My reciever is HDMI switching with 1080p pass through. I understand that all this stuff is not "top notch" equipment, but I think it is good for me to start with. I have only owned 2 tv's my whole life. 1 was a 21" I got for christmas 15 years ago (which I still have and primarily use), and the other is a 50+ inch tv I had for one year that was donated to me after I helped my neighbor set up their new home theater system. The big tv was about 20 years old when I got it and when I moved to Houston from Aggieland, it fell off the trailer and busted in front the house I had in college.

 

Whoa! I never said it wasn't as important, but in his case I would sacrafice the sound components for better video... mainly 'cuz he is in an apartment and that extra kick-**** sound will be wasted since you really can't ring out the system without ticking off the neighbors. That's the point I was trying to make.

I love audio... besides my Denon S301 system with my plasma for 'general viewing' my mini theatre setup is a 63" Hitachi projection, Denon AVR-5700 receiver, Infinity Overture III series all around, and a B&W sub.

 

I have another question. I have the harmon/kardon reciever as you all know, does anyone have "the Bridge" ipod hookup? I don't have an ipod myself but my fiancee does. I think mine comes with it, or do I have to buy it seperate? I am looking for comments on this.

 

Yeah, I got your intent but a lot of people purchase most of this equipment and then move it from place to place & it may end up in a house so...

Also, the surround sound won't be wasted. The .1 effects will definately suffer in an apartment but I wouldn't cut the budget on the receiver or the mains, center & surrounds.

Apartment dwellers won't be able to listen at Dolby or THX (most HT nuts use Dolby) recommended SPLs which does make a difference in hearing dialogue clearly in movies but you could compensate by increasing the center channel only.

I hardly ever get to discuss this HT geeky stuff & I'm only moderately geeky. I like spending money on too much other stuff like my truck, my '64.5 Mustang, guns, electricity for the garage...

 

One more thing... I have a hook up for cables. What am I going to need besides 3 HDMI cables, AV cable for sub, speaker wire and a good power strip?

 

That's probably it. Interconnects for any other devices you want to connect, like a CD changer. Digital is always better, so Toslink/fiber optic or digital co-axial (looks like regular RCA but it'll be orange) cables.

Powerstrip with a good quality surge surpressor and a noise filter isn't a bad idea. You want to get one that you can run your satellite &/or cable through and phone/internet if you have that connected to your HT at all. Power surges from nearby lightning strikes can come through any of those sources. NOTE that a close enough strike will probably blow everything anyway, but at least you tried, plus if you go with a good brand they'll come with a warranty/guarantee.

I went with a Panamax Max 8 DBS+5, I think it was around $80 & I considered it only minimally protective but I couldn't bring myself to spend what the "audiophiles/HTphiles" do. Some of those folks spend more on interconnects than I make in a week! "But MY cables are _pure_ silver!"

 

Pure silver is the #1 best conductive metal but it's too expensive. Copper is the #2 and cheaper so that is why it is widely used. Although, with the cost of copper going over $3/lb these days I don't know...