Setting up Home Theater: Question on Sound from TV

seadoons
seadoons Posts: 46
edited December 2009 in Electronics
I am in the process of setting up a new home theater. I am going to buy the Onkyo SR607 receiver. I will funnel my DVD player and AT&T Uverse cable boxes through the receiver via HDMI cables. My question is: will I be able to watch/listen to the cable box through my regular TV speakers? I don't want to have the surround sound on all of the time.
On a UPS truck on the way to my house as of 12/09/09:

Fronts: Polk RTi4
Center: Polk CSi3
Rears: Polk RC85i (in-ceiling)
Sub: Polk PSW110

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR607

Patio: Polk Atrium 45

Accessories: Onkyo UP-HTI HD Radio Receiver, SIRIUS SUPH1 Home Kit, Onkyo UP-A1 I-Pod Dock
Post edited by seadoons on
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited December 2009
    seadoons wrote: »
    I am in the process of setting up a new home theater. I am going to buy the Onkyo SR607 receiver. I will funnel my DVD player and AT&T Uverse cable boxes through the receiver via HDMI cables. My question is: will I be able to watch/listen to the cable box through my regular TV speakers? I don't want to have the surround sound on all of the time.
    Simple matter for you to set your TV to internal speakers for TV watching and external speakers when using your HT gear.

    Cheers!
    TK
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited December 2009
    Depends on if your receiver does HDMI pass through as well as decoding it. You can also just run a set of RCA's to your tv from the cable box too.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    Yes, most TV's decode the HDMI audio even if it's passed through.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • seadoons
    seadoons Posts: 46
    edited December 2009
    I guess where my concern lies is that the video and sound signal from my cable box will be coming through the receiver first on its way to the TV. Does the receiver have a pass through mode that will allow the signal to travel through even when it is not on?
    On a UPS truck on the way to my house as of 12/09/09:

    Fronts: Polk RTi4
    Center: Polk CSi3
    Rears: Polk RC85i (in-ceiling)
    Sub: Polk PSW110

    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR607

    Patio: Polk Atrium 45

    Accessories: Onkyo UP-HTI HD Radio Receiver, SIRIUS SUPH1 Home Kit, Onkyo UP-A1 I-Pod Dock
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    It depends on the receiver. Does the 607 have a setup menu that allows HDMI pass-through?
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited December 2009
    It is however best to hook-up the video straight to your TV NOT the receiver. Remember, the more components involved the more signal degradation.

    Cheers!
    TK
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited December 2009
    Your cable box will have an optical digital audio out, just plug that into your TV and bypass the receiver, that way you can have the option of using the surround sound or the TV speakers for watching TV.
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • seadoons
    seadoons Posts: 46
    edited December 2009
    The 607 specs say HDMI pass through. Just tell me it can be done and I am going to hit the order button...
    On a UPS truck on the way to my house as of 12/09/09:

    Fronts: Polk RTi4
    Center: Polk CSi3
    Rears: Polk RC85i (in-ceiling)
    Sub: Polk PSW110

    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR607

    Patio: Polk Atrium 45

    Accessories: Onkyo UP-HTI HD Radio Receiver, SIRIUS SUPH1 Home Kit, Onkyo UP-A1 I-Pod Dock
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 961
    edited December 2009
    I go straight to the TV with HDMI then back to receiver with optical Audio from the TV.
    (My receiver doesn't have HDMI.)

    That gives me the option to either use the receiver or not.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • Slinger182
    Slinger182 Posts: 512
    edited December 2009
    I run the HDMI to my reciever and component to my TV. Then I just switch inputs when I want to run my reciever.
    Panny 55-st30 plasma
    Pioneer vsx-1121
    Parasound 2100 pre
    b&k tx4430 amp
    Oppo bdp-83
    Monster HTS 3500
    polk TSi500s Vr3 Fortress modded
    polk CS20 center channel Vr3 Castle modded
    polk Owm 3 surrounds
    polk PSW505
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    phipiper10 wrote: »
    I go straight to the TV with HDMI then back to receiver with optical Audio from the TV.
    (My receiver doesn't have HDMI.)

    That gives me the option to either use the receiver or not.

    Same here.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • seadoons
    seadoons Posts: 46
    edited December 2009
    Thanks. At least I know that I have options and that it can be done!
    On a UPS truck on the way to my house as of 12/09/09:

    Fronts: Polk RTi4
    Center: Polk CSi3
    Rears: Polk RC85i (in-ceiling)
    Sub: Polk PSW110

    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR607

    Patio: Polk Atrium 45

    Accessories: Onkyo UP-HTI HD Radio Receiver, SIRIUS SUPH1 Home Kit, Onkyo UP-A1 I-Pod Dock
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited December 2009
    domflane wrote: »
    Your cable box will have an optical digital audio out, just plug that into your TV and bypass the receiver, that way you can have the option of using the surround sound or the TV speakers for watching TV.
    I'd say this is your best option.
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    You can also run a pair of analog IC's from the cable box too. This is what I'm currently using.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited December 2009
    TECHNOKID wrote: »
    I'd say this is your best option.

    How so? Most tvs have optical OUT not an optical IN.
    Serendipity wrote: »
    You can also run a pair of analog IC's from the cable box too. This is what I'm currently using.

    That's what I said already! :)
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    nguyendot wrote: »
    How so? Most tvs have optical OUT not an optical IN.

    Some actually do have optical IN. But you're right, optical out is more common (vs. having both).
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited December 2009
    seadoons wrote: »
    I am in the process of setting up a new home theater. I am going to buy the Onkyo SR607 receiver. I will funnel my DVD player and AT&T Uverse cable boxes through the receiver via HDMI cables. My question is: will I be able to watch/listen to the cable box through my regular TV speakers? I don't want to have the surround sound on all of the time.
    good question, I was wondering the same thing. I will be using an SR507 set up this weekend. Thanks for asking.
    TECHNOKID wrote: »
    Simple matter for you to set your TV to internal speakers for TV watching and external speakers when using your HT gear.

    Cheers!
    TK

    Is this set by the TV or the AVR?
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
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