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Originally Posted by rastaFarai
Thanks, great info. As far as upconversion - the PS3 does upconversion. I also have a DVD player that does upconversion. Here's my question though, if I run HDMI from my cable box through the receiver and I have one that does upconversion - will my standard TV channels get upconverted? If so, then this is a huge benefit. I would definitely consider spending more $ to get a receiver that will do upconversion.
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If your cable box is already HD, then it has a video scaler in it and can already upconvert. Check your settings and make sure you have 720p and 1080i selected in the output section. But keep in mind upconverted crap is still that... crap. Analog TV that has been upconverted is never going to rival even a compressed HD signal.
How are you planning to switch HDMI sources with one input? PS3/DVD/Cable box, that's 3. You will need a diff rec'r or else an HDMI switch. And HDMI does carry audio. DVI does not.
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As far as what I'm willing to spend - most of my $ is going into buying the TV lol. So I figure to spend $2200-$3000 for the 52" Sharp (84u or even Special Edition 94U).
For audio setup, I was looking to spend $500 on a receiver, preferably 7.1 - let me know if this is worth it, can I get similar output from 5.1?
For speakers another $750.
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Your rec'r budget is fine. Speakers will be tight. You can get the same levels from a 5.1 as 7.1 so don't let that point bother you. To date, most movies are 5.1, maybe 10% are 6.1, and maybe 3% for 7.1 ( I made those % up but you get the idea). So you can determine how important 7.1 is. Keep in mind you can also emulate 7.1 from 2 channel or 5 channel sources if you care. I have a 5.1 and 7.1 setup, and if you can't get the front effect channels placed perfectly, it sounds no better (to me) than 5.1 in my opinion. Check and see if you have proper placement options for a 7.1 system before you buy all those speakers.
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Thing is, I don't have to purchase my top of the line speakers now.. I'd rather spend the $ on the TV, and I can invest in the speakers later. Another option I was thinking of is replacing the speakers in the ceiling and using them as the surround. I have 2 front floor standing speakers already, all I would need is a sub.
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Like Lab said, how about using your ceilings for surrounds for now to save money? (cross them over high, like 90-100hz if you like it loud). IMO, put ALL of your speaker budget into the front three: left, right, center. Get the beefiest timbre-matched center you can afford.
Like the JBLs shown above, most speaker companies offer matching centers for the mains so the voicing is the same across the front. Same driver design, etc. So sounds that move across the front all sound the same. Very important for HT. If possible, the same exact speaker as your 2 mains will make an excellent center. Later on get some better surrounds and add a sub when you can afford a decent one... a cheapie will not play low enough or loud enough to act as a real HT sub and will just waste your money.