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rhdj
rhdj
Last reply · posted in General Home Theater Equipment

newbie home theater question.

I Am looking at getting a Sony HT system fo my HDTV thru a vip722, Xbox, DVD, playstation2 and Wii. Right now the 722 uses hdmi,the dvd player uses component,xbox uses component, and the playstation/Wii uses the AV (they hook up to a switch) all to my TV. My 722, dvd, TV and xbox have optical outs. Do all these have to hook up to the HT system directly or can I just use the light coming from my TV and get 5.1 from everything hooked thru the TV. At first I thought I could, but after some research I think I was sadly mistaken. I was just looking for a simply setup without having to buy a bunch of new cables. My TV is a Samsung DLP with only 1 hdmi, 2 comp, 3av, 1dvi, and the standard coax stuff. Just point me in the right direction. There may be no way without going high dollar. Thanks.:confused:
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charper1
charper1
I can't DITTO enough about the need to stay away from anything HTIB (or all-in-one)!
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A
Andrewwski
1. That budget doesn't get you much.

2. Sony isn't that good.

3. You can use coax instead of optical if you have digital audio coax outs.
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griz_fan
griz_fan
$500 will get you in the game. Most home theater in a box systems aren't that good, and usually lack even basic input options, but there are exceptions. As mentioned earlier, Shop Onkyo has some great options, such as this system:
The Onkyo HT-SR800 - 7.1-Channel Receiver/ Speaker Package
It has two optical and two coaxial digital audio inputs, as well as a host of other input options. The speakers are OK, but definitely the best for this price range. Still, a 7.1 system for $320 shipped is hard to ignore.


For cables, all you need to do is go to Monoprice.com. Great cables, great service, rock-bottom prices.

You could get the HT-SR800 home theater system, all the cables you need and a Harmony 670 remote to control everything for less than $500, including shipping and sales tax. You'll get good sound, lots of expansion options and easy control without blowing your budget. Remember, there's lots of people on these forums who will give you the "for only $XXX.XX more..." advice because it is easy to spend other people's money.
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Kevinw
Kevinw
Good find Griz, Nothing to fear about refurb products either.
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goresnet
goresnet
I know it's a little off topic, but does the vip722 not output 5.1 over HDMI? I get sound out through my hdmi, but is the optical required to be connected to get the 5.1 audio?
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Foxbat
Foxbat
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

New Apple TV 4K released, plus other Apple Home devices.

Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.

At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
www.apple.com

Apple TV 4K

Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
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Ronnie-
Ronnie-
Meh. The 4Ks I have will do everything that these do that I need them to do.


Which that's most tech these days for anything released the last four to five years.


It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.
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navychop
navychop
Ronnie- said:
It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.
Click to expand...

Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
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navychop
navychop
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
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KAB
KAB
navychop said:
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
Click to expand...
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
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S
slow_poke_pete
navychop said:
Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
Click to expand...
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade.. :what. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
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ncted
ncted
slow_poke_pete said:
ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade
Click to expand...
No. Makes me wonder if that is Apple or the carrier. I am on pre-paid, so I never get "an upgrade." I still have my old iPhone 11 Pro as a second line, and it runs iOS 27 just fine. My iPhone Air, which is still a current model, doesn't really seem that much faster in regular use. It is better in other ways, and worse in some ways than the 11 Pro (size), but performance really isn't a big differentiator, especially since I replaced the battery in the 11 Pro. If I had gotten enough storage when I originally bought the 11 Pro, it could still be my primary device with no issues.
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ncted
ncted
KAB said:
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
Click to expand...
Yeah, they boot up a bit slower than Roku, but the OS does a lot more, so it makes sense. How often are you booting them up that is a differentiator? Aside from OS updates, mine are on all the time. I will say the ATV4K is generally quicker than the Roku Ultras I have, when it comes to launching apps and responsiveness, not that the Roku is sluggish.
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navychop
navychop
slow_poke_pete said:
apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
Click to expand...

What software? For iPhones? I tried to buy some image s/w IN THE APPLE STORE! They had none, and could not offer ANY s/w for iPhones
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

This Week in Space 232

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Edq2eavsQ


Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 232
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oRVxjGm0qtE


Direct YouTube Link - Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TFLEV
· posted in TFLEV

Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!

Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyF_RH1m0mc


Direct YouTube Link - Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

The Apple HomeView

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0k5iT-OlpdE


Direct YouTube Link - The Apple HomeView
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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osu1991
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

Frisco King - Paramount Plus


View: https://youtu.be/RHYQYYm5jLM?is=cwxm9t1efsWNl6yy


December 18, 2026 Paramount plus
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
osu1991 said:

View: https://youtu.be/RHYQYYm5jLM?is=cwxm9t1efsWNl6yy


December 18, 2026 Paramount plus
Click to expand...

Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Howard Simmons said:
Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
Click to expand...
But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city :rolleyes:
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T
Therm
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Am I the only one that hates what Dish did to their mobile app?

I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
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Juan
Juan
Not alot of dish customers any more
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Foxbat
Foxbat
I'm not a big fan of the new layout, especially on my Apple TV. It used to look like the old Guide layout on the Hopper 3, but they changed parts of that, too.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
I really dislike change for the sake of change
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TheRatPatrol
TheRatPatrol
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

NCIS

Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Jimbo
Jimbo said:

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share
Click to expand...

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Jimbo said:
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
Click to expand...
Tony as the director.🙄
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Howard Simmons said:
Tony as the director.🙄
Click to expand...
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
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dfergie
dfergie
I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Jimbo said:
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
Click to expand...
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Howard Simmons said:
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
Click to expand...
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk

Trailer for new Jim Caviezel movie Ghost Soldier

Might be worth a watch when it comes out. Looks like typical big corp against the little guy movie BUT....there is a reason this plot type is so oft repeated, it draws audiences.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-f9OGsKHd4
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dishstaller
dishstaller
BTW, I noticed right after I posted this that someone else had already mentioned it....sorry for the duplicate thread. Still looking forward to seeing the movie.
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meStevo
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk

Project Hail Mary

If you're going try to read / listen to the book (can't recommend the audio book enough) before this comes out, I'd avoid trailers.

Trailer below, spoiling it to make sure you read the above bold message first. The book / audio book are fantastic. Go into this blind if you can IMO!


View: https://youtu.be/m08TxIsFTRI



Kind of disappointed at how much they show. A lot still to see, but man, some good reveals in the book that are just served up here.
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meStevo
meStevo
I've seen it twice. Can't recommend the audio book enough, Ray Porter's performance is amazing and there's so much more in the book than the movie.
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Foxbat
Foxbat
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
www.ign.com

'It Is Time Go!' — Project Hail Mary Is Officially Coming to Prime Video

Amazon has confirmed that Project Hail Mary will be coming to Prime Video.
www.ign.com www.ign.com
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K
klang
Forgot to comment. I did watch when it first came out on MGM. I enjoyed it a lot. I think reading the book made it easier to watch. Several friends commented it was a little hard to follow.
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TRG
TRG
"astrophage". I read the book but didn't see the film yet.
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Foxbat said:
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
www.ign.com

'It Is Time Go!' — Project Hail Mary Is Officially Coming to Prime Video

Amazon has confirmed that Project Hail Mary will be coming to Prime Video.
www.ign.com www.ign.com
Click to expand...
That's what I will be watching this weekend.🤗
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K
klang
Kindle book on sale for $2.99 today at Amazon.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
meStevo said:
.........there's so much more in the book than the movie.
Click to expand...
I agree. That can go for pretty much any book vs movie. Back when I was single I would read any Stephen King or John Grisham book I could get my hands on. When you read a book you make up the scenes and characters in your mind.....the movie version always disappoints.
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