HDTV Cabling Info Request: HELP NEEDED

Alright.. guess this is the easiest way to go about things, by asking directly.

Here's the connection set-up on my TV:
Connections: 3 composite A/V (1 front), 2 S-Video (1 front), 2 component (Y/Pb/Pr), 2 HDMI, 1 RF, 1 USB

I've been informed that the cables that come packed in w/ the Premium 360 provide the optimum display, so I'm fine w/those.

As for the Wii, should I get the Official Nintendo Wii Component Cables 480P or something else? HDMI?

Also, what should I buy for the PS3? HDMI?

I'm almost positive I'll be getting the Samsung HT-Q40.. so what audio cabling would I need for that?

I'm more than likely going to buy from Monoprice, so if you can provide model numbers so I don't grab the wrong stuff, that would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance to all who respond. ;D

 

You've got a really good A/V setup. I've seen the specs on your HDTV and HTIB and here's how I would put everything together:

VIDEO Connections to the HDTV

PS3 - HDMI cable
XBOX 360 - Component cables
Wii - S Video Cable
Samsung HT-Q40 for DVD playback - Component cables

Note: Your HDTV has only 2 component inputs so if you also want to connect the Wii by component cables you will have to get a component video switcher. I've seen them at Walmart for about $20.

AUDIO Connections to the Samsung HTIB

Wii - Stereo Audio cable to AUDIO Line In
PS3 - Digital Optical/Toslink Cable
XBOX 360 - Digital Optical Toslink Cable

Note: Since your HT-Q40 has only one TOSLINK input you need a switcher/selector such as this:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2946&seq=1&format=2

Connect both the 360 and the PS3 by digital toslink and the output from the switcher goes to your HT-Q40. This way you take advantage of 5.1 audio from the 2 consoles.

I buy from monoprice all the time so here's your shopping list plus the toslink switcher above:

HDMI Cable 6 feet 24AWG - for PS3 video:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...cs_id=1024002&p_id=2219&seq=1&format=2&style=

Component Cables 6 feet RG6 - for HT-Q40 DVD video to HDTV:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...cs_id=1023502&p_id=2769&seq=1&format=2&style=

Digital Toslink cables for the PS3 and 360 - you need 3 of these: 2 for the consoles to the switcher and one from the switcher to the HT-Q40:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...cs_id=1022901&p_id=2764&seq=1&format=2&style=

You can choose different cable lenghts depending on your room setup. The 360 component cables come with the premium package. The Wii S-Video (or component) A/V cables should be available in game stores and electronic retailers or online.

 

BTW, to get the highest quality image (480P) out of your Wii you will need to use the component cables, otherwise you will only get 480i. It does make a noticeable difference in pic quality. They are kind of hard to find right now but madcatz has them on their site for $19.99.

http://www.madcatz.com/Default.asp?Page=322&CategoryImg=Nintendo_Wii

 

If you'll be using component cables for the Wii here's the Philips component switcher that you usually see at Walmart:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BVIBGI/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_2/103-5316248-0177401

There are better quality switchers out there but they can be expensive:

http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/1154a.asp
http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/cvs4.asp
http://www.inday.com/rgb4x/rgb4x.htm

 

I've got my eye on a few of the official Nintendo Component Cables... are those inferior to the ones you fine fellows are suggesting?

btw, you fusking rock.

 

I've actually got the phillips switcher (absolutely $20 at Wally mart) and the madcatz cables, what a coincidence! They work very well and as intended. I wouldn't think that the nintendo cables would be inferior. I have yet to see them though! I couldn't wait any longer so I went with the madcatz cables

 

Whoa... so I'll need TWO switchers? =/
That purple one (first one) is a tad on the ugly side... any in black or grey or blue?

Right now I have a standard switcher that's hooked up to my old game systems, but they all run off the RWY cables.. which would more than likely be obsolete for the new set-up I'm rocking now, yes?

ie: Higher Quality cabling requires a higher quality switcher?

 

If your old switcher does not have component inputs you may want to upgrade. The phillips allows for composite/s-video/component. It does not have digital audio switching. I guess you can either buy two switchers, as mentioned, or go with a different HT receiver that has more inputs, or perhaps a more expensive switcher might have digital audio switching built in with video.

 

Well shit. =/

Are there any Samsung HT models that can handle it all? The 40 is what I saw in store at BB, seemed perfect for my living room.

There's no way to plug all that stuff into the TV, then go from the TV to the receiver? If I'm plugging everything into the receiver, what good are the slots available on the TV itself?

 

You can certainly hook everything up as dblbogey7 described. That way you get it all optimally hooked up using what is available to you "out of the box". There will be minor compromises with the setup, such as using S-video instead of component cables with the Wii. But if you want to use the components you will have to buy extra equipment. I don't know if there is a "perfect" t.v. set out there with enough and varied inputs to be able to hook up every electronic component under the Sun. Many people choose a receiver that has many input options and simply switch all of the settings from there. I have several inputs on my set that I don't use because most of my components run through my receiver. This will of course depend on your budget. There are several inexpensive HT setups that have multiple component and digital audio inputs. This model gives decent performance with a variety of inputs:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onky...48410/catOid/-12884/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

There are several models at best buy and circuit city for less than $300 that include DVD players. You will have to decide what inputs thay have to provide for your other components:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...##0##z&list=n&usc=All+Categories&nrp=15&iht=n

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Home...net_price|0/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do

 

Can I get 1080p from the cables that come w/the premium 360?

I plan to pick up the Nintendo component cables for the Wii to get the best possible performance..

If the in-box cables for the 360 wont work, should I get two HDMIs? One for PS3 and one for 360?

The HT-Q40 is my fallback system, I'm shooting for the Onkyo 5.1 now.. 590 something, I believe. Fry's had an ad for it for $150, but it expired on the 24th. I'm going to try to bring the ad in w/no date on it and see if I can press my luck.

Apparently now I need to get seperate AUDIO cables for each system as well? The included audio cables aren't optimum performance?

I'd rather not get a switcher if possible.. but the PL-970 HD system selector is only $20, so I can handle picking that up.

So what do I need with this stuff in mind?

 

The Xbox 360 only outputs 1080p through the VGA output, if you want to use this you will have to get a Xbox 360 HD VGA cable (YIKES! More cables! Sorry!). There is no HDMI cable available for the system. With the component cables you will get 1080i. I just got my 360 and haven't tried the VGA cable yet so I can't tell you if there is a big difference. I would suggest the HDMI cable for the PS3. The include audio cables are R/L stereo composite cables. You may be able to get psuedo-surround sound (AKA Pro Logic) but not true 5.1, etc. For the best available audio connection for your setup you will need 2 Toslink digital audio cables - one for the 360, one for the PS3. There is no digital output or true 5.1 surround on the wii so you're good with the A/V component cables. If you're going with the Onkyo system the "switcher" is built-in. That is, you can input up to 3 component devices and (I think) either 2 or 3 digital optical connections. Once you have it set up, you just hit the selector button on the receiver and everything switches to the appropriate input/settings.

 

Thanks Chikn, you rock for being so attentive to this thread.

You have AIM/YIM? XBOX Live?

Also, are these the audio cables I need?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2&style=

Is this one better than the one above?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...cs_id=1022901&p_id=2764&seq=1&format=2&style=

 

I think the only difference between the cables is the "fancy connector". I'm too lazy for IM! LOL. I am on xbox live occasionally, same tag - ChiknLitl.

 

I read elsewhere I should pick up a VGA HD AV cable for my 360 if I want 1080p?

There's a decent one at Play-Asia.... unless monoprice carries them as well?

Also, those Opticals I linked to in the earlier post will be fine for the 360/PS3?

If so, I'm going to place my order for the HDMI cable and two of the TOSLINKs I linked to earlier.. unless there's more I should pick up from MP? Want to get everything shipped out one time, in a single package.

I picked up the Onkyo HT-S590 today for $159.99 Stoked. Now the only thing I'm dreading is hiding all the wires for the surround sound. I refuse to drill into my walls and snake cables everywhere.

 

Yes, if you want to get 1080p from the 360 you will need the VGA cable. I did not notice mention of a VGA input on the set you described above. The cable you linked to are perfect. If you are going to hook up the 360 or other electronics (WII) via component cables to the onkyo receiver, then you will want to buy a component cable to go from the receiver to the T.V., the sound will be coming from the HT system so no need to run audio cables to the T.V.

 

So does that mean everything HAS to plus into the receiver? I can't plug some stuff into the TV, some into the Onkyo?

here's what I found for stats

Receiver:
» built-in Dolby® Digital, DTS®, DTS Neo:6 5.1, & Dolby Pro Logic® II processing, for surround sound from DVD, VHS, and stereo sources
» 6-channel amplifier (105 watts x 5, plus 125 watts for subwoofer)
» Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry minimizes noise
» 192kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels
» adjustable subwoofer crossover
» 32-bit DSP processing
» AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets
» component video switching (3 in, 1 out)
» digital inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial
» 2 audio and 4 A/V inputs
» 2 sets of main speaker outputs
» 17-1/8"W x 5-7/8"H x 14-1/2"D

My monoprice shopping list is going to be:
HDMI - HDMI 6ft
Toslink Opticals x2
Component - Component (?)

I don't think monoprice carries a 360 VGA cable, unless I searched it wrong

 

You can plug things into the t.v or receiver. For me it's easier to plug stuff into the receiver and just push 1 button to switch between audio and video inputs. For example, if I had the cable box and 360 hooked up to the receiver with component cables and the digital audio cables, I would only need 1 component cable going to the t.v. To switch between the cable box and the 360 you just push the button for that input on the receiver remote. The receiver will change the audio and video source and send it to the t.v. Easy!

If you don't have a VGA input on your set or if your set does not accept or display 1080p through the VGA input, either you will not be able to use the cable or you won't get an improved picture.

 

Here are the specs for my set-up:

HDTV
http://samsung.com/Products/TV/DLPTV/HLS6187WXXAA.asp?page=Specifications

RECEIVER:
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S590&p=s&class=Systems

I'm going to make my monoprice purchase later today, so what do you suggest I do about the 360 situation? Stick with the included cables I already have, or spring for the VGA? I don't know if it's supported or not.. This is it's own special plug-in, like S-Vid or HDMI or compos, etc?

As of now, I'm purchasing the 4 cables.. HDMI, Compon-Compon (which one do I need to get?), Toslink Opt x2.

 

I owe you an apology my friend. I didn't know which model set we were dealing with here. Also I was mistaken re: the xbox only outputting 1080p over VGA. Good news! you don't need to buy the VGA cable to get full 1080p out of the xbox. The xbox will output 1080p over the component cables but a lot of sets do not accept 1080p through the component inputs (unfotunately for me!). Your set does accept 1080p through the components, no VGA needed. BTW, you do have a vga input-it is what you would plug your computer in to if you wanted to use the set as a monitor. As far as which component cables to get, I think you only need one for now (receiver to the T.V.). I would suggest only the 3 plug, not 5 plug with the audio cables, because the audio will be going through the receiver. That is unless you want to use the t.v. speakers at some point. Make sure to get a long enough cable so that you can pull your receiver out without tugging on the cable. For example, 3 feet might reach, but just barely. whereas, 6 ft. gives you room to move things around a bit.