HOME THEATER RECEIVERS

"I was told by a best buy salesperson that there was a 7 channel receiver, that when hooked up to a 5 channel receiver would carry-over the power from the 2 UNUSED channels to the other 5 channels. Does anyone know what receiver he was talking about???pls help. In otherwords the unused wattage from the other two channels would be divided up between the other channels..He said its the only receiver that does this..!"

It's basically simple EE theory.   The power supply in the AVR is only capable of delivering so much usable power to drive the load, i.e. loudspeakers.   So the fewer channels that are being driven allows more power to be fed to the channels that are active.   All the channels are tied to the same power grid in the unit. 
It's one reason that usually spec units with two channels being driven if you look closely.   With two channels it is much easier to meet the published 100wpc spec.   If you ever look at hardware reviews of AVR it becomes apparent right away when driving up to 7 speakers the available watts per channel drops significantly.  Good news though most of those tests create conditions that typically don't occur with typical source material (driving 7 channels 20Hz-20kHz in phase at the same time).  Even those conditions cause even highend units to kick into protection mode that limits the current being pulled from the power supply so it does not burst into flames.
With most modern soundtracks 95% of the content is being delivered to your front three speakers.   The surrounds are rarely heavily active for most films.
So the salesmen was not lying, but what he was explaining is just a basic principle on how the AVR operates and it something that manufacturers don't put into marketing material.   If you look closely at the specs you can see that even on 7 channel AVRs that the power is usually spec'd for only driving two channels.  If they spec'd all 7 channels running it does not generate an exciting number for marketing to tout.
WPC is also not the whole story... you could spec a power figure of 100WPC easily  but if the total harmonic distortion was on on the order of 10% it would not sound too good.   Look for a THD of 0.1% or less with power figure the manufacturer is claiming.   Also it is not unusual to see a high WPC quoted with no THD on the box, but a much lower one on the spec page with a reasonable THD.   That's because the FTC regulates how power figure has to be stated. 
So this is my general advice to anyone buying an AVR:
1. Get the features you need... proper number of ins and outs for your application and the proper type(HDMI, component, etc), DSP, etc
2. Get the highest WPC with the lowest THD of the models that fit your features needed in #1 and fits your budget.

Similar Messages

  • Apple TV Optical Soundoutput not working with Sony Home Theater System

    I just bought a new apple tv. The setup was pretty simple, with the exception that I cannot get the optical audio output to work with my Sony home theater.
    If I switch tha optical sound cable from the apple tv to the cable tv converter box I get sound fine in the sound system, so I know the sound system works fine and is setup to take input thru the optical cable.
    Any one experiencing the same problem?

    hey buddy,
    How old is your Sony receiver? You have to be careful here because receivers that were made about 2 years ago, a lot of the lower range one only does HDMI pass-through. This means that your receiver only passes both the video and audio signal onto the end points, i.e takes the signal from your apple TV and outputs them onto your TV. It does not split the video and audio stream and send the audio to your home theater speakers. So make sure you plug your hdmi and optical out into the same set of input ports. On most Sony receivers, this device is under the Blue Ray class of input, where it takes video from the hdmi and the audio from the optical. If you have them on two separate class, say, HDMI to the DVD in, and optical in to the blue ray, then certainly when you set your receiver to DVD, you get video and audio on your TV speakers. And when you set your receiver to blue ray, you only get audio but not video.

  • Building a Home Theater, Suggestion​s?

    So I am looking to build my first really home theater and I am really looking for a good system, but do to some restriction by my girlfriend I am looking for a compact size system.  I have done some research and am stuck between the Mirage Nanosat System and Sub or the Boston Acoustic Soundware XS (which unfortunately BBY does not sell the Soundware XS).  I also have no idea what receivers would be recommended for either of these, from what I had read the Boston Acoustic pair great with Denon so I was checking out the Denon 1611.  I also had my eyes on the Yamaha A700.
    I hope you awesome people out there can give me some suggestion or point me in the right direction.
    Thanks!

    Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System with Powered Subwoofer
    Model: PC600 | SKU: 8206201
    Learn more about Magnolia Premium Installation   Enjoy lush layers of crisp audio with this speaker system that harnesses advanced audio technologies, including sonically matched speakers and Balanced Double Surround System high-definition drivers to create an intense listening experience.
     4.8 Read reviews (24)
    Sale: $799.98
    Without having personal experience with that Boston Acoutic set, I cannot give an opinion based upon that. However, the Mirage nanosat set is great, 5.0 system for about $600 is a good deal, especially since the speakers are omni-directional. Omni-directional is great for more open rooms, as the speakers distribute the sound 360 degress rather than in a forward arc. Even turning the speakers backwards they still sound the same.
    Another option is the Definitive Technology PC600 5.1 System. A great full 5.1 system for $800 using small compact speakers with a full range of sound. Each speaker has a tweeter, a mid-range, as well as a small woofer giving you a full sound from each speaker. I would recommend heading into your local Best Buy with a Magnolia demo room to hear the Mirage Speakers as well as the PC600 set.
    For either system the Denon 1611, or 1911 would be perfect.
    The mirage set will be close to $1,500 or so, the Definitive set will put you about $1,300.
    Hope that helps out a little bit, however I'm sure mustang will have some other great options.
    Although I am a Home Theater Employee at Best Buy, all comments posted by myself are entirely personal opinions based upon my personal experiences both in store and at home. My opinions are my own, and are not those of Best Buy Stores, Geek Squad or any other Best Buy Brands.

  • Desktop/Finder keeps rebooting after upgraded to Maverick (mac mini hooked up to a home theater system)

    My desktop keeps rebooting ever since I upgraded to Mavericks.
    Current setup, Mac Mini hooked up to home theater (Panasonic SC-HTB20) that is then hooked up to my Panasonic Plasma TV.
    I usually leave my Mac Mini on running and at least once a day when I turn on the TV I can see that my desktop was rebooted. Firefox and Chrome will say that it wasn't shut down properly and if I want to restore my previous session. Also some times when I switched the input to watch TV and switch back, all my windows will be scattered out of place. For example Chrome will be in the top left hand corner to the point that it's almost minimized and I wouldn't be able to move it as well. Only thing I can do is close out these applications and relaunch them. It doesn't appear that the OS actually crashed, but more like the desktop/finder itself crashed. Cause once in a while I will switch back or turn on the TV and the screen will stay black for a few minutes then I'll see the cursor in the top right hand corner. After that I will start to see the desktop and my application start loading. It doesn't go through the regular process of rebooting where you see the Apple logo so I don't think the OS actually crashed but I could be wrong.
    For some reason it seems like Maverick doesn't like the home theater system. An almost guarantee way to reproduce the issue is to wait for the home theater to turn off after it's been inactive for a while. If I turn it on the home theater to have the audio coming from it I will see the desktop goes black immediately then the whole desktop reboot process I mentioned above will kick in.
    Never had any of these issues on 10.7 before I upgraded to Maverick.
    Anybody have any suggestion? I really don't want to format and downgrade back to 10.7.
    Thanks

    Sounds like a kernel panic.
    If you post the report we could have a go at deciphering it.
    It would be in /Library/Logs/Diagnostic Reports.

  • How to Connect My Apple TV to My Panasonic SC-PT760 Home Theater

    Hello;
    I currently use the Panasonic SC-PT760 as the Home Theater DVD Player which only has 1 HMDI output and connects directly to the HD TV, also I have the Direct TV connected to the Home Theather via AUX.
    I am wondering how should I connect my apple TV, if I would like to connect ut via HMDI. Is a HMDI switch an option or what should I do ?
    Please advise.

    You can purchase HDMI switches but don't expect them to work perfectly in _every_ configuration. What I mean is that your mileage may vary, it may work, or it may not. However, chances are good that it will but I'd make certain that you can return the HDMI switch if it doesn't work correctly when paired with you DVD player and the Apple TV and your HDTV.
    By the way, does your TV have component inputs? If so you can use the Apple TV's component outputs to get HD but then you'll have to route the audio from the Apple TV either over standard RCA stereo plugs or via the digital audio optical connection on the Apple TV (assuming again that your HDTV has optical audio inputs, but I see that you receiver has an optical input so that should work too).

  • How to connect a apple tv to a panasonic sa-pt860 home theater sound system?

    how do i connect my apple tv to a panasonic sa-pt860 home theater sound system? Having no luck, what leads do I need please?

    Welcome to the Apple Community.
    Does it have HDMI inputs and outputs.

  • How to connect Apple TV to projector and home theater system?

    I have an Optoma HD20 projector that I have a long hdmi cable connected to and plugged that into my Apple TV. I also have an older home theater system that does not have an optical audio input. So I bought an adapter to go from optical audio to RCA cables. When I get it all plugged in and turned on I can't even get the video on my screen. What am I missing?
    This is the adapter...
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005F20756

    Darn. Ok. Then do you have any suggestions for other options to connect the two? My projector is mounted to the middle of the ceiling with a whole for the wires that go along inside the ceiling to the other side of the room.

  • IMAC =HDTV&HOME THEATER

    How can i connect my IMAC to both HDTV(LG) and LG surround system (home theater) and get everything to work as one i.e IMAC to work on both TV & SURROUND SYSTEM. I got HDMI cables . I will appreciate  your help.

    I don't think it work work for HD, at 800 MHz G4. Not enough graphics or CPU processing power to display HD at full screen without a lot of dropped frames.
    Also, there is no way to connect a digital display over HDMI. You may be able to get acceptable standard def results with connecting it over VGA or other analog connection, but I believe an iMac G4 only mirrors the built-in display. So it may be stuck at 1024x768 as the max resolution. A typical HDTV's native resolution is 1920x1080.
    You should test the output from the mini-VGA port using a regular multi-sync CRT display, if you happen to have one collecting dust or know someone that has one. See what resolutions you can achieve. You won't get any better if you connect it to an HDTV.

  • How to connect mid 2012 MacBook Pro to home theater system

    Okay so I'm looking at purchasing a home theater system and was wanting to know the best way to connect my mid 2012 MacBook Pro to the home theater system and TV. I am wanting to play both movies (Netflix etc) and music. Will my MacBook play 5.1 surround sound to the home theater system? Whats the best way to connect this all up? MacBook audio to the home theater system via Digital Optical from the headphone port with a 3.5mm to toslink adapter and then video to the TV via HDMI cable from the thunderbolt port with thunderbolt to HDMI adapter? My thinking was to separate the video and audio to get the best picture and sound. Any help/advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

    Will my MacBook play 5.1 surround sound to the home theater system?
    Yes.
    Whats the best way to connect this all up?
    An AppleTV or any AirPlay-enabled AVR. AirPlay is wireless, though you could use wired Ethernet if you want to avoid all the potential problems associated with wireless. Make sure it specifically says AirPlay which is Apple's proprietary technology. There are quite a few of them to choose from today. Denon is one, I believe Pioneer, there may be others. Shop around. The AppleTV's price was recently reduced to $69 US and may actually be the most cost-effective solution, allowing you to research the best AVR for your needs. The AppleTV has both HDMI (audio and video) and optical audio outputs.
    MacBook audio to the home theater system via Digital Optical from the headphone port with a 3.5mm to toslink adapter and then video to the TV via HDMI cable from the thunderbolt port with thunderbolt to HDMI adapter?
    Way too complicated But if you really don't want to use AirPlay, you can purchase an inexpensive (< $10) Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter and an equally inexpensive (<$3) HDMI cable to any HDMI input on your AVR.
    My thinking was to separate the video and audio to get the best picture and sound.
    It makes absolutely no difference. HDMI and optical audio use completely identical digital audio signals.

  • Help on purchasing a Home Theater System...

    Hi everyone,
    I just bought a new HDTV and I am now looking into getting a good Home Theater System, since as I'm sure you all know, the speakers on my TV are pretty pathetic.
    But in all honestly, I really don't know much at all about speakers and home theater systems, so that's why I'm here.
    I hear that most home theater systems come with DVD and Bluray players, but I don't need either of those, since my ps3 and 360 give me 2 DVD players and a Bluray player already.
    I am really looking to spend less than 400 bucks, or around that area if possible.
    I also have one question: My HDTV only has 2 HDMI ports and one Component port and since I am using both of those (HDMI is being used for the cable and ps3 and component is used for my 360) I am wondering if there is some other way of connecting the Home Theater System?
    Thanks in advance for all your help.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    paulmohr wrote:
    Ok after looking at the manual for that reciever this is what I come up with.
    One HDMI cable running from your PS3 to the reciever (BD in would be my choice)
    One HDMI cable running from your Cable box to the receiver (dvd in would by my choice)
    Now for you Xbox 360 you said you have the component cables for it, from what I can tell you can also get an HDMI connector as well. What you choose is up to you but this is how it would work.
    Xbox with component cables:
    Since the receiver doesn't have component swtiching you would have to hook the xbox up to your tv with the component cables ( the way it is now).
    Then run an optical audio cable from the xbox to the receiver SAT optical in.
    If you get the HDMI cable most likely you would just run the HDMI cable from the Xbox to the receiver like the other components. If you went this route I would hook the xbox to the dvd hdmi in and the cable box to the SAT hdmi in though. Honestly it doesn't matter but it just might be less confusing that way.
    Then you would need on optical cable running from the TV out to the TV in on the reciever. If you never watch regular tv you don't need this since the sound will come from your cable box anyway. But if you also have the tv hooked up to an antenna or something this will send the sound to the receiver.
    And one HDMI cable running from the Receiver out to on the HDMI inputs on the tv. This is what will carry all of the signals going into your receiver to your tv.
    And then the speakers connections which should be described in the instructions for the receiver. Just make sure the polarity is right when you connect them.
    This configuration will let you control most or all of the components through the receiver since it switches most of them. Just choose the correct input and the tv will display it.
    Okay, so according to that, I would need 4 HDMI cables to my HDTV, which would be impossible.... Unfortunately, my new HDTV only has 2 HDMI porsts, so is there a way to get around that issue? If I use HDMI for the ps3 and HD cable box, then is there a way to hook everything else up (including the reciever) without HDMI?
    Thanks in advance.

  • Dolby DIGItal HOME THEATER cannot be installed after upgrading to Windows 8.1

    Hi there,
    today i was forced by microsoft to upgrade from windows 8 to windows 8.1 I have problem with installing Dolby Digitial Theater Home app. I unistalled previous conexant drivers (windows 8) and installed new conexant (for windows8.1). I removed dolby. Then i went to C/Drivers/WIN/Audio/DolbyGUI/ there is setup.exe, dolbydigitalplusAA.msi and dolbydigitalplusHT.msi. THe setup.exe doesnt start installation, plusHT(home theater) gives message saying - cannot installed due to an error. However I can install dolby digital advanced audio, but I want my Home Theater back!!!! Can you please help me resolve this matter.... thank you
    I have lenovo edge E531 with 8gb ram, intel core i5-3230M 2.6GHz, GeForce 740M

    hi sotim01,
    Thanks for posting!
    1. Uninstall all components,
            Open Device Manager and Uninstall your Conexant audio under Sound and ganing controllers (make sure to place a check under delete driver software for this device)
    2. Open Control Panel Uninstall a program and highlight the dolby component and an Uninstall button will appear.
    3. Open your C: drive and Delete any folder that says drivers if non then continue with the next step
    4. Download this Driver for installation
            Conexant Audio Driver  
    Install it and continue
    5. Open Drive C: now and you should have the Drivers folder back.
          Open that, Open Connexant Open Dolby Gui,  then you should have Dolbyaa for Advanced audio.
    Restart your PC and there you go!
    Let me know your findings
    Cheers!
    Did someone help you today? Press the star on the left to thank them with a Kudo!
    If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please mark it as an "Accepted Solution"! This will help the rest of the Community with similar issues identify the verified solution and benefit from it.
    Follow @LenovoForums on Twitter!

  • Can I connect my iMac's iTunes library via wi-fi to my Blu-Ray player so I can listen to the music on my computer with my home theater system?

    My music library is on my iMac, located in a different room of the house than my home theater system with a decent Denon receiver and good Infinity towers. I have an iPod connector to the Denon which I can use, but the iPod has a limited library of songs, so I would like to somehow access my iMac music library and be able to play it through the home theater system. Hard wiring the components is out of the question due to length of run through several rooms of the house, no basement and cathedral ceilings. I already have my iMac and my Panasonic Blu-Ray player both connected to my wi-fi, and it seems there should be a way to connect both of them using the wi-fi. The blu-ray player is DLNA, but the Mac isn't, so that is out of the question. Is there any other way to get these components to talk to each other over wi-fi?

    There is a DLNA media server called MediaLink that is designed for use with the Play Station 3.  It is not advertised as working with other DLNA clients but it usually will.  I use it to stream audio, video and pictures to a WDTV media player in my bedroom.  Works great, even supports iTunes playlists.  I believe it still has a free trial period so you can see if it works with your player.

  • How do I connect the ipod nono 7th gen. to Panasonic home theater sound system

    I ordered an ipod nano for my daughter for christmas as her old original ipod died. She has a Panasonic home theater sound system (SA-PT950) that came with a little dedicated ipod station to connect her ipod to and get surround sound music. Now I see the 7th gen. nano has a different interface and won't work in this station. Is there an adapter available or does anyone know another way to connect it? Thanks

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD823ZM/A/lightning-to-30-pin-adapter?fnode=72

  • How do I connect the Apple TV to the home theater if the optical audio port is in use

    I had an airport express connected from the home theater system to the speaker out port on the express through which air play worked just fine. Then the express wouldn't work with my new router so I looked for something to replace it. The new Airport Express was the same price as the Apple TV and so I went with it for the added HDMI from NetFlix benefits. Now I find that the cables I used on the express won't work on the Apple TV. It wants an optical cable but there is only one port on the speakers and it is needed to get the sound from the TV to the speakers. So, is here a work around? An adapter or something? What I really wanted it for more than anything else was to use air play to get my music from the computer to the theater speakers.

    I have a further question about this. It turns out I do have 2 optical audio ports but I was told I wouldn't need it if it was connected via hdmi. I have 4 ports and they are all in use so the question is whether the best solution is to just get an optical audio cable and connect it directly or get an hdmi splitter so I can add in the Apple TV?

  • Connection Error with iPod mini to Bose Home Theater System

    When connecting my iPod mini to my Bose Home Theater system, it recognizes that iPod has been connected, but after the "Acquiring Signal" process, it gives me an "iPod connection error. Please re-insert iPod into docking station." I tried several times, but the result is the same.
    My iPod mini has been updated with the latest software, and I did a system restore to return everything to factory defaults, but still no luck.
    Any suggestions.

    Hi. What you need to do is Launch DVD Player. Go to Preferences. Select Disc Setup tab. In Audio Output under Audio in the second part of the menu, select Digital Out-Built-in-Output. Then click OK. See if this works, 'cause mine does.

Maybe you are looking for