Too. Many. Wires.
November 14, 2011 11:36 AM Subscribe
Please help me figure out what I need for my new TV install!
Hi!
I've been out of the home video/audio loop for about seven years and I've got a friend coming over on Saturday to help get my new toys all set up and I want to get all the connectors before then. Will you please help me figure it out? I saw this question that helps somewhat, but doesn't quite have all the info I'm looking for.
New TV
Sound Bar
Blu-Ray Player (tbd)
Xbox 360 (hooked to current tv with component--would it make sense to get the HDMI for this?)
Tivo HD (hooked to current tv with component, no hdmi interface, it also has an optical audio output)
I'm a bit confused as to how to connect everything up so that it flows properly...
If I'm using the sound bar as the primary audio, do I need to connect the audio for the Xbox and TiVo directly to the soundbar, bypassing the TV completely?
For the Blu-Ray (and possibly Xbox), do I run an HDMI to the Soundbar, and then from the SoundBar to the TV? Does that mean I'd need 4 HDMI cables (2 in, 2 out)?
The end result would be nothing going FROM the tv TO the soundbar, right?
Any and all help would be most appreciated...thanks!
Hi!
I've been out of the home video/audio loop for about seven years and I've got a friend coming over on Saturday to help get my new toys all set up and I want to get all the connectors before then. Will you please help me figure it out? I saw this question that helps somewhat, but doesn't quite have all the info I'm looking for.
New TV
Sound Bar
Blu-Ray Player (tbd)
Xbox 360 (hooked to current tv with component--would it make sense to get the HDMI for this?)
Tivo HD (hooked to current tv with component, no hdmi interface, it also has an optical audio output)
I'm a bit confused as to how to connect everything up so that it flows properly...
If I'm using the sound bar as the primary audio, do I need to connect the audio for the Xbox and TiVo directly to the soundbar, bypassing the TV completely?
For the Blu-Ray (and possibly Xbox), do I run an HDMI to the Soundbar, and then from the SoundBar to the TV? Does that mean I'd need 4 HDMI cables (2 in, 2 out)?
The end result would be nothing going FROM the tv TO the soundbar, right?
Any and all help would be most appreciated...thanks!
That sound bar looks like it's designed to act as a switcher. In which case you'll hook up all your components to the sound bar (with HDMI if possible -- since you have only 3 devices, and the sound bar has 3 HDMI inputs, that'll work fine). Then an HDMI cable from the sound bar to the TV. You will then switch between components using the sound bar's remote rather than the TV's, and just leave the TV set on HDMI 1 or whatever input you use.
posted by kindall at 11:57 AM on November 14, 2011
posted by kindall at 11:57 AM on November 14, 2011
Kindall's right here. You need 4 HDMI cables (these would do nicely), three going from the Tivo, Blu-Ray, and 360 to the soundbar, and one leaving the soundbar and heading to the TV. Hook everything up and go.
posted by deezil at 12:18 PM on November 14, 2011
posted by deezil at 12:18 PM on November 14, 2011
Response by poster: Wow, who knew everything got so simple in the last few years?!
Thanks kindall an deezil--you've talked me off the ledge!
My only issue, is that I think my Xbox is an old one that doesn't have HDMI. But since I've been considering a Kinect, maybe I'll just upgrade the whole dang thing.
posted by Zoyashka at 12:27 PM on November 14, 2011
Thanks kindall an deezil--you've talked me off the ledge!
My only issue, is that I think my Xbox is an old one that doesn't have HDMI. But since I've been considering a Kinect, maybe I'll just upgrade the whole dang thing.
posted by Zoyashka at 12:27 PM on November 14, 2011
I'd also recommend you pick up one of the Logitech Harmony remotes to tie everything together. These things are incredible, and will allow you to sock away all of the extra remotes that will soon be piling up.
posted by BobbyVan at 12:28 PM on November 14, 2011
posted by BobbyVan at 12:28 PM on November 14, 2011
Also, not sure where you were planning on getting your cables, but I'd definitely recommend avoiding the standard stores (Best Buy, etc) for them. You can get much much cheaper stuff online; I like Monoprice.com like deezil, but there's a few options out there.
posted by inigo2 at 12:53 PM on November 14, 2011
posted by inigo2 at 12:53 PM on November 14, 2011
Your sound bar has both optical and RCA sound inputs. You can wire the sound for the XBOX into the sound bar and video straight to the TV. Here especially, a Harmony remote would be good for changing all your input settings with the touch of a single button.
posted by supercres at 1:34 PM on November 14, 2011
posted by supercres at 1:34 PM on November 14, 2011
Nth the Harmony. I have way too many components to deal with individual remotes, and HDMI-CEC isn't really there yet. One day, but that day isn't here yet.
posted by wierdo at 2:52 PM on November 14, 2011
posted by wierdo at 2:52 PM on November 14, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the input everyone!
I actually did have a Harmony remote with the setup I'm getting rid of, but after 6-ish years and dropping it one too many times on a hard floor it finally died. I'm definitely going to look in to replacing that guy.
posted by Zoyashka at 8:17 PM on November 14, 2011
I actually did have a Harmony remote with the setup I'm getting rid of, but after 6-ish years and dropping it one too many times on a hard floor it finally died. I'm definitely going to look in to replacing that guy.
posted by Zoyashka at 8:17 PM on November 14, 2011
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posted by Zoyashka at 11:42 AM on November 14, 2011