the project

mark

[da simster]

You're right they are pricey. I think the cheaper alternative would be to buy an a/v receiver with the required inputs/upscaling and then have the single hdmi output from the receiver go into this switcher/splitter
http://www.hdcable.co.uk/products/hd.../hd3to2switch/

which would then output via hdmi to my projector and lcd tv.

Would this affect the picture at all??

Thanks for your reply mark.