Help - what goes where!

[Samantha31]

Hi

I am in urgent need of a little feedback which might help me get this *new* system hooked up! I just picked all of this up on Saturday and although I have the TV and DVD working, I have no clue as to where to begin with the rest of this system.

Here is what I have...

46" Sharp Aquos LCD
Toshiba HD-A30 HD-DVD
Polk RM6750 Audio System
Yamaha HTR-6030 Receiver
Satellite Receiver

The problem I'm having is that the Yamaha manual tells me to connect a subwoofer cable from the receiver to the subwoofer. The receiver has one jack for this connection, and the subwoofer has to inputs. When I review the 4 page Polk manual it doesn't even mention the subwoofer jack on the receiver???

Are these 2 pieces compatible or was I duped at the store?

My current configuration is pretty basic since I don't have the receiver or speakers set up. I have my satellite feed coming in and going through the monster power bar and connected to my satellite receiver and then to the TV all using the basic coaxial cable. My HD-DVD is hooked up to the TV using my only HDMI Cable.

I have plenty of speaker wire, as well a single, double, and triple RCA jack type connectors. Perhaps I need other connectors/splitters?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Sammi

[beardog03]

you should be able to go out of the receiver to any of the two inputs on the back of the sub

Just make sure the power is turned off on the receiver when plugging in Interconnects and cables, as not to damage the speaker(s)

[Samantha31]

Thanks for the quick reply...

The sub inputs are listed as line-in left and right. Which made me wonder if I should have a splitter???

Also what jacks should I use between the HD-DVD and Receiver? I can't figure out why the receiver manual wants me to connect video from the DVD to the receiver???

:-P

[appadv]

Thanks for the quick reply...

The sub inputs are listed as line-in left and right. Which made me wonder if I should have a splitter???

Also what jacks should I use between the HD-DVD and Receiver? I can't figure out why the receiver manual wants me to connect video from the DVD to the receiver???

:-P

You can use a splitter for the line-in jacks, which basically takes the receiver's LFE out and connects it to the left and right Line-in terminals on the sub.

Also, you can connect the HD-DVD through the receiver, but for best picture quality I would recommend using a HDMI cable to connect it directly to the TV. I used to connect my DVD through the receiver but going directly to my projector/TV gave better picture quality.

[Samantha31]

Thanks for the tips guys....

I have surround sound!

I decided to hook the sub cable directly from the yamaha receiver sub-out jack to the subwoofer's right side line-in. Then from thee I just hooked the center, front, and surround speaks up directly from the receiver. Then turned the low pass filter fully clockwise, and setting all the speakers to small, crossover to 120Hz

The DVD is connected directly to the TV using HDMI cable, while the DVD is connected to receiver, using the DVD's analog audio line-out connected to the receivers DVD analog line-in.

Anyone know if this set up is optimal? Or should I invest in different cable types to improve sound?

Thanks again!
Sammi

[beardog03]

Try setting the sub x-over to 80hz...you may like it better as the sub will dig deeper

I use a toslink optical cable from the dvd to the receiver...YMMV

and like it was stated before, you will get a better picture the way you have it...dvd straight to the tv

Enjoy !


Oh !
And Welcome to Club Polk !

We have a couple of Beatiful Ladies here at CP....it`s nice to have another one !
Stick around and have some fun !

[RuSsMaN]

Download, print and read a copy of the Home Theater Handbook (http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/hthandbook.pdf).

Also, check out the Education Section (http://www.polkaudio.com/education/index.php) of the website, for lots of useful information.

Welcome to the boards, and thanks for choosing Polk Audio!

Cheers,
Russ

[cfrizz]

Welcome Sammi. Sounds like you have it all hooked up right. Just adjust your sub crossover as suggested, & enjoy!

Cathy

[beardog03]

Um yeah...

What Russ said !

You , um...know how to , um give good advise there Russ...!

I was going to get to that , really....!!!!!

[dorokusai]

If you have a single cable going to your subwoofer and it's working....move on to the next project. You don't need a splitter or another cable for your subwoofer.

P.S. I apologize in advance and welcome to the fray.

[Samantha31]

Download, print and read a copy of the Home Theater Handbook (http://www.polkaudio.com/downloads/hthandbook.pdf).

Also, check out the Education Section (http://www.polkaudio.com/education/index.php) of the website, for lots of useful information.

Welcome to the boards, and thanks for choosing Polk Audio!

Cheers,
Russ

LOL Russ, I already have 4 new manuals with 3 new remotes, and you want me to read more :-)

Buy the way...what do you guys consider to be the best unversal remote?

Thanks again for everything!
Sammi

[Polkitup2]

I don't know if it is the "best" remote, but the Harmony 880 remote is darn good.

[engtaz]

Harmony 55O can be had for $79 on Amazon. I use this remote and like it.

engtaz

[reeltrouble1]

Oh sammi, how I love you, how I love you, my dear ole sammi........

Sorry:o I could not help it.

Welcome to Club Polk. Oh yea, as you can see I am nuts. I would use a digital cable for sound.

RT1

[peffy03]

i use a sony remote commander with a touch screen you can get these online for under 100 and they work great. they have 4 ir sensors to send signals and the range is incredible. also learning commands is really easy. the touch screen has buttons you can change the text on so you can add commands your other remotes have that many universals dont.

[dorokusai]

I'd throw another vote for the Harmony remote control.

[xandra]

I prefer Universal Remote RF-20 (or 30) over the Harmony (I have 890?).

Here's why...

Universal Remote brand (RF-20) Cons:
* you have to do the standard code lookup.
* Commands/butttons are 'device type' generic, so they may or may not apply to your specific device.
* poor backlight

Pros:
* Extraordinarily easy to program - I've yet to find something I can't do in seconds. It's a piece o' cake to add macros, rename commands, reassign buttons to suit your needs.
* Very reliable - maintains your settings for a long... time should battery go.
* Can copy your stuff from one remote to another (very useful when you have similar devices in different locations)
*extremely powerful wide beam, (works well thru my cabinet's glass doors, even when misaimed and blocked by framing)
* Has cheap optional RF 'PowerBlaster' for operating stuff up to 100' thru walls etc.



Harmony Remote Cons:
* Logitech's software is IMHO:gawdawful, uninintuitive and SLOW. - I personally can't bear having to go back to the computer just to change one simple item. f anything requires manual tweeking - it's very awkward.

* There aren't as many consistent buttons, so: it's hard to develope an instinct as to what's where, and you end up needing to scroll page after page.

* Pseudo macros on first page that appears with default buttons of "Turn on Cable, DVD, etc" is essentially pointless unless the bulk of your devices have dedicated On and Off Buttons (rather than a toggle) you're in for a real pain, if you accidently hit a button, or dare to use another remote...

* You need to keep the device in powered cradle... and STILL have to replace batteries.

Harmony Remote Pros:
There's one but it's significant: It really does automatically add all model specific commands (rather than generic device commands)
Oh yes, there is another, they've got phone tech support.

UPSHOT:
UPSHOT: in the end it was far quicker and easier to program the RF20

But Like most stuff your choice is personal,
IF you really desire the Harmony's Advantages, it's likely you'll prefer a Harmony.

[McLoki]

Try setting the sub x-over to 80hz...you may like it better as the sub will dig deeper

I use a toslink optical cable from the dvd to the receiver...YMMV

For the RM speakers you have, you really want to set the crossover at about 150. (test up and down one setting from there) (the RM series has a crossover built in to protect the woofers and they won't play below 150hz. That is why they recommend the speaker wire method of hooking up the sub. (When they first started recommending it, most AVR's did not have adjustable crossovers).

I use optical from my HD-DVD to my preamp. If your AVR has inputs for HDMI, use the HDMI cable from your DVD - to AVR - to TV. HDMI is the only way to pass high definition sound to your AVR. (or pre-outs, but we won't go there right now) If it is a standard DVD player - sorry, Toslink (optical) is fine.

Welcome to club polk. If unsure about any of my answers, (or anyone elses for that matter) just ask for clarification. We all started where you are now...

Michael

[mark090852]

I can highly recommend the Harmony 1000 touchscreen remote. It works beautifully for me. I don't have any of the issues that Xandra seems to experience. The software is very easy to follow to set up the remote or make changes. One press of an activity button such as "Watch a DVD" and it powers on all the appropriate devices and sets the proper inputs. All my devices have power on power off toggle switches and there's never been a problem setting up the remote to work properly. I can jump from one activity to another with one press of the button and it powers off what isn't needed and powers on what is needed.

If you think you might go the Harmony route be sure to check around online for the best price. List price is $499 but you can get it for WAY less at Amazon and some other places.

[Samantha31]

Wow!!! Thanks again for all the quick and informative replies! Due to the cost of the equipment I just bought last weekend I may have to pass on a universal remote for now. Besides, a wall mount is next on my list. I think I may just duct tape all four remotes together for the next couple months :-)

As for the system it seems to be working fine...great sound...until I somehow mess up my settings on this %#%&^&* Yamaha 6030 receiver :-)

Thanks again everyone!
Sammi

[McLoki]

Cheapest place I have seen for wall mounts is MonoPrice. (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10828) Be sure and pay attention to their customer reviews on the products you are thinking about. Some are really great for the price, others - you seem to get what you pay for.

I have been very happy with all the purchases I have made there. (1 wall mount for a bedroom tv and some HDMI cables.)

Michael

[Samantha31]

Thanks for the tip. I will have to check if they deliver to Canada...

If I lived in the States and got the prices you guys have I would own one hell of a system! As it is my brother can't believe his little sister owns a better system than he does :-)

I have 25 days left to return something from my system I don't like and was wondering waht the gurus on here think of the Denon A/V Receiver (AVR-588) as opposed to my Yamaha HRT 6030??? The Denon is on sale and is a 7.1 AVR

Any thoughts?

[Pauly_9]

hey guys i know this is not on the topic............just wondering how would u go about installing a 12vcar stereo to the home (240v AC) and would there be any interferance with the audio clarity??

Thnakz alot
cheers
Paul

[bigaudiofanatic]

LOL Russ, I already have 4 new manuals with 3 new remotes, and you want me to read more :-)

Buy the way...what do you guys consider to be the best unversal remote?

Thanks again for everything!
Sammi

ALL of the harmony remotes are great easy to setup easy to use.

[disneyjoe7]

hey guys i know this is not on the topic............just wondering how would u go about installing a 12vcar stereo to the home (240v AC) and would there be any interferance with the audio clarity??

Thnakz alot
cheers
Paul


Paul I answered your question on the other post.


Welcome to Polk Forums. :)

[Samantha31]

So today I figured out how to re-assign my receiver's CD optical input to DVD optical input...and just to show off I renamed the input HD-DVD... Weeeeeeeeeee

LOL - 2 weeks ago I had these components and empty boxes all over my family room and was about to pack them up and take them back :-)

Thanks for everything guys...and gals ;-)

[lightman1]

Now sit back and enjoy the fruits of your reprogramming. But it never ends there......:)

[cfrizz]

Terrific! Enjoy Sammi!

[obieone]

Welcome to the forum.
As far as upgrading your recvr. goes, I have a Denon, it has a BUNCH of features.
I'm not trying to suay you either way, but I have seen comments-not here-from people that thought the Denon was too confusing to work with. I can understand that.
I've had mine for 2 years, and still haven't maximized it to it's full potential
With that said, if you've got a handle on the Yamaha, leave it and enjoy it.
Good luck

[Samantha31]

LOL ...thanks for the advice

I was thinking the same thing last night. Starting to get this thing figured out, don't want to go through another manual anytime soon :-)

Sammi

[ninerbj]

Welcome Samantha. Enjoy your new toys!