Home Audio Equipment For Every Room

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   I need help setting up a home theater audio system.?
   I bought a Panasonic Up-converting dvd player and surround sound all in one. Personally I don't like this and I would like to set up a customized home audio system. What receiver, speakers, subwoofer, dvd/bluray player, should I invest in? I know it would be great to have the top of the line on everything as well, but I'm also on a budget. Any advice is appreciated!

   • ANSWER:
     Not knowing your personal budget for this system, I recommend you go online to Home Theater Magazine or buy an issue. They recommend receivers, speakers, Blu-ray disc player from the low end to the high end. Hope this will help.

2. QUESTION:
   Can I buy new speakers for my home audio receiver? Sales person said no...?
   I purchased this unit the other day: http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1006157

   The sales person mentioned that I can never upgrade (buy new) speakers for it because it will "blow any speakers other than the ones that come with it"... he pretty much said the any other speakers, besides the ones included in the box, when hooked up to the system would either destroy the system or destroy the speakers.

   I know it's not a top end system, but is it really impossible to upgrade the speakers in the future? I don't quite understand how the system would destroy any speakers used with it, regardless of quality...

   Please only answer if you know for sure... thanks all!!

   • ANSWER:
     Your total system is 1000Watts, which is a lot of power. However, it only sends out ~145Watts/ channel (per speaker) at a resistance of 4 ohms (a pretty standard resistance for systems from big box retailers).

     If and when you decide to upgrade your speakers, check for these specs- its rated ohmage (4,6,8 ohms) and its RMS( in watts). In your case, you want to find speakers that can handle ~125 watts at 4ohms.

     A simple relation can convert for other resistances, i.e.- if you double your resistance, your rated power will halve its' value.

     I hope this helps, and enjoy your new system!

3. QUESTION:
   Question about speakers with two pairs of terminals for Bi-Amping! For expert home audio individuals.?
   OK I have polk LSi 7's and they came with gold clips that conjoin the top and bottom speaker terminals, The top is for the tweeter the bottom set is for the driver. Now I understand the clips are in case you are just connection them as fronts without a 2nd line of wire to bi-amp, it spreads the power evenly. Now I have my speakers Bi-Amped now and of course took off the clips. Now I am just setting up a 2.1 system with an Onkyo 807. Don't ask why, its just in my room temporarily. On different 2.1 settings the tweeters aren't playing, put the receiver on "Direct" or "Pure Audio" they play super clear and even but theres no woofer of course. I like my bass so I like the other 2.1 settings that integrate the woofer, but the tweeters don't play right!! My question is... would it cause ANY type of harm to the speakers with them Bi-Amped AND with the terminal joiner clips connected as well???
   I have a high end sub already and I want to enjoy a nice 2.1 setup. I know what the clips are for its jus that my receiver isn't playing the tweeters on all the settings. The clips ARE NOT connected because I have 2 pairs of speaker wire going to each speaker. I can live with having the sub not playing because I love the sound quality of my fronts, and it is just a bedroom so who the heck needs a woofer in the bedroom but hey.. I like my audio. The question is simple.. With the conjoining clips connected is it safe to Bi-Amp?.

   • ANSWER:
     If the terminal joiner clips are being used, you are not bi-amping them. The same signal will go to both sets of terminals.

     Don't bother will all this...you are just going to give yourself unnecessary headaches. Leave the terminal clips where they were when you bought the speakers. Wire a single speaker wire from the right front speaker output to the right speaker and the same for the left. Keep it simple. If you feel you need a sub after that, get one.

4. QUESTION:
   Home Theater/Audio question.?
   I would like to purchase the Pioneer receiver model that my husband wants. I found it in his computer's history and I want to surprise him.
   However, I have no idea where to go to purchase it, or if it is available yet....

   http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/Other/VSX-9130TXH-K

   would it be a good idea to get something comparable?
   If so which one?:
   -http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015HPYDK
   -http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V8D0DA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

   Thank you in advance.

   • ANSWER:
     In my opinion, if he has his heart set on that particular model, and he is an AV nut, he may be disappointed with anything else, especially something from a different manufacturer.

     The VSX-9130TXH-K hasn't been released yet and is the top of their non-elite line of receivers. This is a receiver that some people are drooling over and can't wait for it to be released.

     If you really want to buy him one and can't wait then at least stick with Pioneer. If you wanted something to impress him model up to the Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH or VSX-03TXH. You can get those at most specialty AV electronics retailers or online.

     Comment as to another post: A THX certified receiver does not need THX certified speakers. It means that THX labs tested and certified the receiver to perform as described in its specs and be able to pump out reference sound levels reliably. They also include THX sound processing modes. It pretty much means that the receiver is a good one.

5. QUESTION:
   what should I do for a home audio system?
   ok, currently, I have a HD Tv and DVD player. I play my ipod through an older bookshelf stereo, but I want something better.

   Here are some options I thought of: buy a 5.1 surround system for my TV and I could play the ipod through that. But I'd have to play it through the TV which could be a pain.

   Or I could buy one of those 100 dollar clock radios for ipod. Not sure how good the sound will be.

   Or I could just save up for a stereo receiver and hook it up to the TV and get some nice speakers. Sounds expensive though.

   Are there any other cheap options? My top priority is listening to my ipod through nice speakers.

   Thanks for your help.

   • ANSWER:
     are you going to watch movies through this system? if the answer is no, or sometimes but the sound isn't really important, then get a good stereo receiver and a set of nice speakers. the stereo receiver and a pair of good speakers will make the ipod and the songs, which are in stereo sound better. the way the songs are supposed to sound.
     if you do want to watch movies through the system, and you want the movies to sound good. then go with a surround sound home theater system. onkyo makes a good home theater system, and they make a ipod kit that will hook up to the reciever, charge the ipod, and i think it allows you to control the ipod with the remote control. i believe that system is around 9.99 and it comes with a good reciever, 7 speakers and a sub woofer, all the speaker cables you need. they do make a smaller system with 5 speakers and a sub, and i think that is around 249.99..or something.

     anyway..it all depends on what you want to do. a good stereo receiver from onkyo is around 149.99, and you can buy a good set of speakers, depending on the size, from around 99.99 a peice to 500.00 a piece.

6. QUESTION:
   Do you see anything wrong with this receiver?
   Yamaha Brings HDMI 1.3a Support and Full HD Audio Format Capability To Latest 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receivers

   -- High-Performance Receivers at More Affordable Prices Raise the Bar with Exclusive Cinema DSP Processing, 1080p Upscaling and iPod Connectivity; Ethernet Connection (RX-V3800) --

   Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced two new best-in-class 7.1 channel A/V digital home theater receivers, the RX-V3800 (140w x 7; ,699.95 MSRP) and the RX-V1800 (130w x 7; ,299.95 MSRP). Offering unsurpassed home theater audio and video realism, both models feature full HD audio format capability, including lossless Dolby Digital TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound, Yamaha's acclaimed Cinema DSP processing engine, video upscaling to 1080p, and support of the latest HDMI 1.3a specification. Both models are compatible with the Apple iPod, via an optional docking station (YDS-10), and allow playback of XM Satellite Radio's standard and XM HD Surround content. The receivers will be on display at Yamaha's booth (#450) throughout CEDIA Expo 2007, taking place September 5-9, 2007 in Denver, Colorado.

   The RX-V3800 also features an Ethernet connection, enabling consumers to access Internet radio stations, music files stored on a PC and the company's premier MusicCAST audio system server (MCX-2000), providing access to as many as 40,000 songs that can be stored on that system. Offering seamless integration with any sources connected by the Ethernet port, as well as with an iPod and XM Satellite Radio, the RX-V3800 enables users to navigate their content via well-designed graphical user interfaces that are optimized for display on HDTV monitors.

   Both models offer full support of HD audio format signals including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, HDT-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as surround sound processing with the enhanced capability of Yamaha's exclusive Cinema DSP. Content with 5.1-channel audio is augmented by two front "presence" channels that expand the soundfield upward and outward. The RX-V3800 features 3D Cinema DSP which gives the sound field an extra vertical dimension for more realistic sound images via the two front presence speakers.

   Both models support the latest HDMI standard, HDMI 1.3a, unleashing the stunning quality of 30- and 36-bit color depths. Colors are so vivid they seem to jump off the screen with perfectly smooth transitions and ultra-fine gradations. Both receivers have four HDMI inputs, allowing users to connect a variety of high-definition sources such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD players.

   Analog video sources are upconverted, enabling their signal to be routed to a connected HDTV through the HDMI output cable. What's more, both receivers harness Anchor Bay Technology's ABT1010 chip to provide video upscaling from 480i or 480p, to resolutions up to 1080p. As a result, users have a true high-definition experience even when viewing sources such as DVDs. A 120Hz refresh rate is supported to accommodate new, reduced flicker LCD TVs. Moreover, 1080p/24Hz compatibility provides optimal performance with Blu-ray Discs and compliant displays. Auto Lip-Sync Compensation prevents sync issues sometimes associated with transmitting video and audio via HDMI.

   Additional features for high quality audio performance include Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART design which simplifies the signal path and eliminates noise sources to ensure superior audio and video performance. Activating the receivers' Pure Direct functionality protects the signal additionally by further shortening its path, bypassing all DSP circuitry and cutting power to non-essential functions such as the front-panel display. High Current Amplification allows the amplifiers to drive all types of speakers with pure, robust sound. Also included are discrete low-noise power supplies, Burr-Brown 192kHz/24bit DACs, large arch-shaped heat sinks, low jitter PLL circuitry for SPIDF signals, and all-new, ultra-rigid vibration damping chassis design.

   Both models connect easily to Apple iPods via an optional iPod docking station (Yamaha YDS-10; SRP .95). Once docked, the iPod can be operated (song selection, play, etc.) via the receivers' remote controls. A one cable connection allows users to view the iPod's video, pictures and operating status (song title, artist, etc.) on a television monitor. In addition, docked iPods are automatically charged so they're always ready for a road trip. The RX-V3800 also has a front panel USB port to for quick and easy connections of other portable audio devices.

   Playback of XM HD Surround from XM Satellite Radio, which delivers audio programming in full 5.1 channel surround sound (XM Ch. 76 and 113), as well as content from the company's 160-plus standard service channels, is achieved via an optional service subscription and XM Mini Tuner. Neural Surround™ technology enhances the experience of XM HD Surround, delivering a detailed sound stage with superior 5.1 channel separation. Yamaha's proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer technology compensates for the lost detail of audio that is compressed during the "ripping" process, recapturing the essence of the original recording.

   The Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) simplifies the home theater setup process by automatically analyzing room acoustics and setting parameters for optimum sound quality at the touch of a button.

   The RX-V3800 and the RX-V1800 offer flexible system configuration options, as the 7.1 channels can be used to create an immersive surround sound environment in a single room, or the seven internal power amplifiers can be allocated to a main room and up to two additional zones. The RX-V3800 offers the extra capability of outputting video to a second zone simultaneously with the main room. A dedicated zone remote and RS-232C interface allow both receivers to be easily integrated into custom installations.

   • ANSWER:
     Nope, sounds awesome!

7. QUESTION:
   Home theater that streams video files from home network?
   I have seen various brands of home theater receivers that will connect to your home network and stream pictures and music. I've seen models that connect to the internet and let you rent movies via Net-Flix. Also, models that will even allow you to insert a usb stick and or types of medium to play different forms of media. Is there any (home theater receiver) that will connect to your home network and allow you to stream video files ( .avi, .mpeg, divx, ect.)? There are a large number of set-top boxes on the market that do just that but if it's already possible to stream audio and pictures, why not video?

   Is Net-Flix paying off these AV companies not to make this possible or does none of these companies think people have video files of their own instead of renting them from online services? If that's the case then fine, but I need a new home theater system in the next few months and really want one that can do it all without dropping over 0 or having to buy separate boxes and have more wires to look at.

   If I raised eyebrows about the boxes, here's the links to a few:
   http://www.myka.tv/

   http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-media-receivers/d-link-medialounge-dsm/4505-6739_7-31524144.html

   http://www.techwarelabs.com/western-digital-tv/

   http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/

   • ANSWER:
     Most of the higher end receivers do. I have a Denon 4306 which is several years old. I can stream audio from my Windows PC. The newer models will do pictures and video also.

     Pretty much all receivers (and even small radios) have USB ports these days. You have to pay a bit more for a receiver that has network connectivity. Best bet is to get an entry level receiver that you like and hook it up to a PS3 or other media streamer.

     I stream everything through my PS3 and bypass my Denon. The GUI is better on the PS3. You could also use a Slingbox or cheaper media streamer and hook it into your existing receiver (if you have one).

     Net Flix isn't big enough to buy people...they may give free license to use their name however and it's the consumer that drives the market. Manufacturers try to give people what they want because that sells.

8. QUESTION:
   What would cause white smoke to come out of my TV?
   I had a TV and other electronics hooked up to a generator at a home show, and when I plugged in the surge protector white smoke POURED out of the top and bottom of the TV. Smoke also came out of the bottom of my Blu-Ray player. Neither work now, nor does my sub woofer and HK audio video receiver. What would cause that? Too much power? Too little power? PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS.

   • ANSWER:
     Ummmm, your TV is broken?!?! get it serviced.

9. QUESTION:
   Home theater problem// speakers not working.?
   well. i just got the LG HDTV (LH30)
   and err the matching LG home theater. (HT963TA)
   so.

   and i wired everything correctly.

   its just when you watch tv only the 2 front speakers work + the bass.( the speakers that aren't working is the small speaker on top of the receiver and the 2 back speakers )

   this also happens with tv shows with 5.1 in the title and HD programming. ( HDPVR box is hooked up the correct HD wires and the HDMI cable is connect to the reciever to the tv.)

   the only time i actually made all the speakers work was watching a dvd with the audio setup at 5.1 ..

   so im wondering is something wrong with my speakers when watching tv shows or is it suppose to be like that?

   it might be confusing how i said it.

   but basically. how can i make all 6 speakers work together?

   • ANSWER:
     Connect optical cable from cable box to system for audio.

10. QUESTION:
    Hooking up a PS3 with a home theater system, and an HDTV (vizio 32" plasma)?
    ok. so I have a PS3 and a vizio 32" plasma hdtv. the speakers in the tv do not sound very great so I wanted to get a home theater system so I can play my PS3 with good sound and picture. I am a college student and this is for my dorm. Im not looking for a top shelf system, but something maybe 0 range with a 3.1,4.1,or preferably 5.1 or something I can find on ebay, hopefully less.... Is it possible to hook my ps3 to my hdtv with an HDMI cable, then use either an HDMI or optical digital cable to connect my plasma tv's audio to play out of a home theater system? would this allow me to play my PS3 video games and dvd/blue ray dvds with good picture and sound quality? (my tv has 3 HDMI ports, 1 digital optical output, 2 analog L/R outputs, a component input, a s/video input)..... I am asking if this type of connection would work because I know it costs a lot more money for receivers with the HDMI input features, and even more money to buy the speakers to compliment the receiver. If there is another way, a more inexpensive way, or any other suggestions on what I can or should do, I would greatly appreciate it. THANKS!!!

    • ANSWER:
      The PS3 has only one HDMI output though so you would need to go HDMI from your PS3 to receiver then HDMI to TV from receiver to get the best sound. Unfortunatly 0 for a complete system with receiver and speakers you won't get anything top notch. Most cheaper HDMI receivers have only HDMI pass-though which means it doesn't handle sound from HDMI cable within the receiver. You would need to run optical from the PS3 to the receiver to get sound in that case. You would be best to leave the HDMI to TV from PS3.

11. QUESTION:
    Which (of these) speakers would you purchase? Sony vs Polk?
    Im looking for a pair to add to my receiver. I had a decent pair of very old Advent IIs but the drivers are blown probably from age.

    I am looking at two Sony's for at amazon or two Polks for 9 (with promo) at newegg.

    They will be used for home audio hooked up to a receiver (Movies, Music, Gaming). Bass is important to me but quality is the most important as a woofer can always be purchased.

    Whats the best bang assuming quality is most important and not the difference? Will the Sonys have a lot more Bass - if so is it good bass?

    Polk Monitor 40s (9 at newegg with promo):

    http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Monitor-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0002ZSFTQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202

    Sony SS B3000 for :

    http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000-Bookshelf-Speakers-8-Inch/dp/B000OG6I6A/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2CC7K8Z04SJIW&colid=7MJ72M08NTP9

    Thanks in advance for your input!

    • ANSWER:
      Polk wins--by a mile: Sony speakers are mediocre at best. Sony specializes in electronics, not speakers. Polk Audio is a speaker manufacturer, period.

12. QUESTION:
    Digital audio gives me occasional, but EARSPLITTING hiss or squeal. Why? And how do I stop it?
    I use an all-in-one HTIB (DVD/CD player, receiver, 5.1 speakers) system in my home. It's by no means top of the line, but it's what I've got, and I've no intention of upgrading any time soon. It has amongst it's many inputs on the back a solitary digital coax port. No optical audio. Not far from this device is an XBox 360 that supports digital audio output. . . but only in the optical variety.

    I purchased an optical-to-coax converter, then plugged an optical cable into the xbox, a coax cable into the receiver, and slapped the converter in between them, and it works great. . .except that sometimes my beautiful 5.1 digital surround sound cuts out and is promptly replaced by the most god-awful, earsplitting hiss or squeal that you've ever heard. Sometimes it lasts for a fraction of a second, sometimes it lasts until I shut the receiver off, unplug the converter, and start again from scratch. Sometimes it starts after 5 minutes of normal operation, sometimes after many hours.

    My problem is that I'm pretty sure it's the converter, but I have no way to prove or test it. I own no devices with a coax output to test the coax cable or receiver independently, and I have no devices with an optical input to test that cable or device independently.

    I really enjoy, even on my humble system, the much improved audio quality of the digital pipe over the analogue, but not if it means constantly biting my lip waiting for a horror-movie style scare.

    Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    • ANSWER:
      Sounds like you have a feed back loop, somewhere!
      Consult your owner's manual for examples the manufacturer
      offers for properly connecting your unit with other equipment.
      I hope this is of some help to you!

13. QUESTION:
    What Kind Of Cables Do I Need For My Home Theater?
    Hi,

    completely newbie..so need some help.

    Here's my equipment.

    Denon AVR1610 Receiver
    Polk Audio CS10 - Center Speaker
    Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers
    Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers - Rear Speakers
    Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer

    TV is a Samsung UN55C6300 55" LCD TV Direct LED.

    So all now I'm missing is cables to hook it all up. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    I don't need top of the line cables (ie monster) but just need an idea of what KIND of cables i need to hook everything up.

    THANKS!

    • ANSWER:
      For the speakers, you'll need speaker wire. Nothing fancy. 12 or 16 gauge wire should be fine.

      For the subwoofer, you'll need a subwoofer cable. This looks like a standard composite video cable with RCA jacks...in fact that's what I use for my subwoofer. Or you can get a RCA cable that says "subwoofer cable" on it. Same stuff, but they'll charge you a bit more.

      For the TV...well, it depends what you're connecting to the TV.

      If it's a HD device - like a HD satellite box, HD cable box, upscaling DVD player, Sony PS3 or Microsoft Xbox 360 - you'll want to use a HDMI cable.

      If it's a non-HD device, like a VCR, regular DVD player, Sony PS2, etc. then you should use the best video cable that the device supports. In order of better picture this is : Composite (yellow cable), S-Video (black cable with funny 4 pin connector) and Component Video (3 separate RCA cables colored Red Blue and Green). For audio, use the standard red and white cables.

      You now have a choice to make. Do you want to use the TV as a switch, or use the receiver as a switch?

      * Receiver: Connect all your devices to the receiver with HDMI, and then connect the receiver to your TV with HDMI. The receiver must remain on for you to have audio. Your TV speakers won't do anything. A good choice if you want to listen to everything through your speakers. If you are using non-HD devices, you can still connect them to the receiver as well. You'll just have to run an additional video cable of the same type to your TV. The receiver cannot convert video inputs into a different output.

      * TV. Connect all your devices to the TV with HDMI. Run a single optical audio (also called TOSLINK) cable from the TV to your receiver. By default, your TV speakers will play the sounds from your devices. If, however, you want to use the surround sound, you'll set your TV to output the audio on the optical audio cable, and then turn on your receiver. This gives you more flexibility - for instance I only watch TV with TV speakers, and save the surround system for movies.

      Don't spend a ton of money on cables! A 6' HDMI cable shouldn't cost you more than . Same goes for any of the other AV cables. A 25-30 foot spool of speaker wire shouldn't be more than . Forget about Best Buy - they only carry over priced junk. Go for a no-name brand electronics store.

      Can't find cheaper wires and cables at your local electronics store? Go online. Monoprice.com has cheap AV cables and an excellent reputation.

14. QUESTION:
    Need a good home theater receiver?
    I have a 5.1 setup running through a pioneer VSX-406. I will eventually get a 7.1 setup, but not anytime soon. So I'd like the next receiver I own to have that capability.

    My biggest pet peeve with my current set up is that it's not actually surround sound. It's something called Simulated surround sound. So something that is THX certified would be great!

    I'd also like a few hdmi inputs as well as optical audio inputs. I'm not too picky on the output wattage, but anything higher than the 80-90W that I have now would be great.

    Also, I don't have a huge budget, and its not something I'm going to be able to buy for a few months, so keeping that in mind, i'd like it to be under 0 TOPS.

    Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Denon 1909, Yamaha 663, Pioneer 1018, Onkyo 606, Sony 920. These 7.1 receivers support audio via HDMI connections and also have DTS-HD MA and Dolby True HD decoder on board.

15. QUESTION:
    Im looking for an alternative to a Receiver for my LCD TV?
    Im looking for some alternatives to using a receiver to get some better sound from my LCD tv. I have a great home theatre setup in the living room but that seems a bit over the top for a small bedroom. Anyone know of some decent speakers that can go straight from the digital audio out on a TV?

    • ANSWER:
      Try a good set of speakers that can be used for computers. I have an inexpensive set of Logitech speakers hooked up to desktop at work but sound great. There are other makes that might do as well. see if you can borrow some to try it out as an experiment.

16. QUESTION:
    Wii connection audio help ?
    I just got a wii. I have an onkyo receiver and my bro hooked up our xbox 360 and ps3 to it, along with a vcr, dvd player, and the tv. He got a remote and programmed it on the computer so that when he presses "watch tv", the audio settings and tv thing change to make me watch tv. If he presses "play ps3", then it changes for ps3. He is not at home and won't be coming for a few months, so I do not know what to do. I plugged in my wii into the power socket in the wall for the ac adapter or power plug thing. Then i connected the sensor bar and put it on top of my tv. Then i got the av cables, red, white, and yellow for audio left, right, and video. I plugged them into my tv directly. After doing that, I could see the wii screen. I played a game in wii sports and it worked fine. The problem is that there was no sound. My receiver is complicated and I don't know how to set it to play wii. So I was wondering, how do I use the speakers on my tv. I do not want to use the receiver. I plugged in the av cables directly into my tv, but sound still doesnt come even when the receiver is off. How do I get my TV build in speakers to work? Is there any settings to change? Thnx in advance. Please give as much information as possible, and do not use technologically advance words because all I know are the workds I typed in here, i'm not up to date with tech stuff.

    • ANSWER:
      If your TV has several audio inputs, and your Wii audio is directly connected to your TV.. Yellow, Red and White components. You more than likely need to use your TV remote to change the audio input. Change it to the input you are using for the Wii. (I would recommend using the original TV remote provided by the manufacturer, rather than the programable one your brother uses). On your TV remote try either: Menu>Audio, or Setup>Audio, and then try changing the audio input until you hear the audio.
      Also, make sure your TV speaker volume is turned up! D'oh.

17. QUESTION:
    Is this a good lap top for 690$ after taxes?
    Compaq CQ50-106CA I just need a lap top for music and Msn and such.

    WebID: 10108457
    Mfr. Part Number: FM757UA#ABC
    Base Features
    Approximate Battery Life Dependent On Usage
    Hard Drive Speed/Capacity 250GB 5400RPM
    Optical Drive 8X DVD+/-RW DL
    Processor Speed 2.0GHz
    Processor Type AMD Turion X2 RM-70 Dual-Core
    RAM 3GB DDR2
    Screen Size 15.4"
    Graphics
    Discrete Video Memory Yes
    Expandable Video Memory No
    Graphics Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 8200M
    Integrated Video Memory Yes
    Native Screen Resolution 1280 x 800
    Upgradable Video System No
    Video Memory Up To 1407MB
    Audio
    Audio Chipset Altec Lansing
    Audio Output Stereo
    Digital Input No
    Digital Output No
    Hardware Volume Control Yes
    Integrated Amplifier No
    Integrated Microphone Yes
    Microphone Input Yes
    Speaker Wattage Not Listed
    Speakers Yes
    Inputs/Outputs
    Card Reader Yes
    Card Reader - Compatible Memory Types SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD
    Composite Output No
    ExpressCard/34 Input No
    ExpressCard/54 Input No
    HDCP Compliant Yes
    HDMI Port Yes
    IEEE 1394 Input/Output No
    IR Receiver No
    Number of Touchpad Buttons 2
    PC Card Input No
    S-Video Output No
    Type of Keyboard 101-Key Compatible
    Type of Modem 56K
    Type of Pointing Device Touchpad
    USB 2.0 3
    VGA Output 1
    Webcam Yes
    Networking
    Ethernet Port 10/100BASE-T
    Integrated Bluetooth No
    Integrated WiFi 802.11b/g WLAN
    Power
    Battery - Capacity Not Listed
    Battery - Number of Cells 6-Cell
    Battery Type Lithium-Ion
    Computing Features
    Processor Cache 1MB L2
    Removable Storage No
    System Bus 2GHz
    Software
    English/French Software Bilingual
    Loaded Software 1 HP Help & Support Center
    Loaded Software 2 HP PC Recovery
    Loaded Software 3 HP Wireless Home Network Setup
    Loaded Software 4
    Pre-loaded Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
    Accessories
    Headphones No
    Remote No
    Product Features
    Notebook Depth 25.70 cm
    Notebook Thickness (closed) 35.69 cm
    Notebook Weight (including Battery) 2.79 kg
    Notebook Width 2.54 cm
    Warranty Labour 1 Year Limited
    Warranty Parts 1 Year Limited

    • ANSWER:
      yes it is a pretty good one for that price

18. QUESTION:
    Could you PLEASE help me with my Television?
    i have a 42 inch Sony Bravia LCD television

    all of a sudden it just stopped responding to the video inputs when i switched the video input.

    we were watching television (video 1) and then I switched to my Playstation 3 (video 7). the Playstation had sound coming out (from a separate home theater receiver) but the television showed nothing but the label "video 7" at the top left corner. then I switched back to video 1 and its the same thing. Audio (again from that separate home theater receiver) but no video.

    i tried switching the inputs (plugging the Playstation into video 6), i tried switching HDMI cables. i tried turning the television off and on again, unplugging and replugging the television and nothing worked.

    I cant take it back because i don't have a warranty with Sony or the retailer in which i bought it from. what can i do?
    I Forgot to mention that the television box runs on an S-Video cable and my Playstation 3 runs on an HDMI. I have ensured that the cables are both plugged in properly

    • ANSWER:
      If that Bravia has inputs on the side or the front of the TV, try plugging something into those just to rule out a problem with the backplane.
      Also, turn it on and press the menu button. If nothing appears, then you'll need to have a repair shop take a look at it.
      Hopefully it's a 0 board replacement and not the panel. If the panel has gone out, then it will probably be cheaper to buy a new TV.
      Sorry to hear it died on you.

19. QUESTION:
    Why dont HDTV's have RCA jacks?
    Why dont HDTV's have RCA audio out jacks for the general TV audio? I notice my father's 50" HDTV has a digital audio out. I do know it is partly for higher quality, i'm guessing. It is also for having surround sound?

    I'm trying to convince my father who is in his early sixties that it would be better for him to get a new speaker and reciever set. He has vintage Realistics that were top of the line radioshack speakers at the time. They play great, I won't lie, still, but he's sort of determined he could get good audio if he got a converter box or converter cable with a Digital Audio Out to RCA jack. I think he's looking for the 3.5mm jack sort. I'm not TOO knowledgable on home audio but he is and has done technician work all his life, so i'm confused as to why he's being stubborn about getting updated speakers. I explained to him the quality and that it could go into surround sound.

    We went into Best Buy and I guess he didn't believe me, because he was shocked to see most HDTV's that are around 32" or so and above don't have RCA and have the digital/optical audio out.

    Besides my questions I have asked are there other reasons for them not having RCA jacks, too? I'm trying to convince him to get a new speaker and receiver set without having to spend hundreds on converter boxes or cables.

    • ANSWER:
      rca jacks were meant for stereo sound, 2 speakers and done, digital was designed for dvd and above sounds quality. multiple channels etc surround sound not just 2 speakers. if he wants to keep his realistics he can, he would still get better sound than the tv. im guessing you have a panasonic 50 inch plasma. he just needs to get a stereo receiver with a digital input that matches the tvs output. or if you want to keep it simple for him get him a sound bar with digital input.

      as for why most dont have rca jacks, its simply because of manufacturing costs and the brand assuming you are going to use surround sound and not stereo sound.

20. QUESTION:
    Should I use this stereo system to play my mp3s on computer?
    im thinking of buying this system: Pioneer VSX-1020-K 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver
    http://hometheater.about.com/od/audiocomponentreviews/fr/Pioneer-Vsx-1020-K-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-Review.htm

    I also have the Warpia Wireless USB Audio and Video PC to TV/Projector Display Converter Kit (HDMI + VGA)
    which plays the audio through the television

    My question is, will the songs that I have on my super computer be able to play on this home theater system and will the sound be off the tv spekers or the home theater speakers. Secondly, Would i have just been better off with the Warpia Wireless USB Audio PC to TV converter which plays sound off the pc since the super computer has a top of the line sound card

    • ANSWER:

21. QUESTION:
    did i fry my receiver?
    i had my subwoofer on the floor while listening to my home theater system,

    the subwoofer was laying on top of its wire which had exposed wiring (i like to swap subs sometimes) and i pushed the sub back and it dragged the exposed wiring on the carpet, immediately after that the receiver made a loud pop sound and a burning smell started coming from it, i thought it was the end of this receiver for sure, but after leaving it unplugged for about 2 minutes i decided to see if it would still work (with one speaker plugged in on a LOW volume) and it surprisingly did, i have yet to try to plug the sub back in, what i need to know before trying anything is what damage was done to my receiver?
    (im putting this in car audio because i believe that car audio buffs know more about speaker systems)
    if the receiver is fried then how can it still be putting out sound? is it dangerous to still be using?
    Damian Littlefair, your answer was absolutely useless!

    after i plugged the speakers back in, sub included, i discovered that i fried my subwoofer channel, the small speakers all work fine, i just won't have bass ever again :'( rather unfair considering i didn't know that dragging the wire across the floor while its in use would cause this.

    • ANSWER:
      You should create an earth or a fuse block just incase it "could" happen again. Sounding by it you've burnt the coil out in the subwoofer.

22. QUESTION:
    I need a receiver for a klipsch hd theater 300, ps3, computer, and tv?
    I am planning on buying the kilpsch hd theater 300 home theater system. I have a computer, a ps3, and a TV(set top box). I want to hook my ps3 (HDMI video and audio), Computer(RCA audio only) and a TV set top box (composite but someday hdmi) can someone find me a receiver for around 200 that can do all that?

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5214107&CatId=4586 is that receiver good for all of that? and also is the klipsch hd theater 300 good?

    • ANSWER:
      If you want a receiver that will handle all of those then you may have to fork over more than 0, but not that much more. Go to www.crutchfield.com as they have experts that can recommend the best receiver for you. There are some decent 7.1 receivers that are about 0 or so and the shipping isn't that bad either, If you order a receiver 9 or above, the shipping is usually free ( unless they changed in the last few months)

23. QUESTION:
    Should i get an xbox 360 or a ps3?
    they're both 0 now and i'm NOT gonna get both for christmas, if one.

    xbox details: more ppl have one, it has SOME better games like halo 3, internet is better but you have to pay for it so that's probably not happening, more break downs probably, needs an ethernet cord (i still have another open port on my router so the trouble would be getting it from the first floor through the the ceiling and such to a wall socket and other things which is a hassel).

    ps3 details:less ppl have them so even with free, not-as-good internet, it wouldn't be as fun, internet is wireless, has blu-ray*

    *my dad has a recently upgraded home theater system with the following: enhanced 7.1 surround sound with those really good 70's Bose speakers, light controlled room, 90" 1080p projector screen with a Sony BRAVIA VPL-HW10 SXRD Projector (one of the top picks of the year by home theater magazine), the most premium everything package from Dish connected with an HDMI cable outputted to a receiver at 1080i that upconverts (specifically by deinterlacing it in this situation) to 1080p and spits it out to the porjector, a laser disc player hooked up with component cables and coaxial digital audio, a VCR player hooked up some how probably at the best that it can be (i haven't looked at that part), internet radio from around the world (yes, with an ethernet cable but that would not be just moved to the 360, we would do another cord) including FM and AM and he also separately hooked up local AM, FM, and (Sirius)XM radio, a record player, and most importantly a not-HD-DVD-or-blu-ray dvd player that somehow can output 1080i through an HDMI cable to be upconverted to 1080p before it reaches the projector but the dvd's we put in are still 480p max so i'm thinking that that's the only not fully upgraded part and one day movies will only come out on blu-ray so he'll have to buy one eventually but if we have a ps3 he MIGHT not buy one or at least for a while so that decreases the cost -- maybe. i want to know what you guys think about the whole thing with that specifically as included with the main question and as a seperate question.

    things that don't really play a factor: buying a wireless adapter probably won't happen, true the graphics on the ps3 are better but they're close enough that i don't want to include that in my thinking

    extra things: now that i think about it, if i get one then instead of going through the trouble of another 50ft HDMI cord (and no, the length makes almost no difference until like 400ft, u ppl are wrong, don't comment on that) through what would have to be a new wall socket up to the ceiling etc. so it would be in the same place as where we put all my other systems when i play them, we would probably keep it in the same room as the receiver because ALL of the controllers would be wireless and the cords would just be existent in a MUCH better way but if we didn't with the xbox then the new wall socket could include ethernet but even still with bringing it from upstairs... but if the xbox was in the same room as the receiver then maybe the ethernet cord would be simple because it would follow the exact same path as the one to the receiver. if there are any cost differences in terms of accessories, controllers, games etc. that i haven't listed here, wheather they be the same or different, please let me know. any info would be helpful. i'll try to answer any questions but i don't know how often i'll be checking this

    p.s. also, maybe i should say that there are two and i want one and here are the details and you can make the decision. what do you think?
    p.p.s. you have more than a week to answer. i'll try to remember to keep extending the expiration but keep commenting/answering anyway

    • ANSWER:
      If more of your friends have xbox then get xbox because it's more fun experiencing online play with friends rather than with just random people. Ps3 is nice because it's free internet and maybe better graphics... But those are the only pros that I can come up with for the ps3. The xbox also has left 4 dead which is a great zombie based game. It has Halo 3 and it has Modern Warfare 2 which is the best game so I would say xbox.

24. QUESTION:
    Laptop to Tv to Surround Sound by HDMI?
    I have my hp elitebook 8530 connected via hdmi to my insignia 720p lcd and then I have an optical cable running from the tv to my surroudn sound (5.1 dd)

    Whenever I use my hd set top box or run a dvd/blueray (connected via HDMI to tv and then to surround sound by optical) my surround sound picks up the 5.1 from the HDMI signal sent to the TV,

    The only time this doesnt work is for my laptop. MY laptop DOES output audio through hdmi!
    my problem is not that its not working but that my computer is outputing only Stereo through the HDMI. My surround receiver switched into pro logic and refuses to even consider it a digital signal. Whenever i run the configuration for the digital output in the "sound" section of control panel, I get the front left and right speakers outputing but nothing else. In theory I want the HDMI to send out digital 5.1 (or similar) to my tv and then that would get sent to my Receiver.

    I'm not expecting it to be perfect but if anyone knows how I can get my computer to output some kind of a digital signal like all the other sources connected to my tv, let me know.

    I'm quite familiar with home theater setup but I just cant figure out this computer related issue. I dont see why it can't just function as any other source....its an hp elitebook with blueray in addition to top of the line specs.

    help me out
    Nope that didnt help. Im aware of how to configure my settings but It seems as if I only had stereo as an option in the hdmi configuration. I dont have ANYTHING asking me for 5.1 let alone 7.1. I dont know

    • ANSWER:
      is it vista or xp or windows 7? windows 7, sry, i cant help ya, havent upgraded. Vista i know, xp i might b able to help.

      This Would need u to go to the control panel and click sound. Click on whichever output you're using, and hit configure. A menu should pop up on vista, asking if you want to use stereo, 5.1, or 7.1. Click 5.1, and follow the rest of the steps to set up your specific speakers. Hope this helped!