How do I hook up all these parts for a home theater system?

Question

I recently was given a 1080i projector, so I decided to make it part of a home theater. Unfortunately, I'm confused about what I need and how to connect everything to get it to work, and since I plan on buying everything online or used I can't really just go in a store and tell them to give me a bunch of things that work together. My plan is to have the projector, a blu-ray player, ps2, and 5.1 surround sound as parts of the theater. If anyone could help answer my questions below that would be awesome!

1) The projector is 1080i, would it work with a 1080p blu-ray player?
2) Is it correct that I could connect the bluray player to the A/V receiver with an HDMI cable, then connect the A/V receiver to the projector with another HDMI cable (obviously the projector has an HDMI input)?
3) Do I need a specific type of A/V receiver to be able to use the bluray player's video and surround sound capabilities?
4) I just want to connect a regular coaxial cable input to the A/V receiver. Are there A/V receivers that have the coaxial input on them? Also, if I bought one that doesn't, is there a way for me to convert the coaxial input so that it can go through the A/V receiver?
5) I also want to connect a PS2 to the A/V receiver. I understand that since the PS2 does not have HD capabilities I cannot connect it to the A/V receiver with an HDMI cable. However, what kind of cable would I need to be able to connect the PS2 to the A/V receiver?
6) Assuming I can connect the PS2 to the A/V receiver, would I be able to use that through the HDMI from the A/V receiver to the projector (for the bluray), or would I also need an additional cable from the A/V receiver to the projector to be able to use the PS2?
7) How can I be sure that a specific A/V receiver will work if I buy the 5.1 surround sound system (including subwoofer) seperately?
8) Will the 5.1 surround sound system work with the coaxial input or ps2? I don't mind if I don't actually have surround sound, but will I get any sound at all through those?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

First of all, the place to buy whatever cable you need is http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp because they sell for more than half off the price you'll pay at Best Buy, Walmart, etc. And avoid the overpriced Monster Cable that proves "a sucker is born every second". Now, to your questions.



1. The projector will be able to use the 1080p signal from the blu-ray player but it will only display it in 1080i format. I double dog dare you to see the difference. You can't.



2. Yes, connect everything you can via HDMI cable. It's neat, clean, and provides the best possible signal without a bunch of unsightly cords.



3. You need to talk with a salesperson and tell them you need a receiver with at least 3 HDMI inputs plus at least one optical audio input. If you aren't going to upgrade your cable or satellite service to the digital tier (more about that later) then tell them you also need one with a coax video input as well. All current AV receivers handle surround sound pretty well.



4. There is not an "inexpensive" way to convert coax input to component input. If you upgrade your cable or satellite service to the all-digital tier, you get a box that your coax connects to. Then you use a HDMI cable to connect the box to your receiver. Presto, your problem is solved. You really should upgrade your service because you'll be absolutely amazed at the clarity of the picture with digital service. Time Warner gives you HD free with the digital tier. Otherwise, get a receiver with a coax video input.



5. The PS2 "audio" connects via a optical audio cable. I don't remember much else about the PS2, but the video will connect to the receiver the same way it connects to a TV set. If you upgrade to a PS3, you don't have to buy a blu-ray DVD player and you can connect it via a HDMI cable. It's about the same price as a good blu-ray DVD PLUS it has wireless connectivity with the Internet if you have a wireless router at home.



6. Yes. You will have only ONE HDMI cable going from the AV receiver to the projector, and the receiver determines which signal to send through that HDMI cable to your projector.



7. You don't want to buy a sound "system" separately. Stay away from those sound in a box sets; they are too restrictive and the sound is less than optimal. You are going to purchase an AV receiver, so you already have everything you need except the speakers. You'll need two pretty good ones for the front left and right, you'll need a center channel speaker, then the two rear left and right don't have to be as high quality as the front (because they don't carry any of the main sound anyhow), and a sub-woofer. Get an amplified subwoofer (not a passive one). The speakers have more to do with the sound than the receiver does, so get the best speakers you can afford. Always listen to demo speakers before you buy any particular brand. You can wait on the sub if your budget can't afford all at the same time.



8. Coax cable can carry surround sound signals without any problem. And like I said, use the optical cable for the audio from the PS2 to the receiver.



Happy shopping. Wish I had the money to go with you and pick up some of this stuff for myself!

Answer 2

First, ignore Joe's anwers as they reallydon't do much but confuse you.

The simple answer to all of your questions is YES. Except # 7 Which wont do you any good if its one if those DVD HTIB (Home theater in a box) systems.

But more specifically



1 - Yes, your Blu Ray player will be compatible with your Projector. But forget that,,, get a AV receiver that has the capability of passing all of your vieo signals ( PS2, CABLE/SAT TV) through a single HDMI, or HDMI to DVI cable, That way you only have 1 cable going to the projector



If you get one of these AV brand receivers (SONY, ONKYO, PIONEER) then you have eliminated the issues with your remaining questions as all the audio signals will be appropriately handled by the receiver and the only cable running to the projector is the one going from the HDMI oiut to your projector. The only connection you have to pay attention to is the type of video input on the receiver. All projectors rated at 1080i have to have either an HDMI or DVI input. If all it has is Component than it maxes out at 720p. 1080i cannot be proecessed through Component cables and thus you have to at least have a DVI so Joe's statement regarding that issue was moot (and incorrect) Once connected to the projector and the receiver. Everything else will run through the receiver ( there should be more than enounh inputs) Since you are using ps2, you will probably only be able to use component cables and either a Coax digital ( capable of delivering 5.1 sound) but the blu ray player will connect between itself and the reciever with a HDMI cable. All signals will be sent to the receiver through the HDMI or HDMI to DVI cable which will give you your best signal possible. Suggestion, if possible, set your Projector for the 720p setting not the 1080i as all of your video will look better on a projected image 50 inches or greater in the full progressive than the interlaced mode, especially when watching games on a PS2 as they are only presented at 480p and progressive to progressive delivers a better image than interlaced to progressive or progressive to interlaced.



So if you follow my suggestion and connect everything to the receiver and the receive to the projector, the questions 2 - 8 become moot.



Good luck

Answer 3

first, understand that projectors can become very expensive for every day use(wait till you have to replace the bulb!). Secondly, your projector is 1080i(720P), so are you sure it has hdmi and not cvomponent?

Just remember, even though you are using 1080i and not 1080p-get a reciever that is 'future proof', so you will not have to buy another one if you upgrade.

If in fact, your projector does have an hdmi cable-get a reciever with HDMI 'up-converison'-this will send everything that is plug in to your receiver to your projectore via just one hdmi cable. This will save you tons of money on cables. Make sure you get a good speed rated cable.....espcially if it is going to be more than 12 feet long....this could be expensive.....but well worth it. I suppose there are people wwho say that HDMI is HDMI, but be warned......that is not true.

Coax does not carry high def signal.....so avoid that...get a cable or sattellite box. If you get a receiver with hdmi up-conversion (I am trying to stay un-opinionated, there for, I will not mention any brands.). If you do get an up converting(warning:not the same as 'upscaling'.) then everything plug into your reciever will go to your screen via the one simple HDMI cable. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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