Disclaimer: I am a total newbie and this will be my first foray into the HT world, so any help and advice is appreciated.
Right now I have a 42" JVC LCD HDTV, Comcast HD cable box, an Xbox 360 and a PS3. Unfortunately the JVC HDTV only has 2 HDMI ports. I've tried using an HDMI switch box from Monoprice but neither the PS3 nor Xbox 360 could be projected at 1080P. Will a receiver address this issue?
As far as the receiver is concerned, I'm setting aside a budget of $500 max. I'm taking a hard look at the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K receiver, but I am open any other suggestions you all might have (please provide a reason as well).
The second part of the equation are the speakers. I haven't decided what my budget yet (let's say $400, suggestions please), I'm looking for a setup that can provide great sound for Movies, Games and Music (in that order). Couple of questions I had were:
1.) Floor standing speakers vs. complete speaker system. So I guess 2.0 vs. 5.1. Can a dual floor-standing speaker setup compete with a 5.1 surround sound setup?
2.) Realistically, the majority of my time would be either gaming or watching tv/movies. So I think 2.0 floor-standing speaker setup would suffice. Are there satellite speakers I could buy later on if I do decide to go 5.1? What would be recommended?
3.) Is it feasible to use 4 floor-standing speaker and a center channel for 5.1, or is it a complete overkill? i.e. 2 pairs of Mission M35i's, two front two rear.
Sticking with just 2 speakers would work well if you were listening to music 99% off the time and since your not perhaps you might be an excellent candidate for a HTiB (Home Theater in a Box) that would come with all the stuff you need to thoroughly enjoy the audio from your movies and games. The only problem might be finding one with 3 HDMI inputs but here is at least one to start your shopping:
I really like the look floor standing speakers give to the whole setup, are they any Home Theater in a box with floorstanding speakers you could whole-heartedly recommend?
This reciever will do 7.1 and 2.0 stick with 5.1 later,, with component and hdmi inputs, & hdmi out to tv.,
you can use the missions I have for installs before perfectly... 4 speakers ALL AROUND would sound great then center and sub later.,
or just 2 m35 for fronts then later these as rears http://uk.shopping.com/xPO-Mission-M30
and center at least M3c1 later and an inexpensive paradigm pdr-8 subwoofer too when you can.
Read manual of reciever so you can hook up x box etc to reciever then one cable{hdmi] to tv.. its capable of upconverting video so you'll be set.
I recomend using audioquest speaker that you can afford type 2 or flex 14/2 http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/audioquest/speaker-cables/type-2/PRD_116399_1584c rx.aspx one touch harmony remote and your in heaven..