Okay, so I'm in the market for a new HTiB, and it will be my first one with HDMI set-up. I think I found one that matches what I need. It has two HDMI inputs, and a HDMI output. I have a Samsung HDTV that has four HDMI inputs. I have a DirecTV HD receiver, WiiU, PS3, and Xbox 360 that I will be wanting to hook up to the receiver.

One HDMI input on the HTiB receiver I will put the satellite receiver, and the other input I was thinking about getting a HDMI splitter and putting the three game systems on it.

About the output though, it would just go in one of the TV's HDMI inputs, and the receiver would know which system to switch the audio and video too? Example, the satellite would be on near all the time, but when I turned the 360 on, it would switch the picture and audio over to the 360's until I turned it back off?

Hopefully my question isn't too confusing, as I'm usually pretty good with technology nowadays, but this is the only thing that's always confused me about HDMI set-ups. Thanks for your help.

The receiver may not be able to switch automatically, but you will have an Input button on the remote to switch between the receiver's 2 HDMI inputs.

Switching is obviously a feature your interested in. Why not skip the HTiB and build your own set up. Even inexpensive HT receivers have more HDMI inputs. Some likely will have enough for your needs.

Tho, if that not an option, I really like the Monoprice remote HDMI switcher. It works well and can work with a universal remote like a Harmony.

Just out of curiousity, why would a system that doesn't have enough inputs for your equipment meet your needs?

An HDMI splitter will be a pain & for what you would spend on it, you could simply add toward getting a system with more inputs. 4 HDMI inputs is pretty basic for most entry level receivers these days.

For under $500 you can build your own system, and have a receiver that will handle the HDMI inputs... and probably has pass through defaults to pass through your cable box when the receiver isn't on.

Receivers in the $250-350 range are common, and have these features. Plus, the components of a system built upon a real standalone Home Theater Receiver will be upgradeable/replaceable.

Examples --
Pioneer VSX-1022-K - $249.99 from Newegg right now. It has 6 HDMI inputs. Pair this with a set of speakers like Dayton Audio HP-1 5.1 set $169.98 from PartsExpress.com (includes speakerwire) or Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 set from NewEgg.com for $169.99.

For all your cables, including speaker wire, hit up Monoprice. Speaker wire is very reasonable there, 50' or 100' spool of 16AWG or 14AWG. ORder up any additional HDMI cables, and any other interconnects you may need like ethernet for the network receiver, or a RCA cable for the powered sub.

Stay away from the Pioneer 1022. MANY common features were dropped on the new Pioneer mid-line receivers.
-no more speaker indicators
-5.1 wav/flac/ogg is now downmixed to stereo
-if used with a Tivo, there is a loud burst of white noise every time the audio switches from PCM to Dolby Digital (when channels are changed, going from menu to LiveTV, etc.) It is so startling, one of my guests actually jumped when changing the channel.
-can no longer give inputs custom names
-volume is no longer measured in dB, but by 1-75 & is ONLY displayed when adjusting it (might not be a big deal to some)

I have only owned Pioneer receivers for the last 15 years and never had any of these issues with any of them until I upgraded to the 1022 from the 1019AH. I just dumped it on Amazon and bought a 4 year old Pioneer Elite... and I got a great deal on the 1022 for $200. Go for the 1019AH, shouldve never replaced it.

Hey


I know with the all-in-one HTiB it's based on price and basically having it all there in one box. However as it's been pointed out building and choosing your own is a far better option and you'll get better results in the long run.

You get good sound from speakers/sub but unless you have a decent AVR to provide that sound it's useless. I belive the AVR in a HT is the heart and brain...essentially runs and controls the whole setup. It's one area you should not skip on. Speakers come & go but get a good AVR and it'll stay with you for years. I had a Denon that I used for 10 years before upgrading to a Yamaha (RX-V671) due to having everything connected by HDMI. the Denon is still used in another room and still cranks the sound; just doesn't have HDMI switching and inputs.

For some decent AVR's in the budget area ($300 under) I'd go with...

Yamaha RX-V371/373
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V371...7397499&sr=1-1

Onkyo TX-NR414 5.1-Channel Network A/V Receiver(Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR414...397499&sr=1-13

Denon AVR-1612 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1612...7397835&sr=1-7


All-In-One Speaker packages under $350...

Polk Audio RM705 5.1 Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM7...397945&sr=1-11

Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System (Set of Six, Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cha...398132&sr=1-58

Klipsch HD 500 Compact 5.1 Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black)
http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-HD-500...398218&sr=1-87

Martin Logan - MLT-1 - 5.1 Speaker System - Black
http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Logan-M...98410&sr=1-148


When it comes to any wiring and connectors; just one place to go for great service, product and unbeliveable savings...Monoprice
http://www.monoprice.com/

While your points are valid, we are comparing this unit against an unknown all-in-one HTiB with 2 HDMI inputs. Even this year's lesser Pioneer would be a significant upgrade over such a device.

You could easily swap in a Yamaha, Onkyo, or Denon unit in the same price range.

There's a few direct manufacturers of speakers like Dayton at PartsExpress.com and Fluance.com out there that are worth looking at, especially if you may want a 7.1 system -- as adding some more speakers is very cheap at their prices.

This 5 speaker set from Fluance is steal $269.99 shipped.
http://www.fluance.com/product/AVHTB...em.eng-97.html

Add a inexpensive sub like this 10" Polk with $90 shipped--
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290034

Dayton offers a great starter 5.1 set with a 12" (!!) sub for $215 shipped --
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-696

If you want the convenience of a one box solution --

Both Yamaha and Onkyo sell HTiB with regular speakers, powered subs, and a real Home Theater receiver. They have a number of options between $350-500. I still like building a system, though, as the Receivers in these sets are usually the very lowest end of the product line.

I would have to disagree, partly. Maybe you've dealt with crap speakers. Speakers are, by definition, the main source of audio for your system. And to me, that makes them by FAR the most important part. There's a reason good ones have 5, 10 year warranties, and even the best receivers max out at 3. They ought to last decades.

There are people that upgrade their AVR way too often, so those people probably need the advice to keep it a few years. But AVRs, because they are the "brain", need to be swapped out pretty often when the industry changes what the brain has to do. And many companies have claimed to be making "future-proof" receivers or preamps, but they never really have, and they were only the top of the line models costing thousands, which isn't really the topic here.

The amp portion of the receiver shouldn't need to be swapped out any more often than speakers, but unless you actually get into separates, that doesn't matter when you want to upgrade the processing and it is tied to the amp in a receiver.

Well my "crap speakers" happen to Boston and PSB. And in terms of having to upgrade AVR more oftern than not, that part is debatable upon the individual and their needs. As I said, I have a 10yr old Denon that's still kicking and providing great sound but...it didn't have the latest in connections mainly HDMI.

You can get recievers day & night but a AVR is just that...Audio Video Reciever. Not just some two channel stereo gizmo. It is the source and main part of any HT setup. Not unless one wants a lot of wires and seperates. I do agree that with Receivers/AVRs that they change mainly in the area of connections to keep up with the world of media but it's not major changes every year. With newer TV's, BR Players, console gaming, MP3, having it all able to talk and communicate with each other is a vital part. A AVR with good HDMI Switching and Audio Return is important or at least to those ho wish to streamline all their media components. It's not like HDMI is going to be replaced anytime soon.

One area where they have done to keep up wth those changes is to incorporate a "Net Jack" on the back for firmware upgrades. To me this was important when we got the Yamaha RX-V671, among other features. If I were advising one to get a AVR today that is one feature that is a must have. A few years ago only the very high end models had this. Now it's found on mid-level models. Sadly the Yamaha RX-V373 which I recommend doesn't have this. But again, like everything else; needs, wants and $$$$ play a part in what you can do.

Why I say the AVR is the "heart & brain" and shouldn't be skipped on is that all AVR's (and Speakers) are not created equally. Just like Car Audio amps, a 1000 watt "Bobs Amp" is not even close to a 200 watt JL Audio. You can have all the inputs, outputs, lights, gizmos you want but bad and cheap interanal parts especially the amps will hurt performance. Open up a Denon, Yamaha, or Marantz and there's a reason why they cost a bit more than "Bob AVR's". You can take "Bobs AVR" and you may have to turn the volume knob to say 25. On a Denon or whatever you may need to turn it to 10 to get the same output of volume. Hence the "clean power" phrase and another reason why not to skip on a decent AVR/Reciever

As to speakers I think there are far more options and choices out there than AVR/Receivers and budget wise sky is the limit. You have SATS, floorstanding, bookshelf, in-wall, in ceiling, $50 to $5000, black, white, cheery, natural, single, pair, set of five to a 7.1, 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, powered, not powered, vented, sealed and about 100 different brands. There's some good sound out there and can be found on a budget. Bottomline is to strike a almost equal balance with starting a HT with power & speakers

I go with speakers as number 1 for sound and audio investment dollars. Speakers don't get outdated (if at all) as fast as AVRs. I keep my AVRs but they do get moved to other rooms when they become outdated if not unplugged and stored.

I'd say we are on the same page. Just like you described about quality receivers vs junk, good amps are a major step up from even quality receivers. Esp with most speakers in the 87-93 efficiency range.

You might want to consider separates when you next upgrade the "brain". I'm in the middle of this myself. My 10+ year old receiver is starting to die (amps sometimes fail to output anything), and my first replacement part was a 5 channel 200w amp that makes my 110w $1500 receiver look like crap. Now I just need 2 more amp channels and a processor. I keep waiting for the perfect processor to come along. The one that is closest to what I want is twice my price range. Then there are some receivers one step closer to my desired feature list, except they are receivers, and the company didn't bother making a preamp version this year. Oh well, I should pay off this amp, first, anyway.

I've been fudging through HDMI and other tech upgrades. It would have been much easier if I had upgraded a few years ago to match technology. But my not-low-end receiver did make it possible to survive this long. And since HDMI has been such a headache, it's been nice to wait it out. It's finally fairly stable.