Onkyo AVX-290 5.1-Channel Home Theater System $150 + Free Shipping (expired)

Quote from MIX MASTER ICE : HDMI allows for lossless audio, while optical (toslink) does not. I also believe HDMI supports 7.1, while optical does not. Optical also doesn't support the new, higher quality audio formats such as Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD and DTS-HD. Optical is good enough for basic 5.1 digital, but you are really not taking full advantage of your receiver by bypassing the HDMI connections and connecting everything to your TV. In that case you might as well find an older receiver off craigslist for 30 bucks that supports optical, but not HDMI.

Thanks for the info, I thought Optical > HDMI. My old receiver didn't even have optical in, I had to use a converter to RCA in.

Sorry to bother you guys again but I have a question my old set up I have a Bose Acoustimass 5 Series II Subwoofer is that far better than the one they give you in the package? or can I combine both?

Picked mine up yesterday (it arrived on the 12th as phone call re delay promised). So far so good, except that I am short a HDMI cable (til the onesaleaday 10pack arrives). Discovered the hard way like everyone else that component connections don't pass thru the HDMI. I just want to add my thanks for all of the helpful info here.

Quote from domino : Picked mine up yesterday (it arrived on the 12th as phone call re delay promised). So far so good, except that I am short a HDMI cable (til the onesaleaday 10pack arrives). Discovered the hard way like everyone else that component connections don't pass thru the HDMI. I just want to add my thanks for all of the helpful info here.

Only higher end receivers convert/pass component through HDMI. Crazy to think that this receiver would have that feature.

Quote from KiraOfTheSky : Sorry to bother you guys again but I have a question my old set up I have a Bose Acoustimass 5 Series II Subwoofer is that far better than the one they give you in the package? or can I combine both?

I would sell anything you have that is Bose someplace like Craigslist. Maybe you'll find a sucker who really believes Bose is good.

Has anyone else noticed that the video is slightly faster than the audio? There is a setting for audio delay, but the audio is already delayed. I need it to be a video delay. Any suggestions?

I'm watching antenna tv with optical audio going to the receiver.

Quote from MIX MASTER ICE : Only higher end receivers convert/pass component through HDMI. Crazy to think that this receiver would have that feature.

OK, if you say so, as I said, I am new to the surround sound stuff.. confused as to why there are inputs to connect a signal that is not displayed then. I mean, why have video inputs along with the audio? What am I missing here?

Quote from domino : OK, if you say so, as I said, I am new to the surround sound stuff.. confused as to why there are inputs to connect a signal that is not displayed then. I mean, why have video inputs along with the audio? What am I missing here?

If you'll notice, connections such as component have in and out on the receiver. Just the same as HDMI, the "IN" is where you can connect one or more (depending on how many your receiver allows for) devices connected by component. The "OUT" is where you can run a single component connection to your TV. Then you can switch to different component connected devices on the receiver, leaving the TV on the one component "IN" you have hooked up. It's really very simple and upscaling/pass thru from a lesser quality connection such as component via HDMI is usually only available in higher end receivers.

BTW really enjoying this setup in my bedroom. Took a bunch of tweaking, but once you find the right settings (which it has a good amount of for the price) it really shines.

Nothing compared to my high end system, but apples and oranges.

Quote from Kiev : BTW really enjoying this setup in my bedroom. Took a bunch of tweaking, but once you find the right settings (which it has a good amount of for the price) it really shines. Nothing compared to my high end system, but apples and oranges.

If you don't mind, can you please share some of your tweaking that you made in the system. I understand everybody's preferences would be different. But for a novice like me, it would help me to know what kind of tweaks to consider. TIA.

Can some Tess me do the surround speakers have a hook on them to attach them on a screw on a wall?

Quote from Sultanofdeals : Can some Tess me do the surround speakers have a hook on them to attach them on a screw on a wall?

The surround speakers have a key-hole slot in back for wall mounting.

Quote from MIX MASTER ICE : If you'll notice, connections such as component have in and out on the receiver. Just the same as HDMI, the "IN" is where you can connect one or more (depending on how many your receiver allows for) devices connected by component. The "OUT" is where you can run a single component connection to your TV. Then you can switch to different component connected devices on the receiver, leaving the TV on the one component "IN" you have hooked up. It's really very simple and upscaling/pass thru from a lesser quality connection such as component via HDMI is usually only available in higher end receivers.

Yes, right, that is how I had it connected, but my question is, is there any benefit/advantage to using the composite inputs on the receiver vs direct to the composite inputs on the TV?

Seems like 2x the number of cables for no reason. That is, is it as good to use an optical or digital audio cable from the TV, (or even the stereo outputs from the TV) for sound and connect the, for ex, Wii to the TV (via the TV composite) rather than via the receiver?
I am being sort of lazy I suppose by asking rather than testing, but I don't have any digital audio leads yet so...

I found an answer to this question from 5 years ago saying to go ahead and skip the receiver - just curious if anything had changed since then!

Thanks for your help, btw!

Hmm, OK, I see that I didn't read your explanation carefully enough. I missed your point that if there is more than one component source than the receiver provides a single component output to TV. I guess that could simplify connections somewhat. Since I have just the one non-HDMI device, if there is no audio advantage to using the component input on the receiver than I will skip it. Thanks for your patience!

how to connect to computer with no hdmi out?

Quote from xecutionkrk : how to connect to computer with no hdmi out?

What outputs are on the computer?

I searched for 'connect computer without hdmi'

This was suggested:
http://askville.amazon.com/comput...d=81239622

and found this article
http://www.pcworld.com/article/24...s_not.html

Does that help?

Quote from domino : What outputs are on the computer? I searched for 'connect computer without hdmi' This was suggested: http://askville.amazon.com/comput...d=81239622 and found this article http://www.pcworld.com/article/24...s_not.html Does that help?

Thanks I did a old trick with aux. Switched to aux on the receiver, connected red and white rca cable that came with my old speakers. Now I get all working but had to boost the audio knob to 43 to hear decent sound. So I'm sure this isn't the ideal way to get best quality lol